Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-30
GENERAL RoLoFF AND DIR. LUIS.
Case Against Them for Violation of
Neutrality Law.

BALTIMORE. MD. January 29.-The
Federal grand jury, which is 10 hear the
case against the Cuban sympathizers.
General noloff and DR. Luis. for violating
the neutrality act in connection with the
shipment Of men. arms, and ammunition
TO Cuba by the steamer Woodall. met in
the United States Court to-day, and after
selecting Mr. Aubrey Pearre as foreman,
listened 70 a vigorous charge by Judge
Morris
The Judge quoted the statute. which
is alleged to have been violated, and
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 govern
ment owes 10 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
eXacts from other nations. and which 1t
is In honor bound diligently TO enforce
upon its own citizens. Punishment
against violators Of the neutrality laws,
which every sentiment of national honor
demands shall be faithfully enforced, can
only be inflicted through the instru-
mentality of an indictment of a grand
jury, so you have grave and important
duty TO perform, 10 which j invoke an
enlightened, impartial, and patriotic dill
gence."
Judge Morris, after calling attention to
the Presidents proclamation Of June q,
1885 which warned all persons of the
disturbance in Cuba, and demanded strict
neutrality on the part OF Americans
said: IF you should be satisfied by testi
mOny 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
We're under military command and in
tended for hostile operation against the
Spanish authorities in Cuba, and that the
persons who took part in procuring, fit
ting out. and 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 command then 1t would become
your sworn duty TO lind presentment
and an indictment against hem"
The punishment for high misdemeanor,
such as is charged in this case, is pro-
Vided for in section 52S6 of the United
States Revised Statutes, and is a 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, 90 before the grand
jury. hut he expects to open the case to-
morrow, when the government witnesses
against General ROlom and DR.. Luis viii
give testimony.
CAPTAIN John NJ. Hudson. of Brooklyn.
who commanded the alleged filibustering
expedition which sailed from here on the
James Woodan 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 testimony he Will
give before the grand jury.
The Captain claims that he was dump
ed" by the Cuban Junta. for whom he
rislxed his life and liberty; that number
of his crew have made sworn statements
10 the facts OF the expedition, and that
he has been liable to arrest and impri-
sonment for violating the United States
neutrality laws. Just as was Captain WI
borg Of the steamer Horsa, who Is now
I'M the Pennsylvania prison, serving a
long sentence for an exactly similar Of
fence. Realizing that he could not rely
ON the Cuban Junta TO protect him, he
saws he determined 10 protect himself by
tnyning states evidence. which he has
cone Hence his presence here, and the
cases against the instigators of the eX-
petition. ,,,.,,o.,,~o. % tho
trial which will surprise the Cuban Jun
Ia" was Captain Hudsons concluding
John Cronin and John Lockney. two
fremen. who were on the Wocdall, are
aiso IN appear before the United States
Grand Jury tomorrow as witnesses.