Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-02
THE CUBAN POSTAL FRAUDS
REASONS FOR WITHHOLDING THE
LAWsHE REPORT.
Senate Not Likely to Take Exceptions
to the Course of the Sec.
ketary of War.

It II not expected the Senate win insist
upon the report OF Deputy Auditor Lawshe,
who was sent to Cuba to investigate the
postal accounts Of the island with special
reference toAhe NSeley case. This report
il only detailed account of the defalca-
lions, giving in detail the financial system
in vogue at the time Of the frauds and the
manner in which Medley and his confed-
crates carried on their populations. In
brief. 1t is summing up Of the entire case.
pointing out the reasons for suspecting the
guilty parties and the grounds upon which
prosecution must necessarily rest. To
give out the report at this time would. 1t
Is argued, be equivalent to putting into
the hands Of Medley and his lawyers the
entire case OF the government, a proceed
ing which would greatly embarrass the
United States.
There are no new developments in the
report, 1t being for the most part confirm
atory OF the report of the postal inspectors.
There seems to be no doubt on the part
Of the authorities of the extradition OF
Medley. Word has been received that the
supreme Court will shortly take the case
up for decision. Upon the extradition OF
Medley. the case against ex-Director Cen
eral of Posts Rathbone will be taken up. 1t
Is said that the latter's case will rest until
Medley is returned to Cuba. Meanwhile
Rathbone is out on bail.
The Senate committee investigating the
Cuban scandals will probably report to the
Senate soon after Congress reassembes the
information with reference to those scan.
dals that has thus far been secured. This
will comprise all the results of the official
inquiries by the Post Office and War De-
partments as to expenditures, allowances
ana disallowances. showing all the expendl-
lures that were made which are regarded
as irregular or dishonest. Before Congress
adjourned for the recess resolution, Of
fered by Mr.. Bacon, was adopted by the
Senate calling on the Secretary of Wal
for the report on the investigation made
by Mr.. Lawshe in Cuba. Secretary Root
objects to sending this report to the Sen
ate, and 1t Is expected that the President
will sustain him in declining to do SO.
Inquiry into the matter discovers a pur-
pose on the part of the War Department to
bring all criminals to justice and to screen
no one, and that the purpose In withholding
certain details of the inquiry Is in the In
terest of justice in the punishment OF guilty
parties 1t Is said that strong influences
have been brought to bear in the interest Of
some of those under charges. and that Mr..
Rathbone has been kept informed from
Washington Of every move in the matter
by the government that could be discovered.
The public has already been informed as
to the extent of the frauds and the respon-
stbiuty for them is generally understood.
and it Is said that the most to be disclosed
now, is how far the government has been
successful in collecting evidence.
Senator Bacon has been active in pressing
for the prosecution Of the guilty parties,
and with proper explanation he Will prob
ably approve of the withholding OF the
LAwshe report.