BANK-NOTE FORGERIES

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 90, 11 January 1926, Page 7

BANK-NOTE FORGERIES

PLAN TO DESTROY FRENCH CURRENCY CONCEIVED IN GERMANY DURING THE WAR PLATES PREPARED DISAPPEAR AFTER ARMISTICE s' During the late war, it is stated, certain German and Austro-German State departments conceived the idea that France's currency might be destroyed by flooding the market with forged notes. Plates for printing the notes were . made, but the armistice ensued and the plates disappeared. - It is believed now that those plates were used for the recent forgeries.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Copyright.

(Rec. January 10, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 9. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says that during the late war certain German and AustroGerman State departments conceived the idea that France’s currency might be destroyed by the wholesale printing of forged notes. Plates were actually made, and when the Armistice ensued the plates mysteriously disappeared. The French secret service later became convinced that the plates were hidden in Hungary, the Government of which was requested to search, but reported that no trace was found of them. There the matter was left, but the belief is widely held in competent quarters that the plates are identical with those used by the Hungarian forgers.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRINTING MACHINERY ' FROM GERMANY (Rec. January 10, 5.5 p.m.] Budapest, January 9. The police state that a German firm supplied Windischgraetz with printing machinery which was intended for the note issue of a certain bank, but it was found unsuitable, and was sold as scrap iron to iron merchants, from whom it was acquired by the conspirators. The paper on which the notes were printed also was purchased in Germany by an employee of Windischgraetz, after failure of attempts to reproduce the water-marks on paper purchased elsewhere. Herr Geroe, technical manager of the Cartographical Institute, where lithographic dies had been discovered, says Windischgraetz told him his refusal to co-operate would be equivalent to treason, and guaranteed him immunity in case of discovery, naming high protectors, including Nadossy.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NOTES PRINTED BY RUSSIANS (Rec. January 10, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, January 9. M. Briand had a conference with M. Clinchent, the French Minister to Hungary, who has returned in order to report. According to the "Matin,” M. Clinchent stated that Windischgraetz imported twenty Russian printers, exemployees of the Petrograd mint, in order to print the notes. More French police officers are departing for Hungary.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TRANSPORT OF THE NOTES TWENTY-THREE ARRESTS (Rec. January 10, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 9. Disclosures in connection with the Hungarian note forgeries show that about 25,000 notes of a face value of 1000 francs each, were printed, and most of them taken abroad, sealed in double-bottom trunks, by special messengers, who were protected by diplomatic passports and alleged visas. The trunks were provided by order of the chief of police, Nadossy. So far there have been twenty-three arrests and others are expected.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INVESTIGATIONS IN HUNGARY THE REGENT SATISFIED RESIGNATION OF ARCHDUKE ALBRECHT Budapest, January 8. As the result of yesterday’s disclosures concerning the note forgeries, the Premier, Count Bethlen, interviewed the Regent, Admiral Horthy, to whom he gave a detailed report. The Regent expressed satisfaction at the manner in which the case was being conducted, and hoped that the inquiry would soon be brought to a successful conclusion. Meanwhile the Archduke Albrecht has resigned the presidency of the Hungarian National Unions on account of the incalculable damage to the interests and reputation of Hungary due to the plot, though he absolves the unions from implication in the conspiracy.—Reuter. EVIDENCE OF A ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP (Rec. January 10, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 9. Reuter’s Budapest correspondent says that up to the present nineteen arrests have been made in connection with the bank notes affair, including Hajts, the former chief, and five employees of the Carthographical Institute.

Giving evidence at the police inquiry the Roman Catholic Bishop Stefan Adravecz admitted that he knew the objects inspiring the forgeries, but dissociated himself therefrom directly he discovered the means proposed to be adopted.—Reuter.