The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-17

other branches have for generations
devoted themselves to society, to
sports, to politics, to craftsmanship.
to philanthropy. Baron Albert was
the typical financier and when knotty
problems were to be solved the other
Rothschilds always consulted their
shrewd Austrian kinsman.
No one knows the total wealth OF
the combined Rothschild families. II
Is generally admitted that the COM
bined strength OF the family could
break" John d. Rockefeller, though
Rockefeller could buy out any one OF
the branches.
The present generation OF Roths-
childs have never forgotten their an
cestor's dying advice and though the
Rothschilds are many. they act as
one.
Remain united to the end the
first great Rothschild financier said to
his children, more than hundred
years ago.
The family traces its ancestry back
to Amschel Moses, a peddler who died
in 1855. His son, Mayer Amschel, OF
Frankfort-on-the-M Main, who died in
1872, had five sons and Eve daughters.
He installed his sons as bankers In
the various capitals of Europe.
How did this wonderful family lay
the foundation for Its great fortune?
When In 1906 Napoleon was about
TO invade Germany the Landgrave OF
Hesse entrusted his fortune OF $1,000
600 for safe keeping to "Amschel OF
the Red Sign" the family having de-
rived its name OF Rothschild from the
rod sign over tho door Of the little
Frankfort shop. Amschel transported
the money on muleback across the
mountains, then landed 1t safely In
Manchester, England, where he estab-
lished Nathan Mayer. his third son, In
business. The money worked while
the Landgrave was in hiding.
After Napoleon was dethroned the
Rothschild offered to pay the Land
grave the entire sum with per cent
interest. He refused to take any in
terest,' but finally was persuaded to
take per cent. This was the Roths-
child start, for they speculated with
the money and made It grow rapidly,
but the battle of Waterloo was largely
responsible for this greatest of all
fortunes.
The reign OF Napoleon was at it's
hight while the London branch was
being established. 1t was known that
In May, 1915, the great battle would
be fought which would decide the fate
OF Europe and Of the Little Corsican.
Property values, stocks and bonds
were uncertain. The Rothschilds or
ganixed a secret news bureau, report
ing the movements OF the armies.
There was no telephone then, no tele-
graph, and even mail service could
not be trusted. No king had as ac-
curate and speedy news as Nathan OF
London. Should Napoleon win at
Waterloo II would mean a loss of mil
lions to the Rothschilds, but II they
knew IL in advance Of the rest of the
world Ii would not only save them
from ruin, but would add millions to
their fortune. Nathan did not trust
any agent, but secretly left London In
disguise, went to Belgium and to the
camp Of the allies. wellington SUI
fered severely on the first day and on
the second he was driven back. To
all the messengers on the field OF bat
tie, representing all sorts OF financial
interests, II seemed that Wellington
was ubOut W ut cut u pltCeS. 0ev
left the battle field and reported in
the various capitals that Napoleon
had won.'
Nathan Rothschild alone remained.
Then came Bluecher, and when
Nathan saw the rout OF Napoleon with
his own eyes he rode like mad to Os-
tend. He paid boatman 5000 francs
to take him across the stormy chan
mel He drove at full speed to Lon
don, where everybody believed that
Napoleon had won a great victory at
Waterloo. without changing his
clothes or stopping to eat Nathan
slowly walked into the stock ex-
change, picture of simulated despair.
All knew that he had staked his all
On the allies. English funds and the
funds OF the allies were sold at any
sacrifice and while Nathan apparently
did nothing. his agents bought every
thing they could lay their hands
upon.
Then Nathan went home TO sleep.
When he awoke the next day he was
the king. OF finance for then London