The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-07-15
BLUEDIAMOND FOUND
Recovery Leads tOAccusatiOn
of Russian Diplomat.
GROCER SUES FOR LIBEL
Declares Finding of Jewel in His
Possession Part of Plot on Part
of Count Porzic-SOeiety stirred
over Case, and Awaits Decision In
Civil Action AnxiOusIy.

Brest France, July H-DiplOmatic cir
cles and society are waiting with keen
interest the courts decision in the suit OF
Alexander Greger, the former Russian
diplomat, against the Count and Countess
Rodelle du Porzic for libel and false i'm
prisonment. This sensational case has
been before the public in one way and
another since Gregers arrest last August,
! charged with stealing the countess IA
nous $4,000 blue diamond" ring.
The POrzics accused Greger OF stealing
the ring while he and his wife We're
guests Of the countess at a house party
at the famous Brittany chateau Of Kers-
tears.
Greger. who had served as secretary of
the Russian Embassy at Washington for
many years. and was well known in New
York. where ne had served officially at
various periods. was out of a commission
at the time Of his arrest. He was expect
ing an important one from the Gar, he
| said In bringing the suit, he asked
heavy damages against his accusers, de-
claring that his political and social stand
ing had been greatly injured.
courts here, Maitre Labori, representing
the defendants, fiercely attacked Greger
and holly demanded 10 know why he had
not made certain sensational revelations
in connection with the case which he had
proclaimed he would do. Either he is
guilty said the lawyer. "or he is the
victim Of the most remarkable coin
cidence 1 ever knew Of" IN summing up
the case, ne contended that there was no
ground for action and that the suit
should be dismissed.
Countess a New Yorker.
The countess, native OF New York,
and widow Of the rich Englishman John
Burnett-Stearns. who left her the famous
chateau and a fortune, has been severely
criticised for the great publicity she has
brought upon GTeger. and for causing his
arrest while a guest In her home.
Some members of society here look
upon her action in the matter as seri-
Gus mistake, and in many little ways have
shown their disapproval of the course she
took in Furnishing Greger after the jewel
had been restored to her.
on the other hand. she has many strong
supporters. A few months after the &C
currence the countess withdrew her com
plant against the diplomat. In "a letter
which Count Porzic is said to have writ
ten he still contended. It was said, that
he believed Greger had deliberately taken
the jewel This 50 Infatuated GregeT. 1t
is said, that he challenged the count 10
duel
The challenge was not accepted, but
upon meeting the count in the Bots de
BoulOgne Paris, shortly after. Greger
gave him severe horsewhipplng. Greger
is a noted feEcer and swOrdsman, and
often fenced with President Roosevelt
when the former was stationed In Wash
ington.
Greger was in great financial distress at
the time OF the unfortunate occurrence
but his private life is said to have always
[ been above reproach. and he proved to be
one of the most popular representatives
Russia ever sent 20 a foreign court.
Ring Is Historic.
The troublesome ring is retarded by
Europeans as priceless through its his
toric associations. Il was in the crown Of
jewels worn by Louis Philippe, who gave
the stone to the Due dAumale. who was
pretender TO The throne of France. The
1 latter In turn presented It to Louise I.e-
blanc. a stage beauty. and on her death
! it was bought by the Countess Rodeline.
! The countess took off her rings while
seated at the piano during the famous
/ house party last August. Greger was
the last to leave the room. It is charged
/ He even turned out the gas. frantic
/ search the next day resulted in locating
the jewels IN a tOoth-powder box in the
/ diplomats travelling bag.
/ Greger Indignantly charged a plot TO
ruin him on the part Of the count He
said that while a guest of the countess
she had frequently cOnhded 10 his wife
and TO himself that her married life was
unhappy Her husband is several years
her Junior She said, Greger declared.
that her husband in fits of Jealousy had
threatened to shoot her and that she was
very miserable.
Greger says ne advised her to seek a
separation Evidently, he says, this
reached the counts ears, whereupon, he
declares, the count set out TO seek his
ruin. Greger stoutiy maintained his inno-
cence of any connection with the transfer
to his bag of the missing ring Scores of
his Partisan friends not only believe what
he says, but heartily sympathize with him
in his sad predicament.
Since the trouble Greger has repeatedly
said he would return to America after
the unfortunate affair was ended. as he
has often declared his preference for
American life.
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