South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-03-10
CUSTOMS OFFICIALS
DEMAND POSSESSION
OF FATIMA DIAMOND
Charge of Smuggling Famous
Jewel May Halt Return of
Afghanistan Princess.

NEW YORK, March 9.-The a.
carat diamond. which only eight
short months ago blazed the way for
Princess Fatima. Sultana OF kabOul,
into the presence of Pres't Hardins
may delay her departure for Afghan
istan. which was 10 have taken place
Friday
Charging that the fabulous stone
was struggled into this country when
the princess arrived last July, Off
cials of the United States customs
department Thursday sought 10 gain
possession of il. But Sheriff Percy
Nagel. who has held the diamond
for several months as security for
numerous creditors. refused to give
it up.
After hearing arguments of counsel
for the sheriff and suctoms depart
ment supreme Court Justice Irving
Lehman advised the latter to obtain
federal order directing that the
stone be turned over to them. The
agents announced they would pro-
coed at once 10 do so.
Princess Unintcrcsted.
Princess Fatima, whose be-dia-
mond nostrils and dazzling wardrobe
amazed Broadway when she arrived
in this country last July, did not ex-
press any considerable interest when
she learned of the charges that she
evaded duty on her jewel. She con-
tinued packing her meagre effects
preparatory TO sailing for her native
land, as the guest Of the British
government.
The princess said she had tired Of
her native land and came here TO
ask the United States TO give her an
estate BETTING her rank. When she
reached New York her jewels. aer
clothes her mission and her child
like eccentricities aroused unusual
interest.
Al this point. stephen Weinberg.
now a prisoner charged with numer-
Gus representations. including that
/ of an officer of the United States
navy. attached himself TO the prn-
cess as her manager. He managed
7 her reception by Prest Harding at
the white house. when she formally
made known her desire for gov
eminent estate and learned that such
things weren't being done.
Contracts With Weinberg.
The princess returned TO her New
York hotel broke but still optimistic.
She contracted with Weinberg 10 sell
her big diamond at not less than
I $3.50 900, and announced she would
/ buy an American estate with the
proceeds
jewelers. examined the famous gem
/ but appeared Indifferent. Finally
\ Weinberg was offered SIS. 900 for it.
f The princess refused the offer BY
I this time the hotel men and a host
+ Of other creditors had become clam
/ orous and attached the sparkling
I stone
The roya' entourage. i'm the mean
I time had become desperately low in
/ finances. until finally one OF Fatima' S
SOUS negotiated a $4,000 loan on the
7 famous gem That was in NOvem-
I her. Since then the fortunes OF the
\ Fatima household have made a rapid
! descent OF the social scale. They
/ moved from one hote. 10 another
and when discovered by the Saliva
/ ton Army were living in squalor in
q tenement on the East Side
Finally government authorities
limited 20 the British consulate that
since Afghanistan was a British pro-
Itectorate that country should assume
/ responsibility for the princess and
her family. since then she has been
Ia guest" OF the British government.
living I'm two-room-with-ba bath
/ apartment on Lexington avenue.
The princess viii wear her nose
Jewel hack 90 Afghanistan But the
T big diamond viii remain in a safe
deposit vault here 20 await settle
ment OF the demands OF her credit
/ ors and customs officials.