The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-30
.FILIBUSTERS NOW UNDER FIRE
SQUALLY OUTLOOK FOR GEN. RO-
LOFF AND DIR. LUIS.

The Federal Grand Jury at BaIti-
more Listens TO n Vigorous Charge
From Judge MOrris-The Captain
of the WOOdaII Turns states Evil
dencc Against the Accused and
Promoters of the ExpeditiOn--FIe
Promises TO Make Disclosures Thae
VIII Surprise the Cuban Junta.
Baltimore, Nd, Jan. 29.-The federal
grand jury, which is to hear the case
against the Cuban sympathizers, Gen-
Roloff and DR.. Luis, for violating tho
neutrality act in connection with the ship
ment OF men, arms and ammunition to
Cuba by the steamer Woodall, met in the
United States court to-day, and after Sc
lecting Aubrey Pearre. foreman. listened
to a vigorous charge by Judge Norris.
The Judge quoted the statute which -
alleged to have been violated and addeds
"This 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 government,
owes to other nations to preserve a strict
neutrality and not permit hostile military
expeditions to be fitted out in It's 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 il is In honor bound diligently
TO enforce upon its own citizens. Punish-
ment against Violators of the neutrality
laws, which every sentiment of national
honor demands hall be faithfully enforced,
can only be inflicted through the instru-
mentality of an Indictment of a grand
1 1trYsx huNr an INN fa n
duty TO perform to which l invoke an en-
! lghtened impartial and patriotic dili-
| gence."
Judge Morris, after calling attention to
| the Presidents proclamation of June 1,
1895, which warned all persons of the dis
| turbance in Cuba and demanded strict
neutrality of the United States. said IF
| you should be satisfied by the testimony
| that vessel was purchased at this port
and sailed from here, and at some point
| on her voyage took on board a body OF
men from the United States, who were
/ under military command and intended
| for hostile operation against the Spanish
| authorities 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 1t should become your sworn
duty to find a presentment and indict-
meut against them"
The punishment for high misdemean-
| or, such as is charged in this case, Is pro-
vided for I'm section 5286 Of the United
States revised statutes. and is for fine
not exceeding 5000 and Imprisonment for
not more than three years.
| United States District Attorney Marbury
| was engaged in another trial to-day and
could not therefore go before the grand
| jury but he expects to open the case to-
| morrow, when the government witnesses
against Gen. Rolof and DR.. Luis will give
| testimony.
| Capt. John M. Hudson of Brooklyn, who
| commanded the allegel hnbustering expe-
/ dltion, which sailed from here on the
| James WOodall, will be the principal wit
ness for the prosecution. In an interview
| to-day he told why he turned states evil
| dence and outlined the evidence he will
! give.
He claims that number of his crew
! have made sworn statements to the facts
| of the expedition and that he has been
| liable to arrest and imprisonment for vio-
| latiug the United States neutrality laws,
the same as Capt, Wiborg of the steamer
| Horsa, who is now in the Pennsylvania
| penitentiary serving long sentences for
| an exactly similar offense. Realizing that
he could not rely upon the Cuban junta
to protect him, he says he determined to
| protect himself by turning states evil
dence, which he has done. Hence his pres-
| ence here and the cases against the insti-
| gators of the expedition.
I'VE shall make some disclosures at the
trail which will surprise the Cuban jun
ta," was Capt Hudson's concluding state
ment.
John Cronin and John Lockney, two fire.
men, who were on the Woodall. are also
to appear before tho United States grand
jury tomorrow as witnesses.