Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-05-02
ENGLAND HAS CRIME WAVE
London Is Stirred by Strange Murders
and Robberies.

and Robberies.
Spectacular holdups, mysterious
murders, and thrilling jewelry robber-
les are claiming the best skill of
Scotland Yards and holding the atten-
tion of the London public, according to
a correspondent Of the Associated
Press. Not for many years, If indeed
ever,r have the authorities been called
to cope with such a wave Of crime as
that which has swept the metropolis
since the beginning of the year. While
| some arrests have been made and some
men punished, the police are hard put
to keep pace with the criminals.
So frequent have robberies be-
come that London bankers have taken
measures to meet possible raids on
their cash counters. a proceeding
hitherto unknown in the city. All
cashiers have been instructed to keep
cash out of sight instead of displaying
it on the bank counters. The police
in the neighborhood Of important
banking houses have been ordered to
be especially yigilant particularly at
the luncheon hour.
The prevalence of crime was first
called to the attention Of the authori-
ties when the newspapers made sem
sation out of the sudden death of Bill
lie" Carlton, q favorite actress, who
was found dead in her apartment the
morning after the famous Liberty
Ball several months ago. 1t develop
ed that she had died from an over
dose of drug. An investigation
showed that the practice of drug-tak-
ing was increasing in the city and
that "opium parties" were not uncom-
mon.
Next the city was startled by the ar
rest OF Lieut.. Col. Norman c. Ruther-
ford of the army medical corps, charged
with shooting to death Major Miles c.
Seton, also of the Medical corps, at the
house of the majors cousin, Sir NAL
com Seton, in Holland park. The hear
| ing of this case in court has not been
concluded.
Murders of less importance followed
each having some unusual feature
The city was again aroused a few
weeks ago by the published statement
that Major H. E. CLANCY of the Royal
air force had tried to killed his aged
mother at Talgarth Mansions, and had
then killed himself. Mrs. CLANCY was
severely wounded, but hopes are enter
tanned for her recovery. Police inves-
tigation threw no light on the tragedy
so far as the public was concerned
Major CLANCY was one Of the best
known officers Of the British air force
having been the inventor of the cam
era gun with which cadets were train
ed in aerial gunnery.
OF robberies there have been many
Holdups have taken place in the West
End and in the suburbs at night, while
scores of houses and apartments have
been robbed in the most skillful man.
ner. Jewelry robberies have perhaps
been the most frequent. A number OF
high-glass shops have been entered in
daylight by thieves who, on pretense
of buying diamonds, have stolen jew
elry to the value of thousands of dol
lars. Many causes are assigned for
the number and character of the
crimes, the majority Of them placing
the responsibility at the doors Of dis
charged soldiers.
Police officers from American cities
are in London seeking international
criminals who may have been dis
charged from some Of the armies
French and Italian officers also are
said to be here, each looking for an
opportunity to assist in the general
roundup. Meantime the crimes con-
| tinue.