The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-24
CAPTAIN SORE ON TmE ouBANs.
He scores Them in the Trial OF Ro-
Ion and Ruiz.

Baltimore. Md. March 23.-The case
against Gen. Carlos Rolofr, Cuban secre-
tary OF war. and DR.. Jose ]. Luis, for al
legged hhbustering, was begun before Judge
Morris in the United States district court
to-day. Gen. Roloff failed 20 appear, but
the other defendant and his counsel were
early I'm the court room.
Two indictments are held against the
Cubans One is for conspiracy for the
purpose of sending a military expedition
against u friendly power. The other
charges them with the fitting out and send
ing of such an expedition.
The expedition Is alleged TO have sail
ed from Baltimore on the steamship
Woodall on July O. 1895 Samuel Holmes,
steamship broker Of New York, was the
first witness. He testified that he had the
Woodall on his books but was notified by
Mr." Smith and Capt Hudson that
the latter had purchased the vessel.
James Woodall OF the shipbullding firm
of William L. Woodall & Son of this city
stated that he had sold the steamship to
Mr. Hudson for. $l3, 0OO He identified
Capt. Hudson as the purchaser.
Capt. Hudson was then called He de-
tailed the negotiations entered into in
New York by Roloff, Luis and himself
for the purchase Of vessel for hlibuster-
Ing purposes. lie and Roloff came 60 BAL
timore and bought the Woodall, After
the purchase money had been paid, the
captain stated that they took on privisions
enough to feed 100 men for more than a
month. Notwithstanding his crew com
prlsed only fifteen men. He sailed from
Baltimore July Q, 1895. Roloff being aboard
and shipping as one of the crew.
The vessel was hove to off Harbor Key
Florida, and several small boats ap.
preached. The Woodall took on board
from these vessels 153 men, most of whom
were dressed in the uniform of Cuban In.
surgents. A lot of loose arms were put
aboard, including rifles and machetes, as
were also GOO pounds of dynamite aad O
lot of dynamite caps. Four days after
leaving the keys the Woodall landed the
party and her cargo on the Santa Clara
coast OF Cuba
After luncheon Capt Hudson detailed
the movements OF the Woodall subsequent
TO the successful landing Of the expedi-
ton. He proceeded to Progresso, Yuca.
tan, and sailed thence for New Orleans
arriving at the latter port on Aug a. 1885
| He found instructions awaiting him 4
turn the vessel over to Mr.. White, wht
| took charge and paid off ana discharged
the crew. AS was stipulated in the agree
ment. each sailor was given $50 extra a.
qualification money" Capt. Hudson wal
not paid al New Orleans, and went
New York, after considerable correspond
ence with Luis and J. r. Smith, a shin
broker, az 159 SQpth- street New York.
| AccofdlnRa 70 hts agreement with tn,
| iunta. the Woodall was to be given q
| Hudson, provided he successfully landed
| the initial and two or three subsequent
| expeditions. As a further reward for hi:
| loyal services he was TO be made a com
modore IN the Cuban navy, "lf Cuba eVei
| had a navy" The junta went back" or
| Hudson, and refused to pay him the sal
arv agreed upon and his $500 "gratlfica
tion" money unless he relinqulshed al
claim on the Woodall. He finally did this
and the vessel was taken to New Yorl
and sold for $4,000. lie was then paid II
| full
Court here adjourned until tomorrow.
Capt John NJ. Hudson is a little sandy.
| haired man, with beard tinged with gray
| lie has small, twinkling, shifty eyes and
a defect in speech which makes his story
uninteliglbie three feet away, and he
Greatly retards the proceedings. A court
bailiff acted as interpreter for the cap.
tain.