Evening journal., 1903-12-04
MORE CHARGES
AGAINST WOOD
Alleged That He Changed
Cuban Laws for Postal
Trials
ALSO REMOVED THE JUDGES

Washington, Dec. 4.-when the sen
ate committee on miStary affairs, in
the investigation OF the case OF Major
General Wood, resumed its hearing,
Ray S. BAKER, the magazine writer,
who procured the publication Of the
Runcie article In the North American
Review. was called TO the stand.
Baker denied that portion OF Major
Runcie's testimony which related toI
an alleged dinner in Cuba. at which
Wood, Runcie and Baker we're present,
and at which Runcie stated General
Wood arranged for the preparation of
the article. He said the article had
been given him by Runoie, but that
so far as he knew General Wood had
no knowledge OF Il previous to its pub
lication. He said he had taken dinner
with General Wood and Major Runcie
several times at Santiago. but that the
publication of an article attacking
General Brooke had never been the
subject OF conversation.
MT. Baker was questioned closely
by Senator Scott, Of the committee,
and by Senators Hanna and Teller,
who we're present. They quoted Major
Runcie's letter to Baker. suggesting
that the time was opportune for the
publication Of the Runcie article II
General Woods interest. and asked
hin II the letter did not show that
there had been conferences on the sub
ject and a perfect understanding. Mr.
Baker admitted that appearances
would lead 10 that inference, but in
sisted that there had not been any un-
derstanding.
Mr.. Baker admitted that he. Wood
and Runcle had discussed General
Brooke's administration of Cuban af-
fairs. but said the discussion had been
impersonal. and that Brooke's name
had not been mentioned. He also said
that General Wood had introduced him
to Runcie when he first went to Cuba.
The next witness heard was Dr..
Pablo Desvernenie, who was secretary
of finance under the administration of
General Brooke as Governor General,
and later attorney for Major Rath-
bone. DR.. Desvernenie's testimony re-
lated entirely to the instructions given
to the court by General Wood. He
charged that General Wood had
changed laws of Cuba in order TO ad-
NIT ex-parte evidence in the postal
cases.
According 70 the testimony Of DIT.
Desvernenie, the orders made by Gen
eral Wood were issued to the judge Of
instruction, whom Wood could remove
at pleasure. The witness declared
that the order was in violation OF penal
statutes and the rights of parties inter
ested in the postal cases AS an illus
tration Of the powers OF General Wood
under the military government, tho
witness said that General Wood in one
case removed judge Of first instance
/ in one OF the high courts, and also
three OF the associate judges Of one
section of the court. AS a cause OF
removal it was said the Judges had
not complied with the law as modified
by General Wood
DR.. Desvernenie declared that IN
der the law in force at the time Cen
eral Wood became governor general
ex-parte evidence was not admissible
N trials, but declared that General
God had made the amendments
hich abrogated statutes and enacted
new law, and said this opened the
oor to ex-parte evidence.
Another charge made by Dr. Des-
rernenie was that some Of the judges
no tried the postal cases were not
.amed by General Brooke in the order
reating the courts. but that they
owed their appointments TO General
Wood: that RRthbone's counsel never
understood that eI-porte evidence was
to be admitted In the trials. and that
General Woods construction, even OF
his amended law, was in contravention
of existing statutes. The witness de
clared that General Woods orders 70
the judge of first instance had the e.
feet Of controlling judicial powers and
made General Wood the court OF lasi
appeal unto himself. The witness also
asserted that the bond exacted in the
Rathbone case was excessive and un
warranted by law.
The committee adjourned to meet
/ again Monday.