New-York tribune., 1906-12-17
NOT A PEACEFUL CLUB.
GENESIS OF CONCORDI4.
Formation Due to Viat of Card
Sbqypers to. Club Ibero-4mericano.

men prominent in Spanish-American circles.
certain facts that have just come to light sug-
gest that the promotion OF the beautiful senti-
,nent expressed in the name was not the sole
motive that actuated its founders.
The existence of the Club Concordia IN fact
& the indirect result Of visit 10 this city of
tro card sharps Not for many months has
,here been such a ferment in local Spanish
American social and official circles as that for
which these TWO men are responsible.
The two manipuators Of the cards Senores
Arriasada and Molina. arrived in New York at
about the same time, apparently strangers 10
cach other. The former a Chilian and the
latter Spaniard. Through excellent letters of
introduction they were admitted to member
ship in the Club Ibero-Americano which has
been the best Spanish-American club in this
citv taking the place of the Circulo Colon Ger
rantes. which went out of existence a few
years ago. The club occupies floor in the
Hotel Marie Antoinette. Arriagada and Molina
are now in Paris spending $1,000 of the money
that formerly belonged to the members of the
Americana. The membership is made up
IN large part OF leading exporters. and includes
many Of the consuls- general in this city of the
Latin-Arnerican republics.
The club prospered and all went along we'll
until, not long ago, dark cloud came up to
threaten the amity existing among the members
gruous name. 1t is said that it was organized
as an opposition society," and that the Club Con-
cordia was conceived in anything but spirit
Of concord. The principal organizers were Dr.
Juan J. Uuoa Consul General OF Costa Rica, and
Pho Bolanos Consul General Os Nicaragua. who
also are, or were members of the Ibero-Ameri-
cano. The circumstances leading up To the agt-
tation under which the colony is at present la
boring as il would not for commonplace reyo-'
luton. began with the appearance at the Ibero-
Americana Of the two aforesaid card experts.
Arriagada and Molina enjoyed a game Of cards.
whether II poker. baccarat or casino,
long as the stakes were high enough. They ap-
peared 10 be all that thorough Spanish "cabal-
leros'' ought 10 be, but they adopts at
shutting and dealing The pasteboards. The two
new mem bers usually won, too Not until they
had taken nearly 5000 from their fellow mem
hers was there any suspicion aroused.
Among those who contributed to the financial
welfare Of Arriagada and Molina We're a diplomat
here on a special mission, from a South Ameri-
can country, and who now occupies a Cabinet
Office there. and a consul general.
Then. suddenly, something happened. One OF
the Americanos. it is said. discovered the
spaniard and Chilian in the manipulation of the
cards in a manner not strictly according 10
HoyIe. and the trouble began There was an in
dignatiou meeting, and immediate suspension
from the club for Arriagada and Molina was
suggested. The majority. though. ruled that
such ac,icn would arouse much unpleasant at
tenton and reflect on the club, so the affair
was smoolhed over, and action was deferred
some of the members however. were thoroughly
aroused. and when q South American is aroused
something is sure 10 happen.
Dr.. TIloa and Sefor Bolahos declared for
change Of management in the club. and to this
END they approached Sehor Saenz, a Colombian
banker IN this city. with request TO head the
reorganization movement. He consented. on the
condition that his interference should not
threaten the harmony of the Club Ibero-Ameri-
cano. Not only the clubs harmony at
stake, but there We're rumors of its possible dis
ruption. Alberto Falcon. Of William r. Grace
G. Co. its president. convinced SenOr Saenz that
outside interference was not advisable, and the
latter gave up The idea OF reorganizng things.
Auiagada and Molina, in the mean time, re-
manned as members OF the club They lived to-
rether in q fat in West 65th street, near the
soene of their' financial conquests and social
ostracisn. The two men had dispute over
the division of spoils, il is said, and Molina
stabbed ArTiaRada. The latter did not call in
the police, but the fight caused so much excite
ment in the house that, coupled with their pre-
vious experience, the men decided it best to
pack up and leave the city, which they did in a
hurry. They did not even take separate ways,
for what is a stahbing affair between friends?
Thus was relieved a delicate situation for the
Club Ibero-A Americana. 1t rid of the two
men who had become persona non grata without
the necessity of expelling them
But Tho end was moi yet Another chapter was
10 be added TO the troubles Of ultra Spanish
American society. Dr. Alloa and Sehor Bolahos
visited the clubrooTs with less frequency than
before and finally decCcd the organization
OF a new club which Was effected by the forna-
Ton q the Club Concordia. Among it's men,
hers are several other cOnsus general The
consuls arranged 10 give an introductory ball
al the Hotel Knckerbocker on December H.
which FOR some reason or other was declared off
There was meeting subsequently,, and some
of the members wanted the BAN 10 be given on
the night of December 81. Other members who
also belong 10 the Ibero-Americano objected. be
cause that night the latter club has bail
a. the Marie Antoinette, and opposition ball
they argued, would hurt both. Finally the advo-
Gates Of peace and concord prevailed over the
lnsistent arguments of those who would, not
Withstanding the IDero-Americano bail, hold
their dance on the same night. SO, temporarily
at least things are again quiet but the fires
Of discord are not extinguished. They only
frnoulderng The fight for social supremacy is
lalrly on, aud likely 10 come up a. any time.
As 10 Arriagada and Molina. the 3oint ause
o all the trouble an acquaintance in this city
VI" returned recently from Paris says that they
sfe haSNnp iu the sunshine along NE BOis du
"ocoSl- ard Champs Elysees. ENJOYING the lei
f-ie ife RI ,.-e French capital with tnc money
Sirt oarc belonged 40 members Or the Club
itT2-Arlerlc3nc