The San Francisco call., 1897-05-17

never knew that she wrote to him. Be-
Sides Ribas received all of the general
mail and wrote most of his letters. In
fact he wrote many letters that the gem
eral never knew anything about. But
then that is neither hero nor there.
Miss Blair presumed too mucn when
she imagined-if she did-that the gen
eral was madly devoted to her Just be-
cause he gave her presents. why, ne iaV-
ished presents upon every body, and costly
ones a that. He thought nothing OF CIV
ing diamonds to ladies who were almost
strangers to him and whom he never
thought of again. 1t was an everyday
occurrence with him. why, he spent
$40, 600 right here in San francisco alone.
.'As to this Blair scandal, the flrst lntl-
nation We had that trouble was brewing
was upon our arrival in New York after
returning from Europe. The general re-
ce1ved telegram from Castle Brothers
and Mr.. Hirsch, warning him not to re-
turn by way of San Francisco, as there
was a conspiracy on foot to black
mail him out of large sum OF
particulars. The general was thunder
struck and wired back for something more
definite. They could or would tell him
no more, however, and he left US for
Panama still in ignorance OF what was on
loot out here. He is still in the dark, for
l have received several kilograms from
him, and SO has Mr.. Hirsch, asking for
information. He will be hopping mad
when he gets the details of this scandal
Gus affair. am very sorry for him, ior
he is too good man to deserve such treat
ment."
Rbas does not occupy an altogether en-
via BILE position in the recent disclosures,
particularly in connection with the story
told by Attorney Dimond. Ribas lost his
job with the general during that Euro
pean tour. He and Miss Taber had fall
ing out during the trip and each pro-
ceeded to "knock' the other with the
general. The young lady came out vlcto-
rious and Ribas was sent 10 this city.
But Rlbas is still loyal to Barillas. and
declares that the whole Blair story was
blackmailing scheme concocteo by un-
scrupulous people. He denies emphatl-
cally that the Blairs were bought of,
or that they were induced by means OF
promises TO abandon the suit against
Barillas that was to be handed by Law
yer Dimond.
The other ram ifcations of the scandal
have simmered down to series OF de-
malls. Lillian Blair, when seen yester-
day, said she had nothing to add to her
first statement except to relterate that
her letters to the general were inter-
cepted and that she still loved the gen.
eral ana belleveS he SILL loves ner. one
asserts that she was led by deceitful and
designing people into consenting to sue
the general, but abandoned the idea the
moment she discovered the real motives.
She denies emphatically, and SO do all the
Blairs, that money was paid for their affi-
davlts clearing Barillas of all liability for
damages. Miss Lillian says again that she
knew all along that the general was a
married man and was in no way deceived
by him in that regard.
Attorney Eisner says that his connec-
ton with the affair was not other than
that of the friend and adviser of Louis
Hirsch, General Barillas' business agent
in this City. He denies positively that in
the procurement CT the Blair affidavits
any money was used. They were purely
voluntary statements, made when the par
ties found that they had been used as
catspaws by others. MIR. Hlrsch says the
same thing.
Attorney Dimond, however, adheres to
his original statement that he was re-
tanned by the Blairs to push the damage
suit against Barillas in all sincerity, and
declares that he in no way sought the
task. He still processes to believe that
his client was influenced to desert him
and repudia;e the proposed litigation, and
reitera es his declaration that Eisner and
Hirsch do not dare to give the affdavits
to the public.