The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-02-18
BUCCANEERS PLAN
Of BRAZIL
Chief Of COunani Free State
In London Forming Big
Piracy Plot.


NJ ID cy projected, so it is said by
group of revolutionists in the
heart of London. They propose to
equip an expedition that shall reach
its goal upon armored ships and to
turn treasure land, but little known
to the world, into nationality of pow
er and promise. This, according to the
London viewpoint, is piracy up to date.
The nan at the head Of the enter
prise is a Frenchman by birth, of the
name of Adolphe Brezet and his center
Of activity has been in the British cap
ital for a number of years. AS chief
of the government of the Counani Free
State he has been giving worry to Bra
zil Every once in while the diplo-
matte agents of Brazil become espe-
cially anxious and make things un-
pleasant for the chief of the Counanian
government by highly colored public
ity. This action is usually simultane-
Gus with report that Brazil is about
to sell some of her battleships built or
building. 1t is sort of feeler to make
more or less sure that she can part
without risk with portion Of her
navy. 1t was reported recently that
Russia wanted to buy the Brazilian
Dreadnought Rio Janeiro, which is be-
ing completed in England, and this
probably explains the latest news
anent the Counani movement
The details of the latest proposed ex-
pedition have it that Brezet has won to
his cause the support of naval and mil
itary men of the British service and
that he has also prospectively recruit
ed for service goodly force Of non
commissioned officers among the ex-
seamen of other European fleets, espe-
cially that of France. With this per-
sonnel and few second rate warships
base is to be established at the
mouth of the Amazon river, where
strategically it will be easiest to hold
the approaches against show Of force
on the part Of the Brazilian navy. 1t
is said that the Counanians count upon
the spirit Of unrest in the Brazilian
fleet and on the rumors often repeated
that the officers and crews of the Bra
lillian battleships are quite incapable
of taking their present Dreadnoughts
safely out to sea or of fighting these
vessels.
Baron Calls Himself John Orth.
American capital and the moral sup
port of the United States in behalf of
this contested region on the north
bank of the Amazon. About three
years ago special deputation or com
mission was sent here from London by
Brezet, but the efforts of the commits
sioners were without results because
of dissension among themselves. The
head of the deputation was i'll disposed
to seek counsel and utterly opposed to
being led. This forceful individual
called himself Baron de OFT, and be-
hind this incognito he privately pro-
claimed himself to be no less a per-
sonage than the long missing John
Orth, once an Austrian archduke. The
story of John Orth's lowly marriage
in the face of the anger of the EN-
peror Franz Josef, his sailing away
to South America and the reported
wrecking of his ship with the loss of
all on board has been public property
for years, but in spite of this there has
persisted a belief that John Orth did
not die.
Baron de OFT appeared in London in
1910 and lost no time in ingratiating
himself with Brezet. He gave out the
impression that he had very strong of
fetal and social identifications in the
United States and finally asserted that
he had been a guest Of Admiral Schley
upon the Brooklyn at the battle of
Santiago.
Upon arriving in New York the baron
and his wife and suit established
themselves at a hotel, and there he
maintained all formalities of his pro
fessed position. He dressed in military
garb and displayed his various decora
tions. He sought the financial support
Of prosperous follower of Tammany
Hall. Somehow despite his dollars
this American did not quite measure
up to the diplomatic exigencies of the
barOns mission, and after couple OF
months of fruitless efforts to win fa
vor in other directions the baron pack
ed away his royal stage properties and
returned to London disgusted.
Imposture Is Disclosed.
Before the baron's departure for the
English capital it was discovered tha
he had not been with Admiral Schley
at Santiago, in fact had not seen Ad
miral Schley since 1900 at Bueno'
Aires. This little historical slip-uI
somehow discredited the other stories
which the baron had told the chief o.
the COunanian government. AS a resul
be was left to seek the employment o.
Is talents elsewhere.
The nationalizing and the develop
ment of Counani is not a mere fAbus
tering project, as 1t has 80 often beer
made to appear, but instead a serious
determination on the part Of its peopl,