The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-02
Will Send Lawyer to Havana and
Secure Transcript of Testi-
mony at the Trial.
DOES NOT THINK HE is GUILTY
AND PROPOSES TO sIFT EVIDENCE
ON WHICH HE WAS CONVICTED.
Bail Fixed by the Supreme Court OF
Cuba at 100000 Cash-The Par
don of Edward II. Thompson.
clal to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. April 1.-The action OF
Senator Hanna in appealing for Estes G.
Rathbone will have no effect directly on
the status of c. f. w. Neely; in fact, it
will leave him entirely alone to his fate.
Mr. Hanna has no disposition to think
that Nicely is not guilty or is entitled to
any general or special defense. So far
as can be learned there is no movement
here looking to the protection of Neely's 3
interests His old friends accept the YER
dict of the Havana court as final and in
evitable. Senator Hanna said of the Rath-
bone case tonight: THE statements OF
what | proposed to do in the interest of
my old friend are misleading I have no
objection to everyone knowing just how
/ will proceed. There is nothing un-
derground or secret in what will be
attempted / have known Rathbone
for a long time and believe him incapable
of committing a criminal act. 1 will en-
ploy a lawyer who will go to Havana and
secure a transcript of the testimony at
the trial. This will be translated into
English and 1 will go over it with him.
After the evidence has been analysed we
is surprising how little is known here of
the actual testimony upon which he was
convicted or of the process of the Havana
court. l did not ask for a pardon for him,
and had no such intention l have not
given a thought to asking legislation which
would permit "A trial i'm this country. 1
do not know now in what way testimony
Will be submitted TO the President or if
il will be presented at all. | will do every
thing reasonable and possible to help Rath-
bone and will not stop until / am abso-
Iutely convinced that he is not deserving
of all the aid can give. That is the whole
situation"
The dispatch last night stating it was
rumOred that Edgar =. Thompson, for
merIy cashier at the Spanish postoffice, -
had been pardoned, was erroneous as to
name and position. 1t was learned to-day
that the Thompson alluded to in the rumor
was Edward =. Thompson, of Indianapolis,
who was postmaster at Havana. The par
don was first known at the White House
and the War Department through the press
associations. 1t is accepted as a fact that
General Wood was convinced that the In
dianapolis man should have the pardon
one None OF Mr.. Thompson's friends here
knew anything about it, The pardon was
issued March Is. but not made public till
to-day. Ii is signed by III. l.. Scott, adju-
tant general. and is as follows: THE mill
tary Governor of Cuba directs that Mr.
Edward p. Thompson is hereby granted
full pardon and the fine OF 500 assessed
against him is ordered remitted."
The Post tomorrow will quote Senator
Hanna as saying that he has consulted
with his colleagues I'm the Senate about
some legislation by which Major T. g.
Rathbone could be brought back 10 the
United States from Cuba for trial by Amer
lean courts. but that il seemed impossible
for anything 10 be done I'm that way The
senator added: Il have sent to Havana
for the testimony given by Reeves, which
was all that connected Rathbone with "A
conspiracy II will be here i'm a few davs
and / will submit II To competent legal
authority for analysis. When / have re-
ceived the opinion of thai legal authority
I will decide upon what course TO take
But III stick To Rathbone and will do
everything In my power to help him out
OF his trouble. You may be sure OF that
Al the utmost Rathbone was a victim of
the prevailing custom of lavish expendi-
lures among the government officials I'm
Cuba during the reconstruction period fol-
lowing the war" Senator Hanna said
there was not the slightest feeling between