Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-05-24
POSTALFRAUDSGROW
ARE SAID TO EXTEND THRoucH.
OUT ALL CUBA.
American Officers Amazed a the Rani-
fications of the Alleged Robbery-The
Havana Postmaster and Several SUBJ
ordinates Placed Under Arrest.

Further investigation into the defalca-
ton III the department Of posts in Cuba
mas brought to light shortage in the
Havana postoffice, and Postmaster
Thompson has been placed under arrest.
Deputy Auditor of the Island w. I'll.
Reeves and two Of the Cuban stamp
clerks have also been arrested, and more
arrests are likely to follow The frauds
are more extensive than was at first sup
posed. 1t is stated that there is a short
age of $4,000 in the Havana Office. Some
Of the men are believed to have been I'M
plicated with the ring in handling the
stolen stamps.
The ring supposed to have been headed
by Nicely probably made its thefts
through the stamp channel They repre-
sented stamps destroyed at 100000 more
than actual value, and then secreted that
amount in new stamps, which were de-
posted in the place Of money every month
when the returns came from the island.
Balances were thus kept correct, stamps
taking the place of money in the vaults.
When the auditors examined the sales of
stamps from Matanzas and other stations
the amount was found much larger than
that credited of cash or stamps on hand.
The military authorities are now get
ting returns from all stations of stamps
sold to compare with Neely's books. In
this way the approximate amount of the
alleged defalcation will be found Nicely
could have put up strong defense that
his balances are right and that it was
simply mistake in crediting sales if his
confederates had not confessed and turn
ed over $1,000 in stamps. 1t appears
that the frauds rami6ed in almost every
possible direction. Even the rented boxes
have been made a source of Legitimate
gain. Every additional revelation in
creases the amazement of the Americans
in Havana.
Mr.. Thompson in telling of his offense,
signed a sworn statement in which he
says that Sept. 16 last, being in need of
money, he took from the money order
funds $435, giving his memorandum as a
receipt for the same When the inspec
tons were held Mr.. Thompson ordered
clerk in charge of the money order de-
partment to place remittances received
that day, which would not have to be ac-
counted for until the following day. suffi-
cient to cover the amount of his receipt,
which was Herewith withdrawn until af-
ter the inspection. This was kept up I'M
til April {. when the special agents unex-
pectedly discovered the receipt, which Mr..
Thompson then paid.
1t is asserted by lawyers that on Mr..
Thompson's own statement he is liable to
conviction for embezzlement, according to
the provisions of the postal law, which
are very explicit.
Postmaster General Smith to Wash
ington correspondent said that the dis
patches from Havana and other publica-
lions concerning the defalcations in the
postal service there are very much exag-
gerated That considerable amount Of
money has been stolen is, he says, unfor-
tunately true and thorough investiga-
ton is in progress, but the disclosures up
to date do not justify the sensational re-
ports that are in. circulation. 1t is as
serted that the prosecution Of the offend
ers will be carried on with all possible
energy.