Evening star., 1922-05-08

. " 3kNS A1GNS 1A1 1AAlNS.
Denies Kidnapping, But Says Rob-
ertson offered Loan to Leave q. s.
Had Alexander e. Robertson, Brit
fsh war veteran, who caused the ar
rest Of John F. Ellis. private detec-
tive. on charges Of "kidnaping." de-
sired his freedom during the time
to give Robertson money with which
to go to South America, he had
twenty-six hours, during which the
arrangements were being made to
seek assistance. This statement was
made today by G. w. Anderson, in
the w. J. Burns Detective Agency,
under whose direction Robertson had
been shadowed by Burns agency men
for several weeks.
Robertson today also gave details
OF the activities OF the operatives
which led up to the so-caIled kid
Although Anderson did not admit it.
nor deny it. the Burns agency men
were acting presumably for Senator
Culberson in shadowing Robertson
from Texas to Washington and thence
to Bloomfield. n. j., after the friend
ship Of Miss Mary Culberson for
Robertson had begun TO cause her
parents anxiety.
About to Sign Notes.
Ellis and another operative were on
the case in New Jersey on April 20,
Anderson said. when arrangements
were about to be made Whereby
Robertson would sign promissory
notes for funds which were to take
him to a South American port Of his
choice and by which he could start IN
business.
From 10 o'clock on the night of
rangements were definitely agreed
upon. until midnight on Friday, April
Fl. the operatives were with Robert
son constantly. Anderson said. but
there were no threats Of violence.
"AS a matter of fact" Anderson
said. "the proposition emanated from
Robertson himself. He said he want
ed chance to make good and that he
had friends in South America who
could help him. He selected Boston
as the port OF tmbarkation. because it
was from that place that the first
ship would sail to bring him to his
destination.
Several trips were made between
Bloomfield, n. j., where Robertson
was staying with his aunt, and New
ark, to make arrangements on Fri
day. April 81. and on Friday night,
while awaiting the midnight train for
Boston. Robertson and his aunt were
left alone in the dining room of the
Robert Treat Hotel for more than an
hour. 1t is during this time, l under
stand, that he claims he was being
kidnapped. If he wanted to get aid.
all he had to do was to call for 1t
from the many diners at tables there
about
Agency Drops Case.
THE ship was to sail from Boston
on Saturday, April 20. Robertson
in Boston. from Saturday, April %,
to Monday night. April "a Then. hav-
ing heard Of the visit of Mrs. An
drews. the aunt OF Robertson, to
Washington. We dropped the case and
broke off arrangements. Ellis and the
son to New York, whore they shook
hands in entire good spirits and left
him.
"On Tuesday. April 25. Ellis re-
signed from this oflice. He Is a good
man. We did not, want to see him
cause OF his own personal reasons,
and nothing that grew out of this
case caused IL. A few days later the
other operative resigned.
Ellis actions after that were out
side Of our Jurisdiction. We were out
Of the case. If he saw At to make
any arrangements for any other party
on his own initiative or to return to
New Jersey, II was none Of our busi-
ness. That's as far as We know any
thing about the case"
Mrs. Culberson CoIlapses.
Senator Culberson of Texas refused
today to SEQ newspaper men to dis
CusS the charges Of Robertson.
Friends Of the Culberson family
said Mrs. Culberson was nearly pros
trate at their 18th street home as
the result of the publication of the
reports involving Robertson and Miss
q student at the fashionable Holton
Arms Finishing School here.
Chesley w. Jurney, private secre-
tary, political manager and conf
Dental friend of Senator Culberson,
who has had full charge Of the SEN
began to fail, was out Of the city yes
terday. and had not appeared at the
Capitol, up to noon today. His alb
sence led to reports. which were with
out confirmation, that he had left for
Newark, N. j., where conference on
the matter had been arranged with
Mr.. Jurney, Robertson. Mrs. A. P.
Andrews Of Bloomfield. N. J., aunt Of
Robertson, and possibly Miss Culber-
son as participants.
Mr.. Jurney is said by some friends
of the family here to have had at
least one conference with Robertson.
at which he urged the British war
veteran to bear in mind his own
youth and that of the senator's daugh-
ter. and that both wait a while be-
fore thinking of marriage.
Girl willing to Wait.
Jurney also is understood to have
talked to Miss Culberson with such
effect that she entered into an under
standing with Robertson that they
would not talk Of matrimony until
the. spring of 1898" at the earliest.
British embassy officials indicated
today they were cognixant of the mat
ter in q general way, Mrs. Andrews
having laid the charges before the
embassy during q recent visit to
Washington. The embassy, after
hearing Mrs. Andrews' story, tele-
graphed Thomas Parker Porter,
British consul general at Boston. to
the aunt of the British
veteran having alleged that Robert
son was taken to Boston to be sent
out of the country. The Boston CON-
sulate replied, It was said, that all
Of those mentioned, including the
detectives. had left Boston.
The embassy today had not re-
oeived Robertson's telegraphic re-
guest for an agent to eacort him From
the station to the embassy tomorrow
when he plans to visit Washington.