Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-25
CUBAN FILIBusTERs ON TRIAL.
Captain Hudson of the steamer |
woodnII Gives Damaging Evidence.


woodnII Gives Damaging Evidence.
NEW YORK, Jan. 24.-Examlnation into
the case of General Rolof secretary Of war
to the so-called Cuban republic, DR.. Jose
Louis and Editor Enrique Trujillo of FL Por-
vonir, who we're arrested recently for alleged
violation of the neutrality act In connection
with the steamships Woodall and Horsa in
the months Of June and November, 1885, Is
in progress before United States Commits
soner Shields. The trip OF the Woodall was
the first one taken up for investigation. John
Cronin, fireman, testified for the govern
ment He says General Rolof was on board
the Woodall during the voyage in question;
that the Woodall cleared with cargo OF
coal, but at sea the coal was put on board
lighters and in it's place arms and ammunl-
tion were received. This witness said that
person named Douglas had induced him
to testify and had paid his expenses and
was giving him $40 week while he was be-
Ing held as a witness.
John Lacrey, another OF the Woodalrs fire
men, hailng from Baltimore. also testified.
He had seen General Roloff go on shore when
the Cuban passengers were landed in Cuba.
Captain John NJ. Hudson, who commanded
the steamer Woodall on the voyage, was ex-
amined as a witness for the prosecution. He
said he had been conveying expeditions to
Cuba since 1880, when he first met General
Roloff. He told of the purchase of the Wood
all by Dr. Luis for SIS 900. Then Dr. Luis
condition for sea. He next met Dr. Luis
and General Rooff at Baltimore, and on July
o. 1895, the Woodall put to sea. The prison
ers gave witness orders what to do about pur-
chasing coal and supplies, which cost alto
gether about $4,000. General Roloff was
present when the crew was shipped for Pro-
gresso. and at sea the former told him they
would take $50 men aboard at Arbor key.
The men came aboard at that point from sew
| eral schooners, with arms and ammunition.
| About Geo rifles were taken on the Woodall
from the schooners Then the steamer
started for Cuba. stopping at an island on
| the way The trip took seven days, and a
| landing was effected about five miles west of
the mouth of the River Tayabacoa. All or
| ders during the trip were given by General
| Rolon, who went ashore with General San
chez, the 150 men, arms and ammunition
| After the landing the Woodall proceeded to
| Progresso for the purpose of carrying back
| another expedition to Cuba. 1t fell through
and then Captain Hudson according to or
ders. returned with the steamer to New Or
leans, where he met DR.. Luis. During crcss.
| examination the witness said he learned
some time ago that his crew had given him
| away, and as he had been cast overheard by
| General Roloff and DR.. Luis, he decided tc
save himself by becoming witness for the
prosecution He conferred with the Spanish
consul here, and later brought a civil suit
| against the prisoners which Is now pending
Captain Hudson denied that he was al pres
ent in the pay of the Spanish government OF
that the United States authorities had prom
| ised him immunity.
This closed the taking of testimony agains
General Roloff and DR.. Luis. No testimon,
was offered by the defendants. Commits
sioner Shields adjourned the case until mex
Saturday.
The charges against Editor Enrique Tru
tlllo were taken up. Here again Captair
Hudson was the principal witness He sait
he first met the defendant in November. 1895
and at Truiillos request hired the tugboa
Charon and the lighter Stanahan and pu
men and arms aboard the Horsa, then lyin,
OH Barnegat Captain Hudson further sclC
ne mad also informed the Spanish consu
about the Horsa expedition, and signifed hi
desire to become a Spanish witness in th
prosecution OF Trujillo. The examination o
Trujillo was continued until February 3. HI
furnished bail