The Washington herald., 1913-07-06
STOCK JObbERY
Led TO " A R
Inside Story Of Balkan Con-
flict Told by Field
Correspondent.
DEAL MADE BY NICHOLAS
Montenesrin King Obtained s., 500, 900
for War Chests by Bringing on
Turkish Conflict.

SPECIAL Correspondent Win the oieSh -h'Ns-
Saloniki, July 5.-From source abso-
lutely reliable l have just obtained the
details of perhaps the most extraordinary
deal ever consummated for the starting
of a war, a war which is now on. and
which has cost thousands Of lives.
Back of the start of the Balkan war
was a stock jobbing deal. Not that the
war would not have been started without
this, but it might have been delayed for
months. The boom of the first cannon
In the great Balkan struggle was dictated
= by group of financiers. The specula-
tors of the Paris Bourse were made to
finance Montenegro.
In September last the enterprising King
Nicholas of Montenegro realized that if
he was to stand in with the other Bal
kan allies his army. his handful of troops,
must be brought up-to-date and his
exechequer must be replenished.
Montenegro is poor, very poor. To raise
money in his own country was out of
the question. Greece, Servia. and Bull
garia were far too busy with their own
troubles to listen to talk of money from
the little kingdom.
Two Millions Wanted.
Two millions was the sum asked to put
the army on a war footing, provide for
a commissary. and do other things. In
this emergency the crown prince was
sent to Paris to see what could be done.
Three or four reputable banking houses
were sounded. They wanted to know
what security the loan was TO be given
AT last the famous Franco-Prussian
financier, Monsieur Gunsbourg, came for
ward.
Il cannot lend his majesty 100000"
said he. but l will go into business with
him and share the profits. The condi-
tions are these: That he declare war
when l give the word. i will dabble In
stock shares. and he and l will share
whatever profits that result"
The crown prince put the matter up to
the King by telegraph and the arrange
ment was made. Gunsbourg named the
6th of October for the declaration of war
King Nicholas said he must have at least
five days more to prepare.
Clears E3,OOO,OOO in Day.
Gunsbourg pointed out to him that it
was not necessary to begin war seriously.
For his purpose declaration after the
closing of the Stock Exchange for the
day, and a demonstration in which can
non were used the next day was all that
was necessary.
On these conditions the King consented
to act, and the declaration of war was
made on October S. Next morning the
Mentenegrin guns fired a few rounds and
the news was telegraphed around the
world that the great Balkan war had
been started by Montenegro.
Overnight the Gunsbourg syndicate had
sold Turkish, Bulgarian. Servian. and
Greek bonds for all they were worth.
The break came when the news of the
opening guns was flashed upon the world.
The syndicate made more than s3,ooo,ooo.
he he nrincp left
Paris for Cettinje with sl590,000. 1t is
on this sum that Montenegro has sub
sisted ever since.
1t is an open secret that the Bull
garian ministers Sacon and Maneff,
made huge fortunes speculation on
intimate exclusive knowledge which they
alone possessed. but unlike the King of
Montenegro it did not go into the war
chest of their country.