The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-12
SERIOUS CHARGES
PASS UNOBSERVED
Red Cross RemOnstrants
Offer Apologies.
A PARTIAL EXPLANATION
Attorney Says Phillips and Jarvis
Names Were Inserted After
General Approval"

\ most unexpected development OF the
Red Cross controversy growing out of
the retraction Of charges against Waiter
p. Phillips and Samuel VI. Jarvisf of
New York, is the fact, now established
through letters Of apology from those
prominent in pushing the Red Cross in
vestlgation, that these particular
charges We're made apparently without
the knowledge of the majority OF the
remonstrants.
The letters Of retraction to Messrs.
Phillips and Jarvis, which have been
sent by ex-Secretary Hilary Herbert,
Admiral Van Reypen. eX-Secretary Of
State John w Foster. Simon Wolf,
Gen John NJ. Wilson. and B. II. War
ner. have all stated that if charges were
filed against Phillips and Jarvis alleging
misrepresentation of the Galveston flood
sufferers relief fund. it was done with
out their approval. In the case Of b. II.
Warner, he states that while the
twelfth paragraph" of the remon-
STRANGE was printed without authority
from him. that If Mr.. Phillips desires
10 commence a libel suit against me, Of
course cannot help it, although 1 know
of no foundation for any"
Esteem for Phillips.
his personal esteem of Mr.. Phillips, say
ing that he always regarded him a high
toned and honorable gentleman and
never had any reason to change such
opinion" In a letter which Simon Wolf
sent TO Messrs. Jarvis and Phillips, he
states that both he and his wife. Mrs.
Amy L. Wolf, had no knowledge what
ever Of the preparation of any such pa
per making the allegations. and Mr..
Wolf utterly repudiates any and all
afhings alleged against Mr.. Phillips" and
has never authorized anyone to use his
name in connection with the filing of
such a paper.
A statement much similar is that made
by ex-Secretary of State John w. -Fos-
ter. who says that he was equally unad-
vised as 10 the making of these particu-
lar charges in paragraph y, and that
he had authorized no person to make
such a statement in his behalf where
fore he is very willingly made the re-
traction.
A Partial Explanation.
As Offering a partial explanation of
the fact that some Of the remOnstrants
in the Red Cross investigation matter
had no knowledge of these particular
charges, 1t WIS said today by Leigh
Robinson. attorney for the remOn-
strants. that not all Of the members
were consulted when the paper was
prepared, but that the ma jority read the
charges contained therein. and that
since their general approval had been
assured. the brief was allowed 10 90 IN
with paragraph u, naming Aessrs. Phil
lips and Jarvis in connection with the
Galveston flood sufferers committee. the
chairman OF which. W. W. Howard,
was said by the National Red Cross
Society itself 10 have misappropriated
So 900. wnich was raised through con-
tributions IN New York postOfiices.
II IS the general opinion among those
who have been watching the Red Cross
controversy that this particular point
IS regarded as an initial victory for
the Clara Barton forces, though the
remOnstrants themselves do not think
that II has any bearing at all on the
general investigation, as the charge for
transportation of the Howard fund
still remains, IL being limited to the
chairman instead Of the two other mem
bers.
Mr.. Herbert's Letter.
The letter OF retraction written bv ex-
Secretary OF the Navy, Hilary Her
bert. says: Speaking for myself, I have
no reason TO believe. and do not believe
that either Mr.. Phillips nor Mr.. Jarvis
IS morally or legally responsible for
any failure on the part Of another To
turn over money that either Of them
collected. and think these gentlemen
are entitled 10 this statement. Of which
they may make such use as they see
proper"
Gen. John n. Wilson, writing 10 Wal
ter p. Phillips. says: Il have 10 ev-
press my regret that anything should
have appeared in the paragraph ,foine
you a great injustice and so far as
am personally concerned I gladly with
draw and retract everything ia the par
agraph which reflects I'm the slightest
manner upon your honor and integrity"