The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-26

CUBA.
Wholesale Assn ssinntiOn-The PalnciOs Mas
sncre-AtrOcitY of the spnninrds.

OF the Spaniards has not been in the least eXag-
gerated. A correspondent writes from Havana
on the 18th inst;-n
l am sure that you are wearied with the sub
Ject of confiscations, also the different pro-
positions with reference to the disposition OF
the Aldamas mansion. The journals here are
daily filed with these themes. There is II mat
ter, 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 these;-Ou the 20th of June last
two respectable physicians of Santiago
de Cuba, named Jose Antonio Perez and Rafael
Espinar, lawyer, Gonzalo de Viii
lar, and several planters-to wit A. Villasano
D. A. Dollazo, B. Collazo and Senor Ascensio-
were thrown into prison, on suspicion of being
members of the revolutionary committee of that
city. Here they remained some fifteen days,
The Attorney-General of the government an
nOunced to the Governor that there were no
proofs to support the accusations, and, in few
days, all but two of the prisