The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-11-26
MAI. RATHBONE ACCUSES WOOD
Files Written Charges With Investigating
Committee.


Committee.
Washington, Nov. 21-Major Estes
G. Rathbone, formerly director of
posts in Cuba yesterday filed written
charges with the Senate Committee
on Military Affairs. which is investi
eating the charges against General
Leonard Wood in opposition to his
confirmation as major general. The
committee convened at II O'Clock and
was in session until noon. Nearly
the entire time was given to Major
Rathbone
He alleged that General Wood.
while military governor of Cuba, had
accepted money from the Jai Alai.
which was, he said, a gambling CON
cern, and asserted that he had made
a personal friend and boon compan
ion of an eX-cOnvict. He also charg
ed him with giving Instructions of an
entirely unconstitutional and un-
American character to the courts.
With reference to the charge that
Governor General Wood has exceeded
his authority in giving instructions
to the courts, Major Rathbone said
that the General had pursued this
course in the Cuban postal cases when
he (RathbOne) was under prosecution.
This, he said, in violation of Article
3S7 of the Penal Code of Cuba, and in
a manner prejudicial to the rights
and interests of those under trial.
He also charged General Wood with
authorizing the use of e1-parte depo-
sitions in the postal cases, a proceed
ing which he asserted is contrary to
law and the principles of law, and in
this case contrary to instructions
given by the Secretary of War.
Major Rathbone charged that in
accepting gifts from the organization
known as Jai Alai, to which Major
Rathbone said General Wood had
granted 10 year exclusive conces-
sion, General Wood violated the For
aker law, which prohibited the grant
ing of franchises or concessions dur
ing the occupation of the island by
American authorities. He also charg-
ed that the acceptance of these gifts
gifts constitutes a violation of Article
397 of the Penal Code of Cuba.
Other charges were made aga inst
General Wood as follows:
With completely with another army
officer in the preparation and publ
cation of an article rejecting dis
creditably upon an officer who rank
ed both of them, in violation of an
accepted canon of military service,
and constituting an offense common
ly known as conduct unbecoming
an officer and a gentleman"
With directing and causing the Au-
ditor of Cuba, by military order, to
violate the law in the treatment of
account.
With utilizing the services an ex-
convict, with whom he was in init
mate personal association, in an effort
to displace his superior officer, and,
by such means to secure to himself
the vacancy thus created.
Senator Hanna made a statement
dealing especially with his active in
terest in behalf of Mr.. Rathbone when
he was under prosecution for alleged
malfeasance i'll office as Director of
Posts for Cuba in 1900 and in suisse
quent years. He said General Woods
requirement that Rathbone should
give cash bond of S25, 600 in Ameri-
can gold when he was first arrested
was beyond all reason, ia view of the
fact that the amount he was charged
with misappropriating was only
about $4,000, and he contended that a
man who would be so unjhst and so
unfair under the circumstances
should not be intrusted with high
command He also spoke of his long
acquaintance with Major Rathbone
and reiterated his confidence in his
integrity.