A SWINDLER OF MILLIONS

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 22, 19 March 1918, Page 2

A SWINDLER OF MILLIONS

THE EXTRAORDINARY CAREER OF HENRI ROCHETTB.

The recent arrest and subsequent imprisonment of Henri Rochette, the notorious swindler of France, who was found fighting for his country as a common "poilu,” recalls one of the most extraordinary stories of modern times.

Less than twenty years ago a youngster named Rochette was earning a paltry living as a waiter at a cheap hotel in the French provinces. In this capacity he did not meet with much success, for his tips were not sufficient to keep him dressed lyBut suddenly the tables turned, for this poor provincial waiter had inherited £2OO. With this he went to Paris to achieve renown.

HIS WONDERFUL PERSONALITY. Rochette was of striking appearance. He was erect like a young poplar, and as lithe. His eyes shone with a fierce intentness, and he had open-lipped, constant smile. Over a well-shaped mouth projected the sharp, well-cut nose, a trifle too much like a beak. He was not exactly a handsome young man, hut he had charm and magnetism, and an ingratiating mood and manner. Little did the simple country folk of Etienne dream that the young peasant whom they nick-named “Foxy Rochette” was to become a great leader of finance, a high adventurer in whose wake politician.; and Ministers tottered and fell. The unknown waiter with the fox face invested his fortune and became a promoter. , He knew the thrifty, money-saving French provincials. Moreover, .in his • waiter's career, he had overheard the plannings and plottings of financiers who fattened upon these hard-working, hard-saving poor. Was it not an wasy way to make money ? thought he. Anyway he could have a shot at it. Two or' three years sped past and the name of the humble waiter became a household word in the land of the Tricolour.

WORTH £3,000,000. The whole country was investing in his companies ; everywhere the latest deals of his Franco-Spanish Bank and his Credit Minier et Industrie! Bank were being discussed, and the discussions were bringing his institutions the savings of thousands of small investors. The Bourse was dealing in the stocks of his innumerable mining and development companies. Fashionable and shrewd people were trying their luck with the lottery bonds of his Credit Fonder Bgyptien. He must be rich past dreams ! Seldom, however, did one encounter the great financier himself. Occasionally one might see him in the cafes of La Rue Montmartre with this or that favourite, but it was rare, for Rochette believed in working behind the scenes.

No one knew precisely the wealth that he had accumulated ; probably between two and three million pounds. It seemed incredible that this youngster of barely thirty years of age could have amassed such a fortune.

But no man rises to great eminence of wealth or power without making enemies. There must be victims, enemies, rivals. Henri Rochette had dealt with humanity like so much chaff. He had cut business throats without remorse and made implacable foes without a tremor.. Rich and powerful as he was, there were those who were stronger. There were thosa, too, who were vindictive from past wrongs and defeats. And there were the jealous. THE BOMBSHELL BURSTS !

Henri Rochette had taken many persons into his pay. Thereby he had won the suspicion and enmity of others. The bubble was swelling, and in 1808 it burst. Rochette, the spectacular promoter and banker, was arrested on a charge of violating the laws concerning stocks and bonds. He was tried, after some delay convicted, and sentenced to serve two years for his crime. Rochette made an appeal and was allowed his freedom. Pie went back to his office and manipulations, and made money faster than ever before. The easygoing people had an uncanny faith in the fox. It was not until 1911 that his appeal was decided, and Rochette was ordered another trial. Again the proceedings were delayed and then another bombshell burst. Mme. Caillaux shot M. Calmette, editor of “Le Figaro,” who had charged M. Caillaux’s husband with protecting Rochette from imprisonment for venal reasons. ■>. Everyone remembers the story of that tragic trial which ended in the acquittal of Mme. Caillaux. A FUGITIVE PROM JUSTICE. But the chief actor and conspirator, Henri Rochette, had fled long since. It was reported he was in Mexico, and arrangements were made with Francisco Madero, then in power, for his extradition. Rochette heard of the plan and fled over the roofs. The waiter who had become one of the greatest financiers and archswindlers of Prance, the man whose total fraudulent operations aggregated 150,000,000 francs £6,000,000),' became a world wanderer. He was reported in Ecuador, in Peru, in Brazil, where once the branches of his banks had done a profitable business. Men chased him in all parts of the world, hoping for the great reward that might be paid for his return to Prance. 4 * * * - *

Some four months ago a platoon of French infantry were returning to

rneir billets from the trenches, weary and footsore.

A smart young officer passed by in the opposite direction- As he came opposite the soldiers saluted. Suddenly the officer reined his horse to his haunches and sprang off. He ran over to a soldier in the last rank and held out his hand.

curious voice. “Mon cher Rochette!’ 1 The soldier bowed his head with a quizzical smile. “It is I,” he said.

The waiter from the provinces had heard the call of. his countrymen and returned to become M. Blank of the trenches, hoping that France would forget that he had been M. Rochette of the 150,000,000 francs.