Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-04-20

Washington, April 16.-The atten-
zion OF an Official OF the department
OF jusuCe was called yesterday to the
published dispatch from san Juan,
Porto Rico. To the effect that the Unit
ed States attorney here had declined
to prosecute criminally a number OF
army AID navy officers for alleged
smuggling. explaining his action BY
the statement that he was acting I'M
der instructions from Washington.
The department made the following
statement:
The facts are that the treasury Je-
partment approved the settlement in
one Of The pending cases, on the basis
OF relief from criminal liability upon
payment OF a fine equal 10 double the
amount OF the duties.
Instruction 20 that effect was given
the United states attorney at san
Juan 10y a solicitor of the treasury, and
upon inquiry by the United States at
t0rugy OF the department of justice for
confirmation of this instruction, the
subject was brought before the cab
met and IL was directed by the presi-
dent that Secretary Moody AMI Post
master General Payne should invesu-
gate the entire subject upon their ar
rival at Porto Rico. and the case
should be dealt with in accordance
with their recommendation. The
recommendation was that all criminal
proceedings should be dismissed and
discontinued upon payment of the
civil obligation. as above indicated. In
accordance with this recommendation,
the attorney general directed the Unit
Ell States attorney for Porto Rico to
dismiss pending cases and present no
more cases to the grand jury until he
was otherwise instructed. The cases
involve certain officers of the army
and navy, and certain civil employees
OF the government of Porto Rico. Post
master General Payne made a state
ment similar 10 the above.
In response to the request OF the
United States attorney at San Juan
Tor further instructions in the snug
Cling cases the department justice
sent the following:
Your duty is TO obey instruc-
tons to the business pending snug
Cling cases ana present no new cases
until otherwise directed. COnsijera-
tiOns OF moment not confined To Porto
Rico which are involved, have moved
the administration, after full investi-
cation and delibeTatiOn, TO the course
directed. which will be adhered to.
But ~ the Judge calls upon you, or the
court requests. you viii perform your
usual function before the grand jury.
The fact that the government may not
or viii not prosecute If indictments
are found, does not prevent cOnsidera-
ton by the grand jury"
Prisoners Petition for Release.
san Juan, Porto Rico. April t.
The grand jury yesterday called many
witnesses in the smuggling cases and
secured from the court commissioner
who presided at the formers hearing
a COPY OF the testimony taken. The
prisoners confined in the penitentiary
for smuggling have presented a petit
ton requesting that they be pardOned
and released unless the others guilty
OF the same Offenses are punished.
Two more officials were arrested at
AIayaguez yesterday in connection
with the municipal frauds there.
The insuIar police force sent April
rs by Governor Hunt to take posses
sion OF Mayaguez and supplant the
municipal police there yesterday for
the greater protection of good govern
ment has not reached Mayaguez, owing
20 bad roads. ami viii be unable TO
take possession OF that city until this
noon. when probably many arrests
viii follow.
District Attorney Speaks.
san Juan, April 16.-District Attor-
uey PettingilI has ISSUED a statement
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