The Washington times., 1905-11-23
CLAIM To DUKEDON
STRANGELY BACKED
Company Shares Sold on
London Stock Exchange.
ARE IN BRISK DEMAND
If the Tide Is Established the Stock
holders WIN Win Millions.
Can Lose All.
ARE IN BRISK DEMAND

LONDON. Nov. 23.-Events in connec-
tion with the prosecution OF the Druce
claim 10 the Dukedom Of Portland and
its vast estates. worth several millions,
are developing rapidly. A public COM
pany-G. H Drl.cs, Limited-has been
formed to take over the claim. This
company has now been hoated, its
shares are available for public pur-
chase. and during the last week they
have been dealt in TO some considerable
extent on the stock exchange.
T. X Y. Coburn, who has been ex-
clusiveIy occupied with the Druce case
since 1902. gave some particulars Of the
company yesterday.
-'Sharesfof G. II. Druce, Limited, are
being dealt in OF the stock exchange, =
said Mr.. CobUrn. During the last few
days several blocks OF shares have
changed hands. The s1 snares are at a
premium of los and are selling for 30s.
each.
The company is now the assignee CT
ali rights and claims that ever arose,
or ever cen arise. in favor of O. H
Druce. the claimant to the estates, re-
lating to the original allegation that
Thomas Charles Druce, Of the Baker
Street Bazaar. was in fact not Druee
at all. but the fifth Duke of Portland
masqueradlng under that name.
Commercial Dealing.
.-For long time I had to give my at
tention TO meeting objections OF tech
nical nature raised By solicitors and
counsel, who have carefully investigated
the claims Of G. H. Druce. Unimport-
ant as these were as compared with the
main question-Ts G. H. Druce the
grandson of duke or of a draper?'-
they ali had TO be disposed of TO the
complete Subtraction OF these LAWYERS
before they. could certify the claims Of
G. IA Druce, to be a st subject for
commercial dealing.
Il am now able to state that the mat
ter is on such arsoend and satisfactory
basis that every element Of uncertainty
has been eliminated. and that q. H.
Druce's claim now stands or falls on
the sole question. Was Thomas CnaFies
Druce. OF the Baker Street Bazaar,
draper Or a duke. or bOthT
III il be established that Al.a=zzaS :
Charles Druce was a duke, then q. II,
Iruce's claims are worth millions II u
be not established that T. G Druce was
a duke. then G. H. fruce's claims are
worth nothing.
--If Druce was the duke. everything
follows, and the company IS one or tns
richest in Eurcpe-per rhaps IN the woriu
If Druce was not the duke, then Ihe
ccuDauy Is absolutely without assets
and every shareholder VIII lose hl'
The company was registered at Somer
set House on July - 1865. with capita
OF e1l 0o1, made up OF 1900 ordinari
shares Of e1 each. and 200 deferred
shares OF Is each
Vendors Shares.
In purchase of c. H Druce's claims
the company allotted 10 him the 1000
ordinary shares. which. under the arti
clcs OF associations. have a face value
OF e1 per snare. and are entitled Z
a distribution Of the company's assets
on winding-up OF an amount per shar'
equal TO 100 times their face value o.
81 per share
IN plain English. Mr.. coburn. ex
planned, 'sthe holder Of a ei Ordinar,
snare VIII be entitled, on a distribution
of the company's assets TO Gl00 PEI
share for each .e1 share he holds, s.
that by purchasing ten ordinary shares
IA the company known as G. II Druce
I.sfnited . buyer viii be getting scriI
worth either EI.0o0 or nothing-el COO i
the company establishes that the claims
assigned TO IL are good claims. and moth
Ing If The company falls 10 ESTABLISH
such claims.