The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-25
REVENGEFUL AGAINST RoL0FF.
CAPT. HUDSON HAS NO LOVE FOR
THE CUBAN LEADER.


! The Counsel for the Defense Tries in
Vain 10 Entrap the Captain Into a
Confession That lie Is Now I'm the
Pay of the Spanish Government.
The Captain Said He Never Would
Have Sailed Hnd He known ROlOn
WAS Going On the ExpeditiOu-A
Sailor Gives Damaging Testimony.
Baltimore, Md, March A.-For two
hours this morning, Capt. Hudson of the
alleged flibuster steamer Woodall under
went a searching cross-examination by
counsel in the case of DR.. Jose j. Luis,
who is on trial in the United States dis
trict court. on the charge of conspiracy
and sending a military expedition against
friendly power. Counsel attempted in
every possible way to trap the captain into
an admission that the Spanish government
was paying him for his testimony.
He admitted that he had been engaged
in flibustering in 1880. His sympathies,
he said. we're with Cuba, and when re-
preached by Gen. Johnson in a bantering
tone for trying to imprison a Cuban pa
triot ORoloff being meanD, the captain de-
clared that Roloff had treated him shah
billy.
He said that had he known that Roloff
was to go with him on the Woodall, he
would have thrown over the whole matter
Michael V. O'Nein of Baltimore, dealer
in nautical Instruments, gave unimport-
ant testimony.
John Cronin, fireman on the Woodal
testified that he shipped to Yucatan for
three months. He understood by his con-
tract that the vessel was to be used to
run up the small rivers to fetch fruit to
seaports His first intimation that all was
not right was when outside the capes the
vessel was run without lights. When the
soldiers came aboard at Egg Harbor
Cronin and the other members of the
crew registered a complaint. 1--WE did not
seek the honor of being called heroes at
the risk of our necks." he said The cap
tain evidently feared trouble with his
crew, for when the water ran short, he
manned boat with Cubans to go to a
small island to procure a supply. When
at ProgressO, the malcontents tried to
reach the United States consul, but fail
ed AT New Orleans the United States
commissioner was sought out They had
been badly treated and wanted their mon
ey and discharge. The money was paid
the crew after day or two. Under cross
examination Cronin admitted that for the
past eight weeks he had been paid $40
weekly by Mr.. Douglass" He professed
ignorance as to where the money came
from, and could not swear that the Span
lsh government did or did not furnish it,
john Lockney fireman, told practically
the same story as Cronin. Edward Cal
ley' whom he understood was superintend-
ent of Pinkerton agency, had paid him
u for . h..
that | would be on hand when the trial
came up"
William A. Lawrence of Newport News.
Va, assistant engineer on the Woodal.
was next called, but nothing new was de-
Veloped
John Erickson, a seaman, said he and
HVe other members of the crew had been
paid so each by Roloff after the soldiers
came aboard. The crew had become dis
satisfied and did not much relish the
chance OF being overhauled by a Spanish
warship.
Capt. Hudson was recalled. He was
| asked by the prosecution about a letter
written in March, 1885, by DIR. Luis to
John 7. Smith. Capt. Hudson remember
| ed the letter and a legal battle arose as
to the admissibility OF his recollection of
its contents.
Counsel for Luis pointed out that great
evil might arise should the witness make
the slightest mistake. The letter should
| be produced or the whole matter thrown
out.
Judge Morris overruled the objection
| and Capt Hudson said, to the best of his
| recollection, the letter, which was very
brief. was as follows: DO you know if
| Capt. Hudson is in town? If he is find out
if he Will take another party and let me
| know"
At this point an adjournment was taken
| till morning. 1t is expected that the case
| viii be concluded tomorrow.