The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-04-21

San Juan, +. l., ApTll 1O-LAS d III
OF the action of the grand jury yester-
day in finding eight Indictments, fol-
lowing the investigation of the SNUG
Cling charges, it is unofficially report
ed that warrants have been issued for
the arrest of Captain (Surgeon)
Lowndes, U. S. N; Captain Crabbs, U.
S. A; Robert a. Giles, an engineer,
BENJAMIN Butler, the former supervis-
or of elections, and Paymaster Mer-
rift.
Mr.. Butler demanded in court to
know whether he was indicted and the
judge replied in the affirmative. He
furnished bail in $1,000.
Captain Lowndes and Paymaster
Merritt, r. D., are in the United States
and in the Philippines respectively.
They will be summoned by the navy
department.
Officers are at present searching for
Captain CraBbs, who is connected with
the Quartermaster's department in San
Juan, and Robert Giles. These men
will be arraigned and be bound over.
No bill was found against Lieutenant
commander Mentz, as he had effected
a settlement with the United States
treasury. 1t is reported that others
suspected of completely in the snug
Cling escaped indictments on the same
ground.
It is said that if District Attorney
Pettingill refuses to prosecute those
against whom indictments have been
found that the judge will appoint a
substitute for Mr.. Pettingill.
The grand jury failed to find bills
against Rear Admiral Stirling who held
the rank of captain and was command
ant of the naval station in San Juan
last year, and G: B. Howard.
The Indictment against Paymaster
Merritt charges him with violating of
the law in bringing into Porto Rico
eight cases of liquor from st. Thomas
on board the navy tug UncaS; that
against Giles charges him with viola
tion of the same law in bringing in ten
cases of liquor.
AFRAID. FAJARDO WILL ESCAPE.
Mayaguez, P. R., April 1S.-MateO
Fajardo, the mayor Of Mayaguez, who
was arrested yesterday, charged with
municipal frauds, was released this
morning on bail. He started imme-
diately for San Juan treveling by car
riage over that part of the route where
there is no railroad. He should reach
San Juan tomorrow morning. The po-
lice telegraphed to all seacoast towns
through which Faiardo will pass that
means be taken to prevent his escape
by water.
Other arrests are expected. Rumors
that the prisoners would attempt to
break Jail last night, caused Governor
Hunt to give orders to double the Jail
guard.
SMUGGLING IN THE PHILIPPINES
Washington. April 1S.-Captain Harry
B. Chamberlain. of the quartermaster's S
department, is on trial in Manila on a
charge of smuggling silks and curios
into Manila. When the army transport
Seward returned to Manila from Hong
Kong March 10th, Collector of Customs
Shuster having been Informed by a
seaman that there would be quantity
of goods on board the transport not de-
clared, made an investigation and 1t
IS alleged that he found some articles
in what appeared to be a false locker
about the smOkeStack and in the
pantry. Some of the boxes. it is said
were addressed to Captain Chamberlain
the Uuartermaster of the vessel and
others to other officers. the remainder
being addressed to the wife OF an army
officer on duty in Manila. Collector
Shuster had Captain Chamberlain
taken before the court of customs ap-
peal. trial being set for March 18th.
the result of which has not been learn
ed here. Captain Chamberlain was re-
lieved from duty
1t is stated that the goods alleged to
have been brought in on the Seward
which were discovered by the customs
officials. were intended for the private
use of the army officers and not for
the purpose of sale