The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-04
Former Secretary of Finance
Saws Colonial Laws Abolished
30 Years Ago Were Enforced.
Ex-PARTE EVIDENCE USED.
Ray Stannard Baker Denies Ever
Talking With Governor About
Article Criticising Gen
eral Brooke.

Washington. Dec 3.-The Senate Com
mittee on Military Affairs, hearing evil
denee in connection with charges filed
against General Leonard Wood. took up
the entire afternoon with the examination
of Doctor Pablo Desvernenie, Secretary of
Finance under the administration of Gem
eral Brooke. and later attorney for Major
Rathbone. He charged that General Wood
had changed laws of Cuba in order to adj
NIT ex parte evidence in the postal cases,
modification of the principles Of Cuban
criminal proceedings particularly detri-
mental to the interests of Major Rathi
bone, and reverting to laws in force I'M
der the regime of Colonial Spain thirty
years ago.
Doctor 'Desvernenie said the orders made
by General Wood were issued to the
Judge of Instructions. whom Wood could
remove at pleasure. in violation Of penal
statues. The witness said that General
Wood in one case removed a Justice in
one Of the high courts and also three
Associate Judges of one section. Of the
court for not complying with the law as
modified by General Wood. The Cuban
Bar Association declared the removals I'M
warranted. and to appease its anger Cen
eral Wood appointed the deposed Judges
trustees of the Bar Association.
JUDGES CREATURES OF WOOD.
Another charge made by Doctor Desver-
nenie was that some of the Judges who
tried the postal cases were not named by
General Brooke in the order creating the
courts, but that they owed their appoint
ments to General Wood, and that General
Woods construction. even of his amended
iaw was in contravention of existing
statutes The witness declared that Cen
erai Woodss orders to the Judges had the
effect Of controlling judicial powers. and
made General Wood the court of last ap-
peal unto himself.
At the morning session of the commit
Stone. general manager of the Associated
Press. who submitted letter written by
Major Runcie, which requested In behalf
or General Wood the retention of l.. G..
Bellairs to represent the Associated Press
ut Havana.
Bellairs was retained. but when his
previous record became known he was dis
charged.
RAY STANARD BAKER CALLED.
Ray Stanard Baker. the next witness
confirmed some parts of the testimony of
Major Runcie, and denied that there had
been any consultation between himself
and General Wood relative to the publ
cation of Major Runcie's article reflect
Brooke
He denied tina: he had conversed with
the President, relative to the Wood case,
or that he bad conferred with War De-
partment officials concerning the article
which was published over the signature
OF Major Runcie. and SO far as he knew
he said General Wood had no knowledge
Of this article previous to it's publication
Mr.. Baker was questioned closely by
Senator Scott Of the committee. and by
Senators Hanna and Teller, who were
present. They quoted Major Runcie's let
ter to Baker suggesting that the time
was opportune for the publication of the
Runcie article in General Woods interest
and asked him If the letter did not show
that there had been conferences on the
subject. Mr.. Baker admitted that ap-
pearances would lead to that inference,
but insisted there had not been any un-
Outstanding.