The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-13

IN the matter Of accepting evidence will
assume that because these two remark-
able testimonials OF confidence and
friendship were found among the ex-
convict's papers when he left Wicken-
burg they are actually what they plr-
port to be, genuine letters from WOOD
to BFLLA1Rs. The international swindler
10 whom they arc addressed has SHOWN
himself on various occasions quite capa-
BILE Of forging the document that would
serve his purpose; and nothing could
have been more useful to him in Asia,
with r,imors OF his criminal career re-
lentlessly pursuing him wherever he
went, and likely to catch up with him
at any time. than a certificate from
friend like LEONARD WOOD that such
rumors had been regarded in Havana az
Matchmaking reports, had been duly
weighed and dismissed and had died
natural death and disappeared COM
pletely
II is merely in fairness to Gen. WooD
that we mention the possibility that
these two letters, which have now found
their way to the public through CLAUDE
B. BURsoN and the Republican, are forg-
cries OF BELLAIRs himself. The Repub'i-
can has the documents, and Ia therefore
in better position than we are to judge
OF their authenticity.
For, if the two letters are genuine, IA
the Republican seems to be satisfied they
are, their bearing on the question OF Gen.
WOODS knowledge of his friends real
character is quite different from what
our esteemed contemporary supposes
it to be. The Republican remarks con-
corning their significance:
The queer reports undoubtedly had reference
TO the record which THE SUN has at last exposed
and II Is obvious that Gen. WOOD did not hear OF
them until after BsiIAIRs had departed for China
II Is also obvious that the honest minded WooD
dismissed the rumors as the Inventions OF BEL.
LArRss enemies and gave them no further thought
No candid person can read these frank letters and
retain the slightest suspicion that LEONARD WooD
had knowledge Of BkLLAIRss past"
On the contrary, the letters if genuine,
would greatly strengthen the suppose
ton that Gen. WOOD continued to protect
BELLAIRs after he knew, or had oppor-
tunity to know, the truth about him. and
this for several reasons, of which the fol-
lowing ia sufficient all by itself:
Cen. LEONARD WooD did know OF
the grave reports against BELLAIRs be-
fore the latter left Cuba; and he inter-
fered to protect his friend from the nat
ural consequences of the revelations.
This is proved beyond all question by the
authoritative statement of Mr. MELVILLE
f. STONE. General Manager of the Asso-
ciated Press. Mr.. STONE testifies:
"At,he request OF Gen woop. BELLArRs was trans
ferred from Santiago to Havana. heard rumors
concerning him and proposed 10 dismiss him. but
Gen woop said he was all right. and begged US to
keep him"
The Arizona Republican is therefore
entirely mistaken in its inference from
the alleged Wood Bellars correspond
ence Of November, 1900, and March. 1901,
that it ia obvious that Gen. WOOD did
not hear of them THE rlmors] until after
BELLAIRs had departed for China Mr..
STONES statement distinctly times Gen.
WOODS intercession for BELLAIRs before
the departure OF BELLAIRs from Havana.
We mention this established fact, not
because it is inconsistent with the idea
OF Gen. WOODS persistent conviction
Of his protege's innocence. but because
it is decidedly inconsistent with the
Republicans chronological theory Of
Gen. WOODS knowledge of the "rumors
concerning his friend.