New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-22
Another Bogus Prince Here.

Newspapers in this country should de-
cline to concede TO any foreign visitor q
title before making effort TO investigate
its authenticity. for otherwise in pub
fishing more or less friendly articles con-
corning a stranger they lend the weight
Of their approval TO pretensions that are
often bogus and even criminally fraudu-
lent Some OF the most dangerous OF for
eign adventures use 10 dispel suspicion
here and abroad clippings from leading
American newspapers, In which their
bogus titles are exploited in fiattering in
erviews. Articles of this kind serve, in
fact. as passports and credentials to the
conhdence OF many innocent persons for
iiyers "chevaiers d'industrie" and fe-
males OF this species.
II | call attention to this IL is because
there has lately arrived in New York an
Individual who styles himself Prince
Paul de Clairmont of Russia" "a serene
highness, a cousin OF the Duke Of Nor
Ok and who, like 50 many other nom
tsscrfDt sdyenturers, insists that he is the
original "Paul''-the hero OF a cheap and
unpleasant novel by an English woman,
entitled Three Weeks"
The prince" who occupied an entire
page Of several American papers on
sunday week ago-his picture being
gwen along with his alleged coat-of-
arms surmounted not by princely coro-
mex but by the fiYe-pronged circlet OF
mere German 'von"-is likewise known
Preston Arnott, and when arrested in
bonoon last winter on a charge Of theft
os gave at the Bow street police court
as occupation as that Of an actor.
Inc accusation Of theft was preferred
Oy Florence, Lady Abby. a daughter OF
Lehmann Cohen, Of London, the third
we OF the late Sir William Abby, when
ne was already completely crippled by
Paralysis and who inherited his largo
fortune. Since Sir Williams death she
mas frequently invited the attention OF the
Vuohc notably in connection with avi-
auon' ana at one time IL was rlinored
ust sne was about 10 wed Alice Thaws
"'husoand, the Earl OF Yarmouth, who
uas since become the Marquis of Hert-
ford
from evidence given in the police court
Bow street 1t would seem that the
prisoner had scraped acquaintance with
Eau! Abby during a trip from Paris TO
-"hoon, representing himself as His Sc
'e"e hlghness the Prince de Clairmont
hussia.' He became the guest Of
lazy Abby at the Savoy Hotel, and she
whunued TO act as his hostess for sew
sla days. until she found that jew
sned butterfly brooch, valued at seyera,
thousand dollars, was missing. She ac-
.Ofoinsy accused him of having stolen
!" and had him arrested.
The police submitted In their reports
'hst the prisoners face was painted and
poWoered, and added that when thes
searched his room at the Charing Cross
ho'el they found powder puffs. rouge.
PENCILS for the eyebrows and famboyant
nSilnG cards bearing the name and title
!" Prince Paul dc Clairmont."
lie admitted having taken the brooch
enc also having pawned it, surrendering
y INC police the pawnticket. but declared
snat Lady Abby had given II TO him when
" sskcd ner for come money, because she
nao no cash in hand at the time. As
lazy Abby is very rich this excuse did
'ot appeal 10 the magistrate. who COM
united the soi-disant prince for trial at
we General Sessions. There the Jury
acquitted him. mainly on account Of the
'eputation which Lady Abby has ac-
q"red for picking up queer associates. as
sSo on account Of the impossibility OF
p'o'ing whether the brooch had really
"eeh gift or not, but the presiding judge
sook the opportunity TO add after the
.sfdlet had been given that. although an
se'olttal usually meant that the ac-
,a'eu left the court without stain upon
:" enafacter. he wished II 10 be under
''ooo that this was far from being the
"se IN this instance.