ABYSSINIAN HOAX.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10020, 16 April 1910, Page 5

ABYSSINIAN HOAX.

THE HOAXERS IDENTIFIED. PUNISHMENT INFLICTED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Received April 15, 10 a.m. LONDON, .April 14. The "Daily Express"' slates that a number of young naval officers have been identified as the authors of what is known as the ''Abysainian Hoax.'* One was compelled to apologise to the Commander-in-Chief, two of the hoaxers submitted to a caniug, and a fourth, who is ill, and the girl were pardoned. The hoax—a most daring one—was enacted in February on board »he battleship Dreadnought, the flagship of the Commander-in-Chief of theHome Fleet During the week a telpgrarn, purporting to be sent by. Sir Charles Hardinge, the Perroaner.t ..Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs. was received on board the vees«\K. then lying off Portland. It dmtainfe«C the information that Pnncf Mf>k«l>i{ and suite would arrive in the afternoon, and have instructions that they were to receive every acu« - tion. In this particular case ihn telegram appeared to be authentic, and every fitting arrangement w»s made ;to welcome Prince Makalitt and his suite. When, later in the aiteroon, the dusky visitors, with a» '"attache" and an "interpreter" atrived at Portland a steam pinnace from the Dreadnought awaited them* j and they were conveveu to me I battleship. The party anived when the light was beginning to go, and the officers of the ship who happened to be on board, showed them marked courtesy, and explained everything ot general interest about the vesse ; . The patty consisted of four person*,, made up of the two princes, attache- ! and interpreter. One is a fierjth s m"n belonging to a noble family, and the lady is a sister of one of the. other actors in the comedy. No or trouble was spared. Real jewels were nought for a considerable sum. and the details of the costumes were well thought out. A sky-bloe siik robe, beautifully embroidered, was made for the lady, and the m* . of the party were provided with equally gorgeous attire.