New-York tribune., 1900-05-19
THE CUBAN FRAUDS.
ANOTHER CONFESSION MAKES THE
CHAIN AGAINST NEELY COMPLETE.

CHAIN AGAINST NEELY COMPLETE.
Havana. May 1S-W. H. Reeves, Deputy
Auditor of the island, made a confession at mid
night and gave up $4,50O given to him by
c. f. w. Neely. the arrested Financial Agent
of Posts at Havana, to perform certain services.
General Wood and the postal inspectors refuse
TO disclose the nature of the confession. barely
admitting that the confession has been made.
But the fact that it made is certain, ana II
is also certain that a disclosure was made that,
If verified, will make the frauds assume shape
that will prove astounding, though the amount
Of money at stake will probably be still the
same 1t is said that 81. 400 more will be re-
covered soon.
General Wood says that the report from
Muncie Ind that nearly $2.OOO.OOO worth or
stamps have been printed there and sent FOR
distribution to Cuban postoffices, can be re
garded as canard. There is nothing mere 10
show that any such counterfeit stamps nave
been sent. 1t Is believed now that the Whoie
story is known and that the amount of the
$125 900
the confession Of Reeves was the only INK re-
quired in the chain of evidence. although the
principal statements he has made Will require
investigation before they can be acted upon as
it is generally believed that his accusation Is
of such a startling character as to render II
unwse to proceed before being absolutely sure
of other evidence to corroborate IT.
Another charge against Nicely is tina. he has
defrauded the customs out of several thousand
dollars worth of duties by importing. nominally
for postal use, large quantities OF paper "hlch
afterward sold to printing house IN
Havana.
The Cubans are now beginning to talk good
deal regarding postal matters, the main ldea
apparently being that the Americans. haVlns
found so many of their countrymen !mplcateu'
will not proceed to extremities. The Cubans do
not believe that Nicely will be extradited.
With the confessions Of Reeves and Rlch, sup
piemeuted those
the statements of the Baracoa postmaster, 1t Is
considered that the evidence against Neely Is
complete especially in view of the assertion OF
Reeves that the stamps were not destroyed
when they were supposed to be- Packages
which were apparently stamps were destroyed.
but it is said that these were so many
bundles of paper bits.
The newspapers now begin to ask for an IN
vestigation of the Engineering Department.
They say that this department has been even
more extravagantly conducted than the Postal
Department.
PLANS FOR EXTRADITING NEELY.
NEW LEGISLATION TO COVER THE CASE
DRAFTED
Washington, May IS (SpeciaD.-In aspect
another the Cuban postal frauds again occupied
to-day a considerable share of the attention of
the President and members of the Cabinet and
also of committees and members of Congress. The
Judiciary Committee of the House spent some
time in discussing proposed legislation providing
for the return or fugltiVeS from justice VINO,
ing committed offences against the military
thority In territory which the United States
exercises jurisdiction and control, flee to the United
States and there apprehended to the places
where the offences were committed. The commit
had basis of the discussion letter from
the Attorney-Genera transmitting a draft of
bill designed to cover such cases as Neely's. In
his letter the Attorney General said
Recent offences, of criminal nature committed
by employe of the postal service In Cuba, who
the United States make it my duty to call your at
present extradtion laws of the United States to
such S Is IN OF d9n6t al ana b %
partment of Justice the prompt return
crime is committed and in which they should be
tried. It's obvious that the laws of the United
of fugitlves from justice who flee from Cuba and
seek refuge in the United States. have drafted
act which will make the course of procedure in
such matters and certain ard I respectfully
if found expedient that it introduced passed
as speedily as possible.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL' BILL.
The acknowledgements bill is entitled IAN Act
for Extradtion and Rendition in Certain Cases."
and provides follows:
Section / That Sections $40, 52z, 5272, 5273 and
2 of the Revised Statutes and all other statutes
sn the United States GonGernns g exradon to for
ply to and govern extradition to the island of Cuba
continuance of the government established and
maintained in said island in the same manner and
with which a treaty existed stipulating and pro
viding for extradition in the case of all feonies
Penal Code the laws in force on the island 'os of
er fhe Of csa If the the or
an Independent government thereof.
wGy Tesss or and
person or officer who has prisoner in CUSTODY
execution N of his u duties or who
aforesaid shall be punished by fine of not more re
than $1,000 and by Imprisonment for not more than
one year.
third section applies Sections 527S and 5 27e q,
the Revised Statutes to the rendition of fgitives
between the States and Territories and the ;s,
ands in the possession of the United States under
the Treaty of Paris.
status of United States officials who are perform me
Ing civil functions under the military government
possessed such absolute authority that ofTenders
United States sent back to cuba for trial IN The rhe
view was general that the situation in Cuba was
nquished sovereignty. the United States had not
assumed sovereignty, and Cuba had not oreanized
that the questions involved were Of such far reanh
Ing character that it would be desirable to secure
branch Of the Government. and a sub-committee
was appointed. consisting of Representative Raw
confer with the other branches and d to
whole subject next Tuesday
CHAIRMAN RAYS MEASURE.
Chairman Ray afterward offered In the House
bill which will be the basis of future cons,dera-
ton. Section $40 of the Revised Statutes
the following:
Provided, That whenever any foreign country or
temporary government of the United States and
the United States. by act of Congress through
it's military power or otherwise, has established
or authorized governmental control over the same
in whole S or es In part ar ;b any PersoR who commits
rendered to the authorities of the United States