New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-02
HANNA STICKS TO RAJHBONE.
RELIEVES HIM INNOCENT. But WILL
NOT ASK FOR SPECIAL LEG
ISLATION.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

Washington April 1.-Senator Hanna said to-
day that the reports scattered broadcast over
the country to the effect that he was preparing
TO propose special legislation In Congress Tor the
relief of f. 6. Rathbone. convicted by court at
Havana Of embezZling Cuban postal funds ana
sentenced to serve a term Of ten years in prison
In that country, were absolutely false. AS 10
his attitude toward Nicely and Reeves the other
two American postal officials convicted with
Rathbone OF the same offence, Senator Hanna
refused to say anything Mr. Hanna wants 1t
known however that he is firmly convinced or
Rafhbones innocence, and that he intends to
leave nothing undone TO prove that Rathbone
has been unjustly convicted by the Cuban court
The attorney have employed to look after
Rathbone's case" said Mr. Hanna 70 tribune
correspondent has sent to Havana for a COM
r1ete abstract of the testimony given in the trla
of Rathbone Nicely and Reeves, and not until
that testimony has been carefully examined hy
him will be able TO state what action intend
10 take TO establish Rathbone's innocence.
further than to say that 1 have never thought
OF asking Congress TO pass a special law for his
relief In the first place. I don't believe Con-
eress has any power In the case. and. IN the
second place. L wouldn't ask Congress 10 ACT
even If it had any power. l am informed ulat
there is a Supreme Court in Cuba TO which
Rathbone's case can be appealed. and propose
TO resort 10 this means to establish his lnno-
cence of intentional wrongdoing. 1 have known
Rathbone too long and intimately to believe him
capable Of committing the crimes laid at his
door II ia possible Of course. that he used
more of the funds belonging to the Cuban postal
revenues that would have been allowed him
under the postal regulations of this country had
he been in a similar position here, but am
satisfied that examination Of the records VIII
chow that the excess of funds he thus employed
was audited in the regular way by the Postofhce
Dapartrnenet here. and that, therefore, ne fell
that he was committing crime. am IN
formed that the Postoffice Department allowed
all of these overcharges, and this acquits Rath-
bone Of the offence for which he was tried ana
convicted by the Spanish court at havana
However / expect know all about the case
as soon as the testimony elected at the trlal i
sent here from Havana and is examined by the
attorney ! have employed to defend Rathbone.
and when 1 am more fully Informed shall know
what TO do to establish the innocence Of kath-
bone
visit 10 Havana is in any way connected with
The Rathhone case is utterly diScreGited here. II
is known that the sole object of Mr.. Roots trip
10 Havana is TO assist Governor General Wood
in the important work OF turning the govern
r,enf of the island to the Cubans- This
task is a delicate one, and 1t Is considered wise,
if not necessary for a lawyer of Mr.. Roots abll-
fly assist in its execution. BESIDES the sec,
retary is better posted even than General Wood
in the broad principles governing the relations
between the two countries, ana IN spite OF the
confidence reposed in General Wood the PreSl-
sent will feel better satisfied with the transfer
when rhe Secretary of War arranges in detail
its prelirninaries than he would II that work
were wholly performed by the military au-
thorities in the island. Mr. ROOT. acconpanled
~, h,s Family will start about April II for Ha
vana and expects TO remain there not longer
than week