Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-26

iunab!c Summer resorts, where they
have improved the opportunity to
meet people who Will prove easy vic
tins this coming Winter.
Among the foreign criminals
nave met recently is n Frenchman
VINO came here ostensibly as an
cm!ssary OF the French Government
to buy horses and blankets. In that
capacity he had no difficulty at all
In meeting some Of the most repre-
sentative business men in this coun-
try. and the fact that he had large
contracts to place made him much
sought after. He was dined and
reted in the city during the week and
taken down to the country for week
ends. don't know Just what crooked
work he pulled Off on these occa-
sions. CT whether, indeed, he has yet
revealed his true colors, but IL he
hasn't 1t is only question OF time
before certain "shrewd American
business men" will find that they
have been fleeced by one OF the
cleverest Partisan criminals now in
this country.
I don't know whether the murder
and robbery Of Mrs F. G. Nichols
was inspired by some OF these recent
arrivals. but that is just the kind of
crime that foreign crooks excel In,
and | shall be very much surprised
If dozens Of similar outrages are not
reported within the next few months.
The type Of foreign criminal OF
which ! have been speaking, and
which is represented in such large
numbers among those who have ar
rived here since the war began, is
far more patient than the average
American crook. He plans and plots
for months before pulling a trick.
He plays absolutely safe. He never
goes into a job bllndfolded He
knows exactly what he is after,
where 1t Is located and how and
when 1t can best be reached with the
least possible danger.
To accomplish the desired result
clever criminal Of this type may use
accomplices, or, rather. tools, but he
never takes them fully into his con-
fidence. although unwittingly they
are OF the utmost use to him. He
may plant them as servants in a
house which he intends to rob, but
far more probably he will plant them
In the house next to the house he has
In mind. figuring that it will not be
long before they have scraped up an
acquaintance with the servants of
the house he is really after.
When that time arrives he pro.
ceeds to undermine the integrity OF
the servants in the house he Is to
rob, and in one way or another he
usually succeeds In gaining his pur.
pose. All he needs is one weak tool.
The rest is easy.
Without doubt there will be many
crimes OF the Nichols type in the
near future. The only warning can
urge is that more than usual care
he taken In the engaging OF new
servants. The police, as have said,
are awake to the general situation.
but it Is OF little avail for the uni.
formed men to guard your homo
from the outside II you yourself have
admitted the thief on the inside.
Before long, no doubt, there will
be roundup Of the foreign crooks
known to have arrived here since the
war started. and they vii. bs dc
ported under the immigration laws.
but many, unfortunately, will escape
the clutches of the law. For that
reason. am afraid we are in for
an epidemic of crimes, and only the
greatest vigilance on the part OF
householders and police can avail to
meet the situation.