The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-05-30 00:00:00

THE OUTRAGE AT SAN JOSE.

The Cunard steamer Cuba, front New York, brough
American dates to the 11th of May, with the details of
the brutal outrage on the British Vice-Consul at
Guatemala and of the amnia ,ry punishment of his
persecutor. The World of the 13th inst., in a special
despatch dated the llnd of May says :

_
" Intense excitement has followed the arrival of the Pacific
Mail steamship Arizona at this port, with news that Mr.
John Magee, British Vire-umlaut at San Jose de Guatemala,
had received 200 lashes, allid that his bridal treatment had
been avenged by the assassination ul his penecntor. General
Band., President of Guatemala. nes promptly disavowed
the outrage, and no doubt will meekly pay such indemnity
as Great Britain shall determine.

"The circumstances of this outrage are as follows : -
"Mr. John Magee, British Viee-Consul of San Jose' de
Guatemala, who is personally one of the most popular
officials on the coast, had mended the enmity of Colonel
Gonzales, the Commandant at that port. Mr. Magee
held a semi-official Government position, which placed
him out of the Commandant's jurisdiction, and this
increased the dislike of the latter. On the 24th of April
the steamship AriZr .6 arrived at San Jose, am' provi-
dentially, this was the day that Gonzales tied fixed
upon for venting his wrath on Mr Slagee. Early an the morn-
ing he summoned the \ lee-Consul before hint, and when
the latter excused himself on the grunt of lameness sent a
file of soldiers with orders to br'ng Mr. Magee 'dead or
alive.' Accordingly the sufferer vs't s brought in on a cart,
Insulted, struck in the face mutt the butt of a pistol, im-
prisoned, and ordered to receive 400 lashes. A four p.m.
the surgeon of the port protested 1 hat it would end in the
victim's death. The Consular A cot of the United States,
Mr. James, presented a written protest, under his official
seal. Gonzales brutally replied that he would not only
administer the punishment, but would shoot him at four
o'clock the next morning, and afterwards put to death
every foreigner in San Jose. Mr. Magee was brought out
front Ids dungeon, thrown upon the ground, and a soldier sat
upon his head, while four oth .rs sat upon his hands and
feet. After his coat and vest hod been stripped off, 200
lashes were administered by four soldiers, the Commandant
sitting by and keeping tally. At this p 'hit Mr. lieges became
insensible, and the rest of the flogging was put off until the
following day. Then the Commandant drank whiskey,
plundered the British Consul's office and the houses of other
foreigners, and all night long kept a drunken orgie with his
soldiers. Occasionally he went to where Mr Magee was
confined, anti putting a pistol to his I,ead, asked his victim
how be would like to die, and if it were not best to put him
out of his misery.

"Colonel Gonzales had seised the telegraph, but during the
excitement Mr. Moncrieffe, the Agent of the Pacific Mall
Steamship Company, managed t make his escape, and tele-
graphed to the capital for aid and protection. General
Solano was I legpatuhed at once cilh 100 soldiers, and at
eight a.m. was near San Josa. Mr, Magee in the mean-
time was made ready for punishment, but hearing that
aid wan near, suggested to the Commandant to make
his escape to the Arizona, promising him a letter
to insure his protection. The Consular Agent also pro-
mised to go with him. Gonrales eagerly accepted this
offer, hut as sdin as the lett, was written tried to

. .
penned, his men to shoot Mr. Mite. They refused, and he
made his escape in a small boat with three men and accom-
panied by Mr. Jame. In the meantime all hail been ex-
citement on board the A rizona Fe passengers wanted to
go on shore and protect Mr Magee with such arms as they
had They would have gone to Mr ir death if they had ven-
tured. There were ten field-pieces on the wharf also that
covered the A rirano as she lay at anchor. Fortunately, Cap-
tain 11. I:. Morse who was in command, was able to restrain
the excitement in a measure, and would allow no one to go on
shore. When news came that the Commandant was about to
seek refuge in the Arizona, everybaty's feelings were wrought

