The times., 1897-03-24
R0L0FF FAILS TO APPEAR
But Dr.. Luis Is Present at His
Trial.
CAPTAIN HUDSON TESTIFIES
He Tells About the Purchase OF
the Woodall and How She Took
on Men and Arms at Florida
Keys and Lands Them in Cuba.
Details of the Expedition.

Baltimore, March 23.-Gen. Carlos Ro-
loft, the war secretary Of the Cuban
junta, was as strikngly absent at the
trial today in the United states court
of DR.. Joseph j. Luis on the charge Of
fiIibustering as he was when the same
gentleman was arraigned about month
ago. Whether he is in Baltimore await
ing another opportunity or In Cuba nght-
ing for the cause, he evidently considered
that Il courtroom was not the place for
a military man of his Caliber.
Dr. Luis, Gen. R0Ioff's alleged partner
In crime, was on hand. He came to
the city this morning from New York.
and was in the courtroom before Judge
or prosecuting attorney.
The case opened with legal battle
There were two indictments against the
accused. one was for preparing and set
ting on foot military expedition against
Cuba, a country with which the United
States was at peace The other was for
conspiracy for the purpose OF fitting out
such an expedition
District Attorney MdTbUry asked that
the indictments be consolidated and DR..
Luis tried on both at once. This was op-
posed by Mr. owens, counsel for DR.. Luis,
and Judge Morris decided that Mr.. Mar
bury must elect on which indictment the
accused was to be tried Mr.. Marbury Sc
leCUed the Indictment charging conspiracy.
The alleged conspiratoTs were DR.. Luis,
Gen Roloff and John T Smith.
The defense wanted to ask the jurors
questions about their acquaintance with
Snanisfl consuIs and PinkeTtGu detectives,
but all Of these were Ovtrrule,I. Eighteen
i1roTs were drawn, and each side was
allowed to strike three. Two Jurors ex-
pressed active sympathy for Cuba One
was a member Of a Cuban league One
was stricken from the list
There were clerks and merchants. jew
eIers and labors and brokers on the list.
Capt John NJ. Hudson of the steamer
James WoodalI, was the star witness.
Capt Hudson said he had known Dr.
Luis since 1886 He met him in June, 1895
at the boatshop of John T. Smith, No. 159
South street, New York. Dr. Luis asked
witness to look out for vessel to carry
men and arms 1t was not said what men
or where. witness and Smith, whom wit
ness had known for thirty years. found at
the office of Broker Holmes, that the
Woodall was for sale for $4,000. The
nrice was cut down to $4,000 Witness
and Kingsley, a ship mechanic. came to
Baltimore TO examine the vessel They
returned and reported TO Smith and Dr..
Luis witness was given $4,000. IN six
teen 1000 bills. by Smith The money
was pad over to- Smith ny DR.. Luis. The
extra 81 900 was to fit out the vessel.
witness did not then explain what became
of the other $4,000.
witness came to Baltimore July 20 TO
fittbe vessel It was provisioned for 900
men for a month.
Witness sailed from Baltimore July 3,
1895. in company with Roloff. Roloff went
as a passenger under the name of Miller
Witness found on the Keys 153 men They
were Cubans and Colomhians- Fifty-three
were left there by the George W. Childs,
which was unsuccessful in landingits eXpe-
iItion.
The expedition was under command or
RoIoff. who was called general The other
urincipaI officers were Gen. Sanehi, Gen
Rodriguez and Col. Castillo.
The expetIitiOn was landed at the mouth
of n river on the south coast or Cuba,
fifteen miles from Trinidad, in the Santa
Clara province. The vessel reached the
shore about dark and the cargo was taken
in four small boats 60 shore 1t took four
hours.
witness stuck in the mud thirty minutes,
then weighed anchor and sailed to Pro-
rresso. Yucatan. He stayed there twenty