The Washington herald., 1915-02-09
DOMINGO TRIALS
| TOLD BY WITNESS
People Promised Protection
by Sullivan Shot in Streets,
Says Wick.
DRUNK CHARGESB BANDED
Served Him Several Highballs My
sell" Says Former Customs or
fetal of Bryan's Friend.

/ Walker W. Wick, former receiver gen.
eral of customs for Santo Domingo, was
the central figure at yesterdays session
OF the Sullivan inquiry. In response to
questions by Counsel Strong, he made
vigorous statements cOntroverting the re-
port of Minister Sullivan that he had
been able to put an end to political per-
secutions and the execution OF political
prisoners in Santo Domingo.
Il know OF two or three cases." he
said. where men were pursued into their
| homes by the rurales and shot down.
On June II or l2 l heard shots in the
fort, and was told that three men had
been executed. The fort was filled with
| political prisoners at that time. and l
heard OF instances where citizens, at
| tempting to hold meetings under the as
surance by Minister Sullivan that they
would be protected in the right of free
speech, were shot in the Streets
| Mr.. Wick also told of the murder of
Arturo Frietes Roques. a newspaper man.
who was hostile to the Bordas govern
ment. Roques, he said. was shot down
opposite the American consulate and the
murderer was given money and sent on
a mission to Venezuela.
Loan Never Negotiated.
Questioned as to a loan of $4,000
which Minister Sullivan sought to nego-
| AlaNC III 4hdiIilS lJ4fs ' IGN SAlu lie MIG"
proposals were made to the banks, and
he had heard that Sullivan had declared
| the loan would be made whether the
Dominican Congress approved il or not
| The loan was not negotiated, however
Wick admitted that he did not know
whether Sullivan had authority from
| Washington to proceed in the matter.
| Wick was asked to answer the testi-
mon OF Harry S. Dickey, of South
| Rand Ind a DnIitipal nf SEQ
retary of State Bryan. who was sent
to the island as an expert to investi-
gate the record OF the director general
of public works. Dickey testified on
Saturday that he saw Wick outrage
ously drunk" on two occasions. Wick
denied this emphaticaIly. and declared
that on one occasion described by
Dickey the latter was the only one
drunk, If any one was in that condi-
tion. Il served him several Scotch
highballs myself" said Wick. AS to
the incident described by Dickey in
which he said Wick poured bottle of
beer over the head and down the back
of the captain of the steamer President,
Wick declared there was absolutely no
| truth in the allegation.
! Wick also repeated his denial OF the
| charge made by affidavit that he partici-
pated in a drunken orgy at the Shanghai
! Hotel. and produced letters supporting
| his denial from a number of men present
| on the night in question. Another affi-
| davit reflected on Wick for his alleged
! connection with a mining company affair
| which resulted disastrously for investors.
! Wick explained that his connection with
| the company was solely as an account
! ant.
Tells of Appointments.
! Wick told of the appointments he had
made in the customs service and named
two men who were sent to him from
| Washington. one recommended by Sena-
/ tor Hughes. of New Jersey. and the
| other by Secretary of the Navy Daniels.
Wick said the first man was all right, but
he had nothing to say about the man
| recommended by Secretary Daniels.
| Maj. I. L. Hunt of the Bureau Of In
| sular Affairs. who made the annual in
| spectiOn of the receivership last July.
] told the commission that while he was
| in SantO Domingo he endeavored to keep
! his ears shut to all matters that did not
| directly concern his business. He said
| he heard some comments unfavorable to
| Minister Sullivan, but at the same time
! one or two persons had spoken of the
! Minister in a cOmmendatOry way.
Gen. Frank Mcintyre. of the Bureau
| of Insular Affairs. testified that there is
| no specific regulation as to who shall
| exercise the authority to designate the
| depositary OF the receivership funds IN
| Santa Domingo City, but that the Gus
! tom had been for the receiver general
/ to make the designation.
On Wednesday it is expected that Sec
retary to the President Tumuty will be
| on the stand.