The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-06-11
SPANISH PRISONERS.
Those Taken on Board Captured
Prizes Not Abused.

WASHINGTON, June 10. j. M.
STRIPPING. United States Attorney for
the southern District of Florida has
transmitted to the Department of Just
Ice copy of the testimony recently
taken IN the matter of the charge made
in April last to Admiral Sampson by
Naval Cadet Needham Lee Jones' In
these charges it is alleged that the Off
GERS of the Spanish prize steamer Gaia
lonla, Algonquin, Pedro and Miguel
iowa, were treated in an insolent man
ner by the United States Marshal and
other officers connected with his de-
partment, who were charged further
with pifering from these vessels.
The testimony tends to show that
the charges of Cadet Jones were en-
tirely unfounded
By instructions Of the court, the off,
GERS of these Spanish vessels appeared
before the court. The Captain of the
Catalonia stated categorically that the
United States Marshal did not give him
orders in very summary and insolent
manner; that Cubans did not come
aboard and scatter over the ships. even
to the cabins of the Captain or the
staterooms of the officers, as charged
by Cadet Jones, and that no person
who came aboard the ship used any Of
fensive language of was guilty of any
offensive conduct
Captain Gano of the Catalonia also
stated under oath that the United
States Attorney and prize attorney
did not refuse to send him an attorney.
as charged, nor did he hear any of
fensive remarks of any character re-
f1ecting upon the Spaniards; that at
no time We're the guards guilty Of any
misconduct offensive to him or to the
officers of the ship or crew They all
behaved very WELL" said Captain Gano.
Manuel Morales. First Officer of the
Catalonia, was called, and in answer
to inquiries stated that nothing had
been pilfered from that ship; that the
conduct of the Deputy Marshals and
officers had always been correct and
gentlemanly, and that there was moth
ing of which he could complain in their
conduct.
Captain Kirchoffer of the Miguel
iowa, after listening to the charges
preferred by Cadet Jones, said that he
had nothing in that respect TO say but
thanks for the treatment he had re-
ceived during his stay in port. The
conduct of the officers and guard. he
said, was very friendly with the crew
and officers aboard the ship. lie de-
MED that there had been anything abu-
sive, insolent, arbitrary or improper in
any way. Not the least thing to conf
plain off, he said.
The Captain also denied that he had
said to anyone that the men were talk
ing what they pleased, or that they
We're going through his personal effects.
Il could not say that" he said. ''be-
cause no such pilferng was going on.
and l have not the least thing to COM
plain Of.
Miguel iowa, said: II do not know of
anything that has been taken from
here, and the way they have treated me
could not have been better"
Sebastian Bonet, Captain Of the Pc
dro, and Malvino Lagos, Master Gf the
Argonauta, fully corroboratod all of the
statements of the officers of the other
vessels and completely refuted the
charges of Cadet Jones'
The officers of the courts and United
States Marshals officers we're also
sworn in by their own half. denying
in detail all of the allegations that had
been made by Cadet Jones. Upon the
evidence the court finds as follows:
THE court fails to find any satisfac-
tory evidence of any misconduct on the
part of any of the officers or employees
Of this court which would call in any
way for action whatever"