New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-22
SIR JULIUS WERNER DEAD
Head of South African De Beers
Diamond Syndicate.

London, May 2l.-Sr Julius Charles
Wernher head OF the De Beers Diamond
Syndicate and OF the firm OF Wernher,
Belt q Co. died to-day.
Although Sir julius Wernher was at the
head Of a great diamond mining organlza-
ton, Henri Lemoine, Frenchman, sue
ceeded in swindling him out OF more than
$4,000 by pretending that he had discoV-
cred method Of making diamonds by
chemical process, for which Lenolne IN
July, 1909. was sentenced at Paris to six
years Imprisonment.
Lemone met Sir julius in May 1905. and
claimed that as the result of a long series
Of experiments he had succeeded In pro-
duclng in an electric crucible genuine dia-
monds of various sizes and brilliancy'
which the best experts could not tell from
natural stones He told Sir Julius that
the secret formula was deposited with the
Union Bank of London.
The old diamond man visited the SWIM
dlers house, saw the gems produced from
"A mysterious crucible and had experts OF
his own choosing inspect them. they pro-
nounced them genuine. He eagerly sought
to buy an option on the secret. lie parted
with $4,000 before he suspected that ne
had been the victim Of some clever slelght
of hand work. Then he complained to the
authorities.
1t was found that "A contract had oeen
signed by Sir julius and the sharper III
which 1t was agreed that the envelope con-
tanning the secret process should not DE
opened until after Lemoine's death. when II
should become the property of Sir JULIUS.
\ lively legal battle followed IN an at
tempt to have the envelope opened at once
Many persons were involved on both sides
o. the question, and feeling between the
parties ran high. The envelope was hnaily
orened and found to contain only a fantastic
tumble Of senseless symbols. The expose
naturally caused a slump In the company
stock.
I'm 1901 the diamond houses with which
the Wernher and Belt interests were con-
nsoted were charged on the floor or the
House Of Commons by Arthur y. Markham
with fraudulent dealings Mr. Markham
was protected from prosecution for libel
for these charges by his privilege as MEM
Der. which gave him immunity for utter
ances in Parliament. but when he was dared
to make the same charges outside he readily
cusations. DECLARING that these great da-
mend merchants were thieves and swind-
lers" He dehed prosecution, and welcomed
a chance to prove his charges. The ac-
crsed interests Immediately instituted pro-
ccodings for libel against him.
Sir Julius was horn in 1870. He was
Hessian by birth. but by title was an Eng
llsh baronet. receiving this honor from
Edward VII in 1905. He was said to be on
especially friendly terms with the late
King. who often visited his house In Pic
cadilly, where no received many valuable
tirs as To what was about to happen In the
South African diamond market. The story
was told how the King, going 10 luncheon
at Sir Jullus's house one Sunday. was de-
layed hy the breakdown OF his automobile.
He sent his chauffeur on to get one Of Sir
Jul!us's machines. and when ii came
started for the house at "A law-breaking
speed TO make up lost time. When the car
dashed into Plccadilly IT was stopped by 4
policeman. The King. seeing a chance for
joke. gave the name Of Sir julius, and
pointed to the monogram and number OF
the car. Tn" policeman took down the
Facts as the King gave them and told him
he would have to appear In the Bow street
Police Court in the morning to answer the
charge Of fast driving. never suspecting
that he was talking TO the King himself.
When Edward reached Sir Juluss house
ne told the story in great glee. but Sir
JuIius's case was never called in court.
Sir julius was prominent in the South
African diamond market for forty-two
years and was said to know that field of
ACTIVITY as well as Cecil Rhodes himself.
n. was noted however for his desire to
avoid publicity and made no efforts to get
a.lf advertising, although his patronage OF
art and his bcnevolences were extensive.
his wife, whom he married in 1883. was
Miss Alice ;. Mankiewicz. She was reputed
In London society to be beautiful and her
uirtire by Sargent when exhibited In 1898
created a sensation.
Sir julius had "A son. Derrick Julius, who
caused him a lot of trouble. This son was
born in 1889. and was educated at Elton and
oxford. While in oxford, in 1893, his father
allowed him 1850, and 5000 I'm two success
sivc years, but during this period young
Wcrnhcr managed to pile up $4,000 worth
of gambling and other debts, which his
father paid. After he left college he spent
another $4,000 In the same way, chiefly
through his ability to get loans on the
strength Of his name. Money lenders
seemed to have no fear that he would be
disinherited. but simply increased their
rates with each report of his fathers dis
pleasure In 1910 his father went so far as
To advertise that he would not be re-
sponsible for any OF his sons debts. but
this did not completely stop the money
lenders. who still had faith that he would
ultimately inherit his fathers reputed S5,-
OOoOOj His father continued to make him
monthly allowance Of more than 500. In
Nav, 1872 Derrick Wernher appeared In
court Of bankruptcy In London, declaring
that he had spend $1,000. and giving his
assets as so cash. n $50 check. So in oil
stock. 1915 book debts and $50 In bills Of
doubtful value one OF his exploits In rails
ing money was to get from Oscar Kahn. in
Paris. "A rope Of pearls valued at $500
on the strength Of his name alone. He ex-
changed this for 5000 cash and a check
for si4 400 He spent these sums in gam
bling and racing and other gay times.
chiefly In Paris
-~---