The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-23
He Says His Record as Governor Gen
eral of Cuba Il One ON which He L.
willing to Face an investigation.
EXPLANATION OF A PRESENT
REASONS WHY 1T WAS ADMITTED
FREE OF CUSTOMS DUTY.
His Patronage of the "Jai Altar" Was
I'm Recognition of Spanish National
Game-Statement to Mr.. Root.

WASHINGTON, March 22.-Brig. Gen.
Leonard A. Wood to-day placed in the
hands of the secretary of. war a voluntary
statement regarding the charges filed
against him by Maj. E. ]. Rathbone. ex-
director general Of Cuban posts No official
notice of Major Rathbone's charges has
been taken by the secretary as yet. but
General Wood on reading them asked and
received permission to file at the depart
ment a statement setting forth his
side of the case before his de-
parture for service in the Phil
ippines. General Wood will leave Wash
ington Wednesday afternoon for Boston,
whence he sails on Thursday for Manila.
Pending the action of the secretary on his
statement General Wood refuses to COM
ment on the charges, most of which, he
says have been presented before.
In his statement to the secretary General
Wood denies that he received any but
purely personal gifts while in Cuba. AS
to his attendance on the "Jai Allai." pub
lie institution at Havana, at which the
Spanish national game was played, General
Wood calls attention to the fact that the
bishop of Havana was present at the dedi-
cation of the institution and conducted the
service on that occasion. AS Governor
General of Cuba it was his policy,>he says,
to establish and maintain cordial relations
with the people of the island. including the
Spaniards. who were the influential ele-
ment. He felt, he says, that il was but an
appreciation of Spanish institutions for him
TO recognize and patronize the Spanish ma
tional game, which corresponds closely TO
the American game of racquets and he
made it a point to attend the "Jai Altar
quite often In the evenings, being accom-
panied by several ladies. The latter he
says, received professional instruction in
the game
The institution, General Wood states, had
drinking and betting privilege legally
granted by the authorities and was attend
ed in the evenings by 1000 or 5000 people.
Last May on the Sunday before his de-
parture, General Wood says he was asked
to receive delegation of Spanish mer-
chants who desired to present to him
proved to be a handsome silver service.
Gen. Tasker III. Bliss, then in charge of
the customs service, General Wood says,
admitted the gift free of duty. first, be-
lected on importations for officials and
soldiers of the United States, and, second
ly, because the law provided also for the
free importation of household goods and
personal effects which were not to remain
permanently in the island. AS the customs
house already had been closed. that the
Governor General might make a complete
return of the funds in the treasury at the
hour of the American evacuation, General
Bliss could issue no bond for the admission
Of the gift, but he personally examined 1t
and caused it's free entry.
General Wood said tonight to the Asso-
ciated Press representative that he would
leave with each member of the Senate Gu
ban committee a copy of his statement
to Secretary Root, and that he was ready
at any time to appear before that commit
tee to reply to any charges which might
be brought against him. The Associated
Press is authorized by General Wood to
define his position briefly as follows:
General Wood is at any time ready and
glad to appear before any congressional
committee regarding any charges which
may be brought against his record Gov
ernor General of Cuba. He refuses, how
ever, to indulge in newspaper contro-
versy under any circumstances.