Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-30
BETRAYED BY THE CAPTAIN
General RoIoff and DR.. Luis
May Land in Prison.
JUDGE MORRIS CHARGE.
To the United States Grand Jury at Baltl-
more Vigorous One.
VIOLATING THE NEUTRALITY ACT
Is an Offense Punishable by Fine and I'M
prisonment, and the Defendants
Have Strong Testimony to
Face on Trial.

Baltimore, Jan. 29.-The federal grand
jury, which is to hear the case against
the Cuban sympathizers, Gen. Roloff and
DR.. Luis, for violating the neutrality act
in connection with the shipment of men,
arms and ammunition to Cuba by the
steamer Woodal, met in the United States
court room today, and after selecting Mr..
Aubrey Pearre, a foreman, listened to
vigorous charge by Judge Morris. The
Judge quoted the statute which is al
legged to have been violated, and added:
1.-THE statute is intended to enable the
courts of the United States to punish
those who violate the duty which the
United States, as a sovereign govern
ment, owes to other nations to preserve
strict neutrality and not permit hostile
military expeditions to be fitted out in
its territory to carry on operations
against any nation or sovereign with
which the United States are at peace.
This is a duty which the United states
exact from other nations and which II Is
in honor bound to diligently enforce upon
It's, own citizens. Punishment against
violators of the neutrality laws, wnicn
every sentiment of national honor de-
mands shall be enforced, can only be IN
f1icted through the fundamentally OF an
indictment of a grand jury; so you nave
a grave and important duty to perform,
to which / invoke, an enlightened, I'M
partial and patriotic diligence.
Judge Morris, after calling attention to
the Presidents proclamation of June 70,
1895, which warned all persons OF the
disturbance in Cuba and demanded strict
neutrality of Americans, said: -,
IF you should be satisfied by testi-
mony that vessel was purchased az inns
port and sailed from here and at some
point on her voyage took on board body
of men from the United States VINO were
under military command and 1ntenueu lor
hostile operation against the Spanish au-
thorities in Cuba. and that the persons
who took part in procuring fitting out
and sending forth the vessel from this
port, did so with the design and knowl.
edge that she was to be used to transport
such a body of men under military COM
mand, then it should become your sworn
duty to find presentment anu inuic'-
ment against them" I,'.f.s.l ,1iI.
The punishment for high mis-
demeanor, such as is charged In th1s case,
is provided for in section 52S6 or the
United States revised statutes, and is 1or
a fine not exceeding $4,000 and imprlson-
United States District Attorney Mar
bury was engaged in another trial TO-DAY
and could not therefore go before tne
grand Jury, but he expects 10 open lhe
case tomorrow, when the govern5hgan. ai.
witnesses against General It0iol uiiu DA'
Luis will give testimony.
Can't. John H. Hudson, of Brooklyn,
who commanded the alleged filibustering
expedition which sailed from here on the
James Woodall, will be the principal VIII
ness for the prosecution. In an lnterVlew
today he told why he turned states evi,
dence. and outlined the testimony he VIII
give before the grand jury. The captain
Claims that he was dumped" by Lne
Cuban junta, for whom he risked ms Ire
and liberty; that a number or his crew
have made sworn statements to the facts
Of the expedition, and that he has been
liable to arrest and imprisonment Tor
Violating the United States neutrality
laws. the same as Capt. Wiborg, OF the
steamer Horsa, who is now in the Penn
svlvania penitentiary serving long sen
tence for an exactly similar ofense.
Realizing that he could not rely upon the
C,uban iunta to protect him, he says ne
determined to protect himself by turning
states evidence, which he mas cone.
Hence his presence here and the cases
against the instigators of the expedition.
'sWe shall make some disclosures at the
trial which will surprise the Cuban Jun
ia" was Capt. Hudson's concluolng
statement. John Cronin and John Lock-
ney. two firemen who were on the
Woodall, are also to appear before the
United States grand jury tomorrow as