The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-13
Two Alleged Letters From Gen. Wood
to an International Swindler.

Two Alleged Letters From Gen. Wood
to an International Swindler.
| When the ex-convict CHEIRTToN or
SHERIDAN, alias BELLAIRs, departed sud
denly from Wickenburg, Arz, he de-
4 clared to his acquaintance in that neigh
borhood that he was tho victim OF a
cruel mistake and would lose no time in
establishing his right to the name by
which they had known him. Even that
excellent newspaper the Republican OF
Phoenix was 80 much under the spell OF
BELLAIRs's personal charms and pla,isl-
Bile explanations that it was saying, five
days after We had first published the
mans criminal record:
IL, /. only fair that public judgment be sus
pended until Capt, BxILArRs has an opportunity
! to present his side OF the case. n that
! gentlemen has been wronged by Governor TASr's
powerful friends the public Will soon know II. and
In tina, case nobody will suffer except the authors
of the remarkable charges against him"
Our esteemed contemporary in Phoenix
waited faithfully and patiently from
April ! to April 20 for that gentleman
to demonstrate his relationship with Sir
WILLIAM BELLAIRs and establish his
title to be considered no swindler and
convict, but an honorable ex-of1icer OF
the British service. At the end OF the
twenty-five days OF suspense Of judgment
the Republican closed the case, thus:
The fact that BELIArRs's book attacked Gov
| ernor TApr's administration Of anars In the Philip
| pines has moved THE Sun to make a careful ex-
| animation OF the authors record. and that news
per has established very conclusively, We think
| that BELLAIRs is an ex convict and has an inter
| national record as swindler, We take
| pleasure In Informing THE Sun that upon publlca
ton Of Its nrst editorial exposing BELlAIRs all Of
the citizens OF this Territory who had promised TO
| collaborate In writing the book which BKiIArhs
proposed to bring out promptly withdrew from
| the arrangement. On their behalf We
feel 1t our duty to thank THE SrS for saving them
| from emba rrassment hereafter"
The interest of the Arizona Republican
in BELLAIRs and his relations with Gen.
LEONARD WOOD did not stop there. A
few days later, on May 4, our Phoenix
contemporary Unexpectedly published
what may be very important evidence
bearing on the question Of the personal
intimacy of the Military Governor Of Cuba
with the international swindler, and like
wise on the question Of the date up to
which the international swindler con-
tinued to enjoy the Military Governors
confidence and esteem. The Republican
explains as follows its possession OF the
documents which We reproduce further
along:
when BKlIAIRs hurredly left Arizona . few
weeks ago. ostensibiy for New York. for the pur-
pose Of bringing suit against TEE Sun for libel, he
failed to take all his private papen With him-or
at leas, failed TO take these TWO letters. which
found next day by Mr. CLAUDE BuRsoE. who for
while was associated with BEII.AIRs in business.
Mr. BunsoS forwarded them 70 us, and in view OF
all the circumstances II seems advisable TO dlsre-
gard the ethics which ordinarily forbid the pub.
LEGATION OF private correspondence"
The earlier OF the two letters purporting
to be from WooD to BELIAIRs is this:
HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF CuBA.
HAVANA, Nov. ;, 1900.
capt. f. G. BELLAIRs. Rrpr'ssntnnre Associated
Press. Manila. Philippine Islands:
MY DEAN BELLAIRs: Your kind letter Of Sept.
% JUS, received. Sorry to hear that you got IN
too late to see what going on. Miss CoSDTr.
SMITH is now on her way home and We expect she
will arrive in New York In December. am glad
that everything is going on so well with you.
You will probably hear details OF some queer
reports which all your friends consider as attempts
at blackmai. which were circulated after your de
parture from Havana. They died a natural death
and need give you no concern.
| We are now the eve OF the Constitutional
Convention whrh bids fair to pass OF as quietly as
tho elections during the last few months.
Il trust that you will meet with every success In
your work.
81 returned yesterday from the States. and am
rushed with good deal OF work.
With kind regards. and trusting 10 hear from
you, yours very sincerely.
LEONARD WOOD"
The second letter is dated more than
four months later but the friendliness Of
tone is undiminished:
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY GOVERNOR.
HAVANA. March 0. 1901.
Mt DEAR BEIIAiRs: Your letter OF Jan. "a
Just received. do not think there Ia anything In
tho rumors YOU speak OF tina, is worth discussing.
They had short life here. and died gu, completely.
We ar. now having prettcy fstcl warm time
In Cuba In political way. the United States having
definitely announced Its policy The radical MON =
ben OF the Convention arc. Of course, attempting
TO create excitement, but there 10 no talk OF any
thing In the way Of disturbances.
Mrs woop and children are here and viii re
main until some time next summer unless sanitary
conditions here should he had. The death rate
In Havana for the past few months has heen the
lowest ever known February was IA and frac-
ton per thousand. which pms Il lower than most
cities In the United States.
w. were oil mueA distressed over the death Of
poor PAoy. cAhrwRresr and PETERSON.
The outlook for the coming summer IL e1ce client
50 far as sanitary matters 90. although OF course
no one can tell. With kindest regards. sincerely
yours.
LloNARp WOOD"
capt. z. G. B.LLAIRs, Associated Press. United
| States Legation. Pekln, China"
or course, no person properly cautious