IS STORY UNTRUE?

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 372, 14 March 1932, Page 1

IS STORY UNTRUE?

Police Discount Tale About Lindbergh Child. GANG OF FIVE CONCERNED. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. NEW YORK, March 12. The preparation and dispatch to all the police departments of the United States of a circular requesting information as to the whereabouts of the kidnapped Lindbergh baby, with a guarantee of strict confidence for any such data, was announced to-night at Trenton, New Jersey, by the State police. It is learned that an inmate of the Tombs Prison, who was taken to the home of Colonel Lindbergh at Hopewell, was one of five men whom the police suspected of having formulated a kidnapping plot against the Lindberghs last November. He was questioned at Hopewell and at Newark before being returned to prison. The New York police were proceeding on good information that a gang of five men had obtained detailed knowledge of Colonel Lindbergh’s activities in November, but it is understood that they abandoned the plot. The Baby’s Safety. Morris Rosner, stated to be the “ fixer ” appointed by Colonel Lindbergh, announced to-day that he had definite knowledge that the baby was alive and safe and would be returned to its parents. Rosner, on Saturday afternoon, in an interview, said that he was not able to reveal whether he had had an actual conversation or other direct communication with the kidnappers, but the statement that the baby was safe and well and would be returned was based on actual knowledge and was not in any way a mere matter of opinion. The kidnappers could be absolutely sure, he said, that nothing would ever be done towards prosecuting them, either by Colonel Lindbergh or himself. “We are pleading with them not to be afraid to rush negotiations. They know where they can find me.” Official Denial. The head of the State police, in response to inquiries, authorised the statement on behalf of the Lindberghs and the police that there was absolutely no truth in the Rosner story. Later, the police said they had not intended to deny Rosner’s story, but the police had no knowledge of Rosner and were unable to consider his statements as official. Henry Johnson is described as cleared of his participation in the kidnapping.