The evening times., 1900-05-15
CUBAN FRAUDS THE TOPIC
The Postal Scandals Discussed at
Length by the Cabinet.
The Administration INDIGNANT af
NeeIy's Alleged Betrayal of Trust.
Failure of Attempt to show the
World How to Run an Honest Gov
ernment for the Islands Residents

The Cabinet meeting this morning was
occupied almost entirely with considera-
tion OF the Cuban frauds. The members
OF the Administration are filed with con-
stantly increased indignation that one
whom the American Government had en-
trusted with the management Of affairs in
Cuba should disgrace himself and his coun-
Try by slch a scandal as the present one
As Cabinet member said after the meet
ing:
I'VE started 10 run things in Cuba with
the purpose OF showing the world how to
DO il. and now to have frauds OF this kind
arise is sickening"
According 20 the advices received by
members Of the Cabinet, there is no rea-
son for believing that the scandal viii
grow 10 much larger proportions The
members feel confident that the worst has
been discovered, and that probably the
present reports are exaggerations.
Up TO the present time, nothing is said
TO have been found discriminating any off,
cial besides Nicely, and perhaps Rich. but
those IN authority over them have shown
IneXcusatle incapacity or negligence
The action Of the Administration in re-
Iieying Major Rathbone from the manage
msnt Of affairs n the island was approved
BY the Cabinet. He has not been proven
70 be connected with the frauds, but the
/ officials feel that be should not have per-
mitIed them TO continue The action OF
/ General Wood in retiring Mr.. Thompson
I the postmaster al Havana. was a surprise
/ 20 the members Of the Cabinet and they
/ are awaiting information before forming
l an opinion Mr. Thompson was not car
I dicate for the place. When Il was found
/ Necessary 10 choose a man for the respoc-
| sible position, the field was carefully ea.i-
yassec viii the aim Of getting the best
possible man. Three persons who had for
rerly acted as Assistant POstmasters Gen
eral were favOrably considered Two OF
them were unavailable as they could not
accept the place.
Mr.. ThomPson happened 70 be Olsen
gagged, and was teIegraphed a p-0fer Of
the position. which he accepted II came
quite as a surprise 10 him He has the
hearty endorsement Of nearly al the In
dana people. and Senator Fairbanks said
a day or so ago when calling al the White
House NO matter what crookedness YOU
find in Cuba. you can depend upon Post
master ThOIpsOn's honesty and integrity
The Cabinet officials are not inclined to
believe that there was any Widespread
conspiracy among the members OF the PCS
tai service II Cuba. They think that such
a thing would be impossible in view OF the
character Of MT. Thompson and one or twO
other oeheiaIs there-
The work OF auditing the postal ac-
counts on the island VIII take perhaps 4
month So much tine would not be needed
but for the fact that the country Offices
where there has been much room for
fraud. are remote from the centres OF the
island
The Attorney General looks for some
Neely 10 Cuba for trial. but has no doubt
Of the ultimate success Of the endeaYOrs
be VIII make
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
BriStOW. who was assigned yesterday By
Postmaster General Smith 10 proceed 20
Cuba. Will sail tomC-rOw afternoon Mr..
BristOw VIII assume charge Of the postal
agents OF the island, supervise the eLamil-
alton OF the Cuban posJOf5ces AID postal
officials. direct all the affairs CT the post
Office IN Havana. sUperinJend the trans
pOTtatiOn and delivery Of mails throughout
the island. and become personally respCn-
sible for every expense account submitted
10 the military authorities for approval.
Mr. Bristow, in speaking of the matter
this morning. said that he, being the s1pe-
riOr Cf Mr. RathbOne, would naturally as
sumo charge Of postal affairs in Cuba Il
not being absolutely necessary to mean q
Suspension CT Mr. Rathbole-
Both Postmaster General Smith and As
Z siStant Postmaster General Heath SAID that
there vas not anything 20 &c given Out con-
cerning the Cuban affair, hsyond the Off
cial bulletins.