New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-23
HENRY !. DUVEEN COMES
HERE TO MAKE HIS PLEA
SURPRISES United States Attorney
Wise, Who Didn't Know
He Was Here.
EXPECTED TO PLEAD GUILTY
Veteran Art Dealer Has Certifi-
Gates to Show That He Is Too
Feeble to Endure
Term in Prison.

Henry J Duveen. one Of the founders
and the present head ~ the hrm of
D1Iveen Brothers art dealers ~ London.
Paris and New York. caused much sur
nrise Yesterday afternoon when he
walked into the United States Circuit
Court and announced through his coun-
sci tina. he ves ready 10 plead 10 the
indictment charging him with con-
sniracv 10 defraud the United states ~
customs duties through undertaking Of
art importations.
His arrival in this country had been
ehrouded in absolute secrecy. and no'
|. oven Henry A Wise. United States At
tornev who has been IN charge Of all
the prosecutions arising from the pu-
veon customs frauds. knew he was mere
although he did know that the de-
fendant thought of coming here this
month The last public announcement
rod hesn that the eldest Duveen was
critically IN in England and could not
nossiblv come here for trial untli the
fou tern, Considerable credence was
given 10 the report that he would never
AGAIN set foot in this country. but would
remain in England. where the principai
,,.araste ~ the firm demanded hts per
sonal attention.
,,,,,cdiatelv after the closing for the
dav NJ the trial of Christopher {. wilson
and the other officials OF me uniteu
Wireless Telegraph Company. Henry d
D,,,,een accompanied hy BENJAMIN ).
D,veen. his brother. who is manager oi
the New York branch. walked up 10
r,,aoa Martin with his counsel John Is.
s,anchfeld Mr.. Stanchheld salo HIS
ciert wanted 70 enter a plea 10 the IN
dictren, against him. MI wise salo
nl uas willing to 60 ahead If he could
o., tho necessary papers. But II was
to,,,d tho. his assistant had gone Tor
,he dsv and Mr.. Wise asked for post
nonenoent until this morning.
No indication was given by elthei
oounseI or the defendant himself mat
the nlea would be one Of guilty. Gov
eminent officials familiar win the case
however. felt sure that plea OF euiity
was the only one possible.
Nr Wise said he would demand
rr,son sentence for the head OF the hrm
hacause Of evidence in his possession
.ho, Harry I Duveen must have been
cognizant Of the customs frauds com
nitted by his firm in the art importa-
.,ors and because hc had evidence 10
,,d,cate such intent on the part Of the
defendant
The expectation OF plea OF guilty vas
sunported by the argument that the
nuveen Brothers had settei all dVii
claims of the United States arising from
these frauds for Sl,1S0OO0 The fact
tha, Louis ] and Joseph J. Duveen, the
youngest Of the four brothers. had come
90 tbis country entirely OF their free VIII
and entered a plea OF guilty was also
reoarded as significant In their case
,,r Wise waived demand for imprison-
x,.nt because they had never been in
thiC country, anu ildd bN'u i'i'iS ~
active accessories TO the offence. IN
consideration also of the fact that they
had surrendered themselves voluntarily,
o,,boueh there was no possibility of their
oxtradition from England as English
suhiects he accepted a fine OF $4,000 in
each case.
Henry J. Duveen was arrested late az
.,,b, on october Is. 1910. upon his a.
r,,.ol IN this country on the Lusitania
uo was held in $4,000 bail. The same
ofternoon the art store of the Duveen
pro,hers. at No 3O2 Fifth avenue. had
been raided by customs agents and Ben
,.,,in Duveen was arrested there. He
q now under $4,000 bail
Henry J. Duveen returned TO England
November. where he remained until
,.. ueek II was intimated yesterday
49,, he brought with him numerous GER
.,sootes from we'll known English physi-
,are attesting that hardship like that
80 ,mprisonment might cause fatal re-
ou,,a in his present condition
,ruey.s SUPERIOR ,soRT WINE
Or WTiood making and Nourish!ng
=, nwey I've & Sons Co.. l3s Fulton St. N.I'