The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-02-03
TRIAL Or ROLOFF AND
LUIS.
Two Cuban Patriots in Court.
Judges Charge.

Judges Charge.
Baltimore. Jan. 29.-The Federal
grand jury which is to hear the case
against the Cuban sympa'hizsrs Gen
Ralof and Dr. Luis. Tor violating the
neutrality act 10 connection With the
shipment Of men. arms aud ammuni-
ion to Cuba by the steamer Woodall.
met 10 the United States court to-day,
and after selecting Mr. Aubrey Pearre
at foreman, listened 10 vigorous
charge by Judge Morris.
The judge quoted the statute which
is alleged 10 have been violated, aod
added
This statute, is intended to ena-
Bile the couets Of the Ucited States to
punish those who violate the duty,
which the United States. as sovereign
goverpment. owes to other nations to
preserve strict neutrality and not per-
nit hostile military expeditions to be
fitted out 10 its territory to carry oo
operations against any nation or sever
eign with which the United States are
at peace This is duty which the
| Urited States exacts from other nations
and which it is 10 bonor bound dillgent-
ly TO enforce upon its own citizens.
Punishment against violators CT the
neutrality laws which every sentiment
of national honor demands shall be
f.l,hfuly enforced cao only be ica;cted
through the ins!rumeutality of an in
dictmeut of gract jury, so you have
grave and impairment duty to perform,
to which | Invoke aD enlightened, i'm
partial aud patriotic diligence"
Judge Morris, after calling attention
to the Presidents proclamation of June
81. 1895. which warned all persons Of
the disturbance 10 Cuba aud demanded
strict neutrality of Americans, said i:
If you should be satisfied by testimony
that vessel was purchased a, this port
aud sailed from here, and at some point
on ber voyage took 90 body of men
who we're under military command and
intended for hostile operations against
the Spanish authorities in Cuba, aud
that the persons who took part 10 pro-
curing. fitting out aud sending forth the
vessel from this port did so with the
design and knowledge that she was to
be used to transport such body Of men
under military com nand, then it should
become your sworn duty to 6od pre-
sentiment and indictment against
him
The punishment for a high misde-
meauor such as is charged in this case.
is provided for 10 section 5,286 of the
revised statutes, aud is for 6pe DOT
exceeding $4,000 and imprisonment
for not more than three years.
Uoi'ed States District Attorney Mar
bury was engaged in another trial to-
day and could cot therefore 60 before
the grand jury, but be expects to open
the case to morrow, when the govern
ment witnesses against Gen Rolo6 and
Dr.. Luis will give testimony.
Capt John NJ. Hudson, OF Book
lyu, wbo commanded the alleged fiji
clustering expedition which sailed from
here ou the James WoodalI, will be
the principal witness for the prosecu-
tiou. In an interview to-day be told
Why he turned States evidence. and
outlined the testimony be will give be-
fore the grand jury The captain
claims that be was dumped" by the
Cuban jouta for whom be risked bis life
aud liberty that a number of bis
crew made sworn statements of the
facts of the expedition. and be has been
liable to arrest and Imprisonment for
violating the United States neutrality
laws, the same as Capt. Wiborg Of the
steamer Horsa. who is DOW in the peni-
tertiary serving long sentence for an
exactly similar ofepse. Realizing that
he could not rely upon the Cuban junta
to protect him. he says be determined
to protect himself. by turning States
evidence, which be has done Hence
his presence here and the cases against
the lnstigators Of the expedition.
eve shall make some. disclosures at
the trial which will surprise the Cubap
junts, was Cap: Hudsou's concluding
|
statemeu. John CroDin aud John
Lockpey. two 6rcwep, WHO we're on the
Woodall, are are also to appear before
the Uoited States grand jury to-mor-
row as witnesses.