New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-10
MILLIONS LOST BY ALBERTI.
Many Peasants Among Sufferers from Ex-
Minister'S Defalcations


Copenhagen, Sept s.-The downfall of NJ. Albert.
the former Minister of Justice, who surrendered
yesterday to the police and confessed to series
Of frauds against the Bordestandens sparkasse.
OF which he was president viii be felt most keen
Il by those who his most ardent admirers
and supporters. The exact amount involved
through Alberti's fraudulent operations and en-
bezzement has not yet been ascertained. but it will
be several millions of dollars, the Danish Farm
ers Butter Export Association alone suffering a
loss Of s1J10OOo. while widespread ruin has been
caused among thousands of peasants, from whom
the former Minister Of Justice derived his power.
The Minister of Finance is considering the advisa-
biity Of state assistance TO the ruined depostors.
According TO Alberti's story. he began fasi-
fyng the accounts of the bank in 1884. years
before he was appointed Minister OF Justice. The
bulk Of the money and his own fortune were lost,
he saws through specuatons in various American
gold mines He conducted his speculations through
London firms going to that city twice each year
70 confer with them for the last fourteen years.
When n. Albert resigned his portfolio July
q last the announcement that his action was
caused by i'll health Immediately cast aside. 1t
was said that his resignation due TO attacks
made on his personal probity by radical oppo-
sftion NJ AIbertrs followers came Immediately to
his defence and assured him Of their loyal sup
mort A parliamentary committee appointed
on August investigate the charges of corrup-
ton against the minister, and it was announced
that the committee would especially devote itself
Il inquiry INTO NJ ALBEIT = Coiiheclloh Win
certain banks. through which his accusers said ne
conducted negotiations with private interests bid
ing such transactions under an official cloak
Alberti and his friends said that he was being
sacrificed by higher circles because Of his love for
the peasantry His supporters in the last month
r,rornised that there would be tremendous politi
cal 1Ipheava in the country II the committee sus-
tanned charges against their leader The confession
Of wrongdoing by the minister himself, therefore,
caused a great shock those who had believed
so implicitly in him.
NJ Albert is described a Of great per
sonal bravery. An attempt kill him was made
about two years ago by a who had been i'm
p-1soned for burglary after protests Of innocence
and held the Minister Of Justice responsible for
what he believed to be an injustice. The convicts
name was Boye. He entered the minister's pri-
vate Office and drew a pistol. NJ. Albert sprang
on him and after a struggle wrested the weapon
from his grasp and turned the man over TO the
police The man afterward declared insane
from brooding over his alleged wrongs.
Criminal proceedings viii be opened on Thursday.
NJ Albert wi made his confession, calmly main
tains his quiet demeanor
The scandal is regarded of the most SEN
sational in Danish political history It is now
estimated that the defaIcations will approach
100000.
The "Poltiken " in editorial demands the
resignation of the Premier J. c Christensen be-
cause last spring he publicly affirmed AIbertis
honesty. and a few months later through public
channels borrowed $4,000 for Albert. The Pre-
niers honesty is recognized but the public regards
him as being so compromised in the present affair
that he can no longer command public confidence