NEWS BY MAIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 287, 28 April 1911, Page 2

NEWS BY MAIL

"JACK THE RIPPER." HOUSE PAINTER ACCUSED OF THIRTY-THREE OUTRAGES. Berlin, March 8. The police have arrested a housepainter named Richard Bennewitz on suspicion of being the criminal known a* "Jack the Ripper," who perpetrated a series of mysterious outrages iu Berlin two years ago. The first outrage occurred on February 9, 1909, when a woman named Mary Schafer was stabbed, and died almost immediately from loss of blood. I Two days later two girls were wounded by the "Ripper" while walki»g along one of the principal thoroughfares. Other outrages followed in quick succession, until thirty-three women had been the victims of this mysterious assailant. Finding the police were close on his track the "Ripper" fled to the provinces, and a woman was stabbed at Leipzig a few months later. The authorities claim that they have collected sufficient evidence to secure the conviction of Bennewitz in ten cases, and legal proofs of his participation in other similar outrages. LEVER BROS.' GREAT CONGO DEAL. . £1,000,000 CONCESSION FROM THE BELGIANS. i Brussels, March 6.

The Minister of the Colonies has come to an agreement with the firm of Messrs. Lever Bros., Port Sunlight, for the formation of a limited company, with a capital of £1,000,000, for the planting of palm oil trees and the establishment of a factory for the manufacture of oil predicts in the Congo. Tn the articles of agreement the company promises to pay its black laborers according to the scale set forth in the State regulations. The Colonial Council will be asked to approve the agreement at its next meeting. '

CONVICT AS POLICE CHIEF. CURIOUS STORY OF RECAPTURE AFTER FOURTEEN YEARS. New York March 3. A "Jean Valican" story in real life is revealed through the arrest of R. E. Morris, the chief of police of Danville, Virginia, on a charge of being Edgar Stripling, a convicted murderer, who escaped from gaol at Atlanta, Georgia, fourteen years ago.

He confessed after his arrest that he was the man wanted by the authorities, and Stripling is now in prison at Atlanta, charged with a murder committed in 1897. He is accused of killing a man who is alleged to have caused the downfall of his married sister. Stripling's brother-in-law was also arrested at the time, but Stripling asserted that he alone was responsible. Stripling was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, but he escaped by bribing his gaoler. He changed his name to Morris, and joined his wife and child, with whom he wandered about the southern States for several years. Finally he joined the police force at Danville, Virginia, and became the head of the police department six years ago, since which time he has gained an extensive local reputation for efficiency. Nine children have been born to him since his escape.

A few days ago a former acquaintance recognised Stripling and informed the Atlanta authorities. Detectives served the requisition papers yesterday, and Stripling was re-arrested. He requested a two hours' private interview with his family before going to Atlanta, and this was granted.

After Stripling was originally sentenced he lodged an appeal for a new trial. This was granted after his escape. Inasmuch as the decision of the Appeal Court was never rescinded, Striplin'g will nowise re-tried, and it is believed that he will be acquitted.