Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 May 1900 — POSTALFBAUDSGROW [ARTICLE]

POSTALFBAUDSGROW

ARE SAID TO EXTEND THROUGHOUT ALL CUBA. American Officer* Amazed at the Ramifications of the Alleged Robbery—The Havana Postmaster and Several Subordinates Flaged Under Arrest Further investigation into Ijxe defalcation in the department of posts in Cuba haa brought to light a shortage in the Havana postoffiee, and Postmaster Thompson has been placed under arrest. Deputy Auditor of the Island W. H. Reeves aud two of the Cuban stamp clerks have also been arrested, and more arrests are likely to follow. The frauds are more extensive than was at first supposed. It is stated that there is a shortage of SB,OOO in the Havana office. Some of the men are believed- to have been implicated with the ring in handling the stolen stamps. ——---r— — The ring supposed to have been headed by Neely probably made its thefts through the stamp channel. They represented stamps destroyed at SIOO,OOO more than actual value, and then secreted that amount in new stamps, which were deposited in the place of money every month when the returns came from the island. Balances were thus kept correct, stamps taking the place of money in the vaults. When the auditors examined the sales of stamps from Matanzas and other stations the amount was found much larger than that credited of cash or stamps on hand. The military authorities are now getting returns from all stations of stamps sold to compare with Neely’s books. In this way the approximate amount of the alleged defalcation will be found. Neely could have put up a strong defense that his balances are right and that it was simply a mistake in crediting sales if hia confederates had not confessed and turned over $5,000 in stamps. It appears that the frauds ramified in almost every possible direction. Evtn the rented boxes have been made a source of illegitimate gain. Every additional revelation increases the amazement ot the Americans ' in Havana. Mr. Thompson, in telling of his offense, signed a sworn statement in which he says that Sept. 16 last, being in need of money, he took from the money order funds $435, giving his memorandum as a receipt for the same. When the inspections were held Mr. Thompson ordered a clerk in charge of the money order department to place remittances received that day, which would not have to be accounted for until the following day, sufficient to cover thj amount of his receipt, Which was therewith withdrawn until after the inspection. This was kept up until April 7, when the special agents unexpectedly discovered the receipt, which Mr. Thompson then paid. It is asserted by lawyers that on Mr. Thompson’s own statement he is liable to conviction for embezzlement, according to the provisions of the postal law, which are very explicit. JPostmaster General Smith to a Washington correspondent said that the dispatches from Havana aud other publications concerning the defalcations in the postal service there are very much exaggerated. That a considerable amount of money has been stolen is, he says, unfortunately true and a thorough investigation is in progress, but the disclosures up to date do not justify the sensational reports that are in circulation. It is asserted tha> the prosecution of the offenders will be carried on with all possible energy.