Evening journal., 1895-09-11
WITH FRIENDS OF CUBA
The Case in the Hands of the
United States Grand Jury.
WARRANT FOR CAPTAIN HUGHES


Consui-He Commands the Lourada,
Supposed to Be the Steamer Engaged
TO Take the Expedltion-He is Not
scared-John smith Pays a Fine.
The trial of the twenty Cuban patriots,
chsrged with being concerned in an
expedition In support OF the brave men
who are fighting for Cuba Libre. con
tinues to arouse the greatest enthusiasm
and the United States court room was
crowded all yesterday.
The heRrtiest sympathy is shown for
the prisoners on all sides and IL Is safe to
say that we're q vote taken to- day the
result would be overwhelmingly IN
their favor Merchants, business men,
and citizens generally, freely expressed
their leaning towards the men who are
trying to take the Pearl of the Antilles
from under the yoke and tyranny Of
Spain.
One venerable man, who belongs to
the sect which is ever aclive In the
cause OF Peace remarked to an EVENING
JOURNAL reporter: Il am opposed to
war, but l don't hesitate TO tell thee
that do hope the Cubans will win
United States Attorney J. c. VRude-
grift made a strong argument In favor
OF the handing Of the letters to the
grand Jury, and afte- he got through
aoratio s. Rubens made a strong plea
Ia support Of Mr.. Wards argument
Judge Wales decided that the letters
could 60 before the grand jury. This
is, said he, the first time the cou-t has
been called on beforehand to decide
whether evidence should be given the
grand Jury. and said that the proper
time to make the objection was when
the case was on trial
At 40 the grand jury csme into court
and handed in a tue bill against John
Smith for selling liquor without license
At the instsrcs Of the Spanish repre-
sentatives In Philadelphia a warrant has
been issued in Wilmington for the arrest
of Captain Thomas II. Hughes. command
ing the steamer Lourada, OF the Hart
Steamship Line, on charge that his ship
was the one which the party WIS to meet
and take for Cuba.
The Lourads was TO have sailed on
August q for Port Moran. Jamaica
When she started to leave ths wharf,
however, It was found that her engines
were out Of order Men were put TO
work st once aud she did not sail until
August 20 All this time the vessel was
under the suspicion Of the custom house
authorities Collector OF the Port Reed
had the Lourada thoroughly searched
before the day set for her sailing Then
lust before she did SAIL on August 20
she WAS searched again by the govern
ment officfrs. and not the slightest
thing was found Of q contraband nature.
Those who have caused the warrant
to be issued for Captain Hughes, Il Is
said claim to have evidence that he was
TO load quite large amount Of arms and
ammunition, and that they can connect
him with one fnbusterlng expedition ct
least, II not more. They also say that
they have evidence enough to seize the
vessel If they 50 desire
The Loura5a arrived at Port Moran g day
or SO ago, and 10 is understood thAt word
that the Wrrrant had been issued for Osp-
tain Hughes was sent 10 him. The csptsiH
evidently was not scared for be will
secure load OF fruit and sail directly
with It for this port.
A close friend OF Captain Hughes, who
is thoroughly familiar with the whole
affair, hsd this to say yes erday
Captain Hughes has not the slightest
fear of the outcome He Is now gather
ing his cargo of fruit. and will arrive In
this citv somewhere bet tween September
Is and 2l Upon his srrival he will
submit 70 arrest, but will have friends
uear at hand who will be ready TO 60 on
his bond, aud then there will be an
opportunity to test the whols matter. To
begin with there Is not tao slightest
evidence In existence that Captain
Hughes intended 10 take these Cubans
and their frms aboard when he sailed
down the river. His vessel was Gle ared
for Port Moran. Jamaica, ard be could
have loaded it TO the decks with firearms
and ammunition. aud no one would have
any right to stop him
Il understand that the Federal
authorities also intend TO g 70 the ship
II they do that. just how far citizens OF
this country can go will be determined.
/ maintain that the so called neutrality
laws are unconstitutional. and the
friends Of Captain Hughes will welcome
an opportunity TO test them. This
governments duty ends when 1t stops
vessels sailing TO ports ia Cuba from
carrying arms maintain Il has not
the right TO stop vessel sailing to any
other port
The Lourada is a vessel especially
equipped TO carry an expedition. She Is
about 800 feet long, with a steel hull
that will resist ordinary shots. She has
made under pressure fifteen knots an
hour. Captain Hughes, who has been
with the line for number Of years, is
said to be one OF the most fearless men
on ths water.
A number Of ladies. friends Of the
Cuban patriots, we're In court this morn
ing and the dingy room WAS made
brighter by their presence. After the
crier had opened court Judge Wales
directed that counsel for the Cabans be
sent for. This was done and about 10 10
Messrs. Ward, Rubens aud Bsnoit
entered the court room.
nited States Attorney l. O. Var de-
grift addressed the court aud stated that
there was but one case before the petit
jury, that Of John Smith, colored, charged
with selling liquor without a liesnse on
big Quarterly" The prisoner had
expressed his desire to plead guilty and
consequently there was no work
for the petit jury until the
grand jary reported again. The
only case now before that body was that
Of the Cubans and there would probably
be no return until the early part Of the
week He suggested that the petit Jury