Lip to the highest point of tension. Captain Morsel:Ml his plans
admirably ills officers and men were armed and sur-
rounded the gangway It was the intention to seize
4.
thin.lea, tell hint that the slot ' authoritle. could not be
auswerabin for Ilia lifc wile.' reicaaatidr Ilagee, and
then to send on sh for t entleine. Tic, protec-
tion would have t afforde II parties- Fab' °Wail"
otherwise ' The a that Ii mizales ared tiptip's
side. The new ere c I wit asenge any
of whom w ela . Jai teppe deck, Com-
11010datit I owe& I and •, and et halfjOY ttli
the plank, when it' ot was fl ran th ants, witafialing
him. Ile stepped back into the boat and selZed no
oar, two other shots jollowed, abd one was returned from
the boat. Then the boat pushed' vff to shore, and 'Own it
touched, the wounded man rose and walliet into tW 'town,
where he was made prisoner by General Solana. The latter
sent word that Jaejssould uotist his prlsqner ditr-of his
wounds, but would cure him out shoot him by and by.
Gonzales, who rose from the ranks. is an exceeding* brutal
man, and the Government of Guatemala say that they would
be glad to be rid of him.
"It is scarcely to be wondered at that Gonzales was shot
by the excited paasifingers of the Ai oz •na, but it was deeply
regretted as soon no it was done. 'the excitement WAS in-
tense and ought to be felt to be app. eciated. Mr. Magee
was considerably bruised, but not ser,oualy IRO. Fortu-
nately for him, the soldiers ditt net snake their blows as
heavy as the Commandant desired, fie was able to be on
board the Arizona before she stinted, and W:l6 cheerful,
though suffering at:cutely."

.•
The following memoranda are from the kg-book of
Captain H. G.llorse, who commanded the Arizona
and takes the Acapulco to New York :
" April 24 —By request of the Culled States Consular
Agent at San Josa de Guatemala (Mr. James), ship remained
overnight in order to endeavour to save the life of the British
whose life was in imminent peril
. . _ .

also to afford au asyliiin to foreign residents if compelled to
leave.

" April 25.—Completed discharting cargo at 7am At
S am. I received the following from the United Autos'
Consular agent :
_

Please delay the steamer a little till I can get on board.
'Tis a matter of life and death. I shall nut be ten minutes.
The Commandant accompanies -0 a,l goes to Acapulco with
you.
"About half an hour later the Vitit ed States Consular Agent
and the Commandant, accompanied 13 three men came along-
side. I went to the gangway to receive them, that
ordering officers to arm themselves and placing armed
guard in main gsngway to prevent any distmbauce and pre-
serve order. The United States' Consular Agent was first
on board. When he reached the deck the Commandant,
Colonel Gonzales, ascended the ladder, and when about
halfway up some unseen ham' among the passengers dis-
charged a pistol at him, the ball taking effect in the abdo-
men. I made every effort to get him on board, but he refused
to come anal returned to Ids boat arid proceeded towards the
shore. At the imam:tit two other shots were discharged at
him by persons also unknown. Those in the boat returned
one shot, but, fortunately, without effect. The whole affair
occurred in a moment, and was entirely unanticipated. The
passengers on the gangway were mostly ladies. One shot was
fired from the hurricane deck almost immediately over where
I stood, but by whom I our unable to ascertain Aloud ten
minutes after the almve occurrence I received the following
from General &Mimi :-

I have just arrived here from Guatemala by order of
the President to put a stop to the barbarities committed
Illegally here. 1 have instructions to make a prisoner of
Colonel Gonzales, who has just gone on board your ship, and
have to request you will secure him and send him on shore
or await my orders.
(signed) " GREGO SOW°, General of Division.'

"To this I replied, expressing regret at the rash act and
disclahning any connection with the affair, or responsii.ility,
having taken every precaution to prevent disorder of any
knnt Fifteen minutes later I reeeived the following tele-
gram from Guatemala :
" • You will please detain your vessel untilreeeiving further
orders from me.