New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-26
THE CUBAN REVOLUTION.
WHOLESALE ASSASSINATION.
THE PALACIos MASSACRE ATRoCITY OF THE
sPANIARDS.


HAVANA, Aug 1s--I am sure that you are
wearied with the subject Of cOnfscatiOns, also
the different propositions with reference to the dis
position Of the AdamaS mansion. The journals here
are daily filed with these themes.
There Is matter, however, of some interest, and
which has been much spoken Of during the last
week. The facts were not fully credited until it was
known that Palacios was to be sent off to Spain by
the Captain-General The facts in the affair are
briefly Theses On the Goth ofJune last two respectable
physicians Of Santiago de Cuba, named jose Antonio
Perez, and Rafael Espnar lawyer, Gonzalo do Viii
lar, and several planters-to wit, A. Villasano j. A,
Collazo, B. Collazo, and Senior Ascensio-were
thrown into prison, on suspicion of being members
Of the Revolutionary Committee Of that city. Hero
they remained some 10 days. The Attorney General
Tor the Government announced to the Governor that
there proofs to support the accusations and
in few days, all but two of the prisoners were re-
leased Not long after this these same parties were
again Pit in prison by the Governor, because he
maintained that tho order OF the Captain-G Gene.
raj gave full power to imprisOn upon
mere suspicion. The prisoners began now to fear
seriously for their lives especially when it was an
nounced to them that theywould up to BayamO
there to await the orders of Yalmaseda 1t is stated
that their friends nterceded with the Consuls of the
United States, of England, of France, and Of the
North German Confederation, who approached the
Governor upon tho subject, and begged that the
prisoners might be tried there or if sent to BayamO
that good responsible officer should be sent along
with them. The latter suggestion was agreed to- and
IN due time the men arrived at Bayamo. Yalmaseda
ordered them Off in few days to Jiguani. and
sent along as an escort 200 men, under
the command of his Adutant Lieut. Col
Palacios. A few of the prisoners friends ac-
pomuauip1 fla rtv tbau
some treacherous movement. Sure enough, when they
arrived at a point in the road, called Santa Rita,
there were.heard three Kisses, and Immediately the
prisoners, and the friends accompanying them mum
berng nineteen in all, were shot down and murdered
in cold blood Valmaseda pretended to be angry at
the conduct of Palacos, but, perhaps, this was IN
order to conceal his own agency in the matter. At
any rate, Gen. De Rodas, upon learning the facts,
was exceedingly md gnant, ordered Palacios imme-
diaely to Havana and the 18th the latter sailed
for the Peninsula there to be tried for this infamous
crime.
The Governor General claims that his orders have
been grossly violated in this instance aud there is
no doubt but that he would have ordered the trial of
Palacios here, and most probably would have had
him shot had his own position been more secure
Unfortunately His Excellency is in constant dread
OF the volunteers and, if rumor be true is greatly
Disguised at the state of matters.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Probably the most unnatural crime commit
ted by authorities OF SPAIN In Cuba since the revolt
at Yaca that represented the following There Is
that had not been for the action taken by
consular representatives Of England, France the
confederation and the United states, very little
OF This would have been made public at least early
date The petition OF the eight prominent citizens OF
Santiago de Cuba, which Is appended, placed file
in each Of the four named COnsulates copy OF tho
he In the American Consulate Is that which print
II appears that early the Goth Of Juno Don Fran
cisco Casanova, spaniard, and citizen Of San
uagO dc Cuba, went before the Spanish
authorities there, and made AFFIDAVIT that
those gentlemen whose names signed 20 the petition
were dsoyal 20 the Spanish Government. Upon this
affidavit the Fiscal Col MaTcanaz, ordered their arrest
They we're imprisoned, remaining In close confinement
for 10 days, when they then examined in tho abb
senec Of Marcanaz by Fiscal who reported TO the
Governor that there nothing against the men, and
recommended that they be discharged. This was done,
they giving bail to take action against the Govern
mont Six days afterward they all again arrested
and imprisoned. The circular OF Gen. dc Rodas dated
July T. reached Santiago do Cuba the 18th OF July
Two DAYS after the Governor announced that lie should
send his prisoners Manzano for trial. but their friends
learned that he meant really TO send them TO Bayamo,
then yalmasedas headquarters. When satisfied that
snch was the disposition to be made Of them, the follow
inc peton was presented TO the Governor Of Santiago
through the hands OF the four Consuls:
"PuBrIC PRISON, SANTIAGO De CUBA, July 20, 1859.
His Eloehsney, Gocrnor Of Santiago DC e Gnoa n on1
Don Jose Antonio COazO, Don Ascenclo &c AscensO Don
Joaquin Ros, Don Salvador Benites Jr Don Bruno COZ
layo and Don Andres Nasano, citlIehs ol santiago Ie-
cuba aud prisoners accused OF being dsloyal TO the
SPANISH Government, have Just obtained interruption
that IL your intention TO senu US pi 10 o Por :" %
zanilo tomorrow by the steamer VIVA Sian' ana, hso
we understand that thence we are 10 no Iahe 70 lc ~.
of Ravano 10 DO tried for certain acts only suspected
10 The undersigned this seems terrible dtposu9h OF
r.1,a bv your ORDER for the most OF uj are without
VunJs Tor our Journeys wants by sea and land, and
are obliged leave our families without any resources
fr ,ber maintenance and In great alarm Tor the SAFETY
~ our lives They fear that should our escort meet WIN
any Of the revolutionary bands which iniest the sGt
tho encnuuter by our eNasperaed escort Inc distance
nom ManzanllO to Bayamo Is fourteen leagues anu ~ is
% onrney over this tract OF country which our 1ales
and friends fear 20 have US make We also partakg "
these same fears believing ms we hpihy 90 Inn Tn t
place that VIII be slaughtered IN consequence tnetGoi
Fully believing that you arG nnon 3be fair PROMISES
cant Cen de Rodas makes III MS circular OF july eIh
a prop }ass we ask you TO revoke this order for
rcmovol 10 BayamO. IL Is not tat we WISH 10 opposo
vomr yceency by this request but we ask Tor Justice
culIiance with the law which stipulates that none
sbaH he arrested and imprisoned on mere suspicion
or mo ty to be tried dsoyay at another and
distant tribunal, are denied the opportunity 70 %
evidences OF our innocence which exist only here zen
DO Rodas circular OF the sh INST proclams that an VINO
arc accused shall have far tria before comPotot f
Sa and we would represent to you the lmposslolB
~ nr securing fair trial In our case, since We are to DO
taken to q distant city lor tria|
The Governor said it was beyond his power 70 revoke
A., a1or lint gave the satisfactory answer that they
Wv no escorted from Manzano TO Bayamo by Lieut.
CI milan saizar officer asked for by the prisoners
,.aiye. They arrived safely at Manzanlllo Thence
sa,,r With eight men escorted them safely to Bayamo
nic% once reached they all felt greatly relieved for
they we're impressed with tho belief that tSSy ~U%a Dc
one day only at Bayamo, Valmaseda
49,, chem 20 Jiguan for trial They started from
80 with far apprehension for their
,'' 10y "" Nm they had before leaving Santiago do