Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-22
THEFT OF 100000
Official of Suez Canal Com
pany Absconds.
CASH AND SHARES GONE
Pierre Lepreux Writes, Admitting
He Appropriated Large Sums.
TOOK MONEY FOR DAUGHTER
Had Charge of the Funds Devoted
to Making Loans on Ne
gotiable Security.
CASH AND SHARES GONE
TOOK MONEY FOR DAUGHTER
Special Cabicgram TO The Star.

Special Cabicgram TO The Star.
PARIS. October u. - The police of
America have been asked to look for
Pierre Lepreux, chief of the lean depar,-
ment of the Suez Canal Company, who
is charged with absconding with s2OoO0O
in cash and 100000 worth Of canal
shares. circular letter, also. has teen
telegraphed to all continental banks, for
bidding the withdrawal of any funds
lodged In the name of NJ. LepreuX a.
though 1t has been ascertained that be-
fore his disappearance lie withdrew large
sums from certain hanks where he had
deposits.
For several days there were rumors i'm
the Rue Charras. where the central Of
nee OF the company is, that all was not
right. A few days ago a large number
of Suez Canal Company shares were sold
on the bourse. causing slight fall in
the value of the stock. The company at
tempted to trace the origin of the stock
marketed, but was unable to do so. AS a
last resort, it called in the chief of the
loan department to see if he could throw
any light on the matter.
Appeared at Ease.
M. Lepreux. who has been in the en-
ploy of the company for thirty years,
had charge of the company's funds de-
voted to advancing loans on negotiable
security, principally its own shares. On
such security the company usually ad-
vanced IS per cent. having large funds
constantly at it's disposal NJ Lepreux
was questioned by the directors in re-
gard to certain accounts, and whether
any large loans on canal shares had
recently been paid which might account
for the bourse episode. He had a ready
answer and appeared quite at his ease.
After the interview he returned to his
department and left for home as usual.
No suspicion was aroused however I'M
til M. Lepreux failed to put in an ap-
pearance at his Office the following day,
and not even then. though investigation
was made, until letter was received
| from him from Cherbourg.
The letter began by begging for induI-
gence from the directors, and admittine
that the writer had converted large sums
to his own use. 1t then went on to say
that he had speculated on the bourse
with the funds at his disposal, but that
unfortunately. he had lost. He alleged
that the object of these speculations was
to make money to provide for good por-
ton for his daughter, of whom he was
passionately fond M. Lepreux added thai
the securities he had distracted had been
lodged with outside brokers, whose names
he did not give. In conclusion, he said
that his sole reason for leaving Paris was
to go abroad, in the hope that he might
make sufficient money to recoup the COM
pany for the losses he had occasioned it.
On the receipt OF this extraordinary
communication inquiries were made at
M. Lepreux home, but Nine LepreuX
was able to give no information as to
her husbands whereabouts.
Family Heartbroken.
The utmost surprise is expressed at
the conduct of the absconding official,
who was regarded by all who knew him
as a model of uprightness and integrity.
He is said to have been model husband
and father, and his wife and daughter are
brokenhearted at the disaster which has
overwhelmed them
M. Lepreux is native of Paris.
where he was born in 1865 He married
in 1880, and his only child is now twenty
years of age