New-York tribune., 1900-05-18
THOMPSON GIVES BAIL.
RESTORED TO FREEDOM ON FURNISH
ING A SMALL SUM.
THE CHARGES AGAINST THE POSTMASTER
OF HAVANA AND OTHERS
UNDER ARREST.

Havana. May 1.-THE principal charge
against the Havana Postmaster, f. P. Thomp-
son. who. with W. H. Reeves. Deputy Auditor
of the island. and Edward. Moya and Jorge Mas
caro-. Cuban clerks in the stamp department,
was arrested yesterday and lodged in the Vivac,
the Tombs of Havana, will be that he entered
into conspiracy with Carrydon Rich the clerk
who has confessed to a knowledge of many of
the transactions and who will give evidence for
the Government whereby the tracks of c. F. w.
Neely. the arrested Financial Agent of Posts,
might be covered. The prosecution says Thomp-
son deliberately changed vouchers and ordered
and directed that changes be made in the books
and accounts, with the manifest intention of
shielding Neely. if possible
Moya and Mascara admit selling over S1SOo
worth of old issue OF stamps through the
windows, which were not called for in the requi-
sition =
Thompson says that though he ordered the al
teration of certain figures at the request Of
Rich, still he did without knowing that they
were of a criminal nature. He thinks he might
have been treated with more consideration
either dismissed requested to resign. -Thomp-
sons bail fixed at $4,000 cash, but was
ultimately reduced to $1,000, which was depos-
tied in cash by the Danish Consul. Herr Gull
nell, wealthy merchant.
The bail of Moya and Mascara has been re-
CucSd TO Sl,,rtb, which Is not yet forthcoming
Reeves viii be allowed to remain at his own
home, In charge of special agents. During the
Investigations now in progress he will be called
upon daily to give evidence and it is also felt
that bail required of him would necessarily be
heavy, and would probably not be forthcoming.
1t is reported here that Neely has admitted
that his ball deposit was his own money, and
request will be made for the seizure of that
amount belonging to the Postal Department
should it prove that the funds came out of his
own pocket. 1t is also felt that in the circum-
stances his bail is excessively light Although
he first charged with peculations to the
obtained the larger part of the 100000 which
Is said to cover the defalcation.
The special agent who is making inquiries at
Raracoa reports that the postmaster there has
been acting as business representative of Nicely
ard has received from him during the last few
months ST., 800 for a cocoanut grove and coffee
plantation. No suspicion rests upon the Baracoa
postmaster.
Much sympathy is felt here for Thompson
among both Americans and Cubans The gen
eral belief is that although, owing to the general
laxity of the department.. he may have tenn
porarily used funds belonging to the office. which
were afterward repaid, he nevertheless acted IN
nocently far as altering the records at the
request OF Rich concerned.
Messrs. Smith and Fosner, the inspectors who
arrived yesterday, have been examining Mr.
Rathbone This afternoon they were in confer
ence with General Wood for more than an hour
and then went to see Reeves They decline to
furnish any information whatever as to the re-
suit of their inquiry