The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-03
GONE AFTER VOSS.
Special Agent Phenix
Slips Out of Town.
Testimony Needed to Convict the
Alleged Members of a Snug.
Cling Ring.

When the sensational arrests of Louis
Greenwald. George Wichman and George
n. Thomas were made few weeks ago
on the charge of being members Of ring
engaged in smuggling opium and Chinese
into this country from Victoria, the Gov
eminent officers announced that they had
n sure case. aud that convictions would
speedily follow. Instead of quick trials
and certain convictions, the cases have
dragged along. not because United States
District Attorney Garter did not want to
prosecute, but because he had no testi-
mony with which to convict, although he
will not admit it.
AT the same time that the men named
were indicted, the Grand Jury found in
dictments against Frederick Miller, who
is in the County Jail; John Mclean, who
dropped out Of sight. and two Swedes,
named NOss aud SvensoD, who are in Vic
toria, British Columbia. charging all of
them with being memb ers of the ring with
which Wichman, Thomas and Greenwald
are said TO have been connected. The SEX
tet are alleged TO have owned the yacht
Emerald and used ker as ''smuggler."
The yacht was found dIsmantled near
Hunters Point about the time the arrests
were made. and yesterday one of her boats
was found on the mud flats about mile
from where the yacht lay.
Against Voss, VINO was captain OF the
Emerald. and SvenSon, who was his mate,
the officers have conclusive testimony.
These two men were caught with snug
gled opium in their possession. gave cash
bail in the sum of $500 each, which they
forfeited, aud ran away.
Special Agents Phenix and Cullom have
been trying to coax Noss 10 return to San
Francisco and turn States evidence, but
the two smugglers. being safe in British
Column bis, have so sfar refused all offers.
1t is known that Voss would like to have
the charges against him dismissed, as he is
a coast sea captain but dare not take CON-
mand of a vessel that would be compelled
to touch at any United States port forsfear
he would be arrested. When Cullom In
terviewed Voss some weeks ago he told
the special agent that he was tired of life
on shore, but he refused to take the word
of the special agent because of the convic-
ton and imprisonment OF tue men who
turned States evidence against the snug
Cling ring in Portland, and who had been
promised freedom if they would so testify,
but who were afterward convicted and
imprisoned.
Special Agent Phenix has been trying to
get some assurance from the Government
which would satisfy Voss, secure him his
liberty and dismiss all cases against him il
he would come here and testify.
1t is evident he has succeeded in getting
what he wanted, for he quietly slipped out
OF town Thursday night Tor Victoria to see
V Oss and Svens0D. although the latter is
supposed to know nothing about the men
VINO owned the Emerald. PheniX tried to
hide his departure, and at his Office yester-
day one especial" would say he was in
town, another that he had gone down
south, until finally one special who be-
lieves IN the special agents getting due
credit for their work let slip the truth,
namely. that PheniX had gone to Victoria
wTth such pledges from tie Government as
would insure Voss' return here as a wit
ness.
District Attorney Garter would neither
deny nor admit the truth of the story, but
he was evidently annoyed that il was out.
From other sources it was learned that
PheDiX has been in correspondence with
the Secretary of the Treasury for some
weeks, ana tina: upon his representations
the Treasury Department has requested
Acknowledgement Olney to notify District
Attorney Garter TO enter nolle prOsequi
in all the suits against VOss and SvensOn
II. In his Judgment, he considers the evil
dence they can give of sufficient impor-
lance. PheniX will, therefore. first learn
from NOss what he will testify TO if
granted immunity and If Garter thinks
the evidence sufficient lie will then enter a
nolle.
Wichman. Thomas and Greenwald do
not appear in the least alarmed over the
prospects of Voss' return, but say If ne
Will come back and tell the truth he will
clear them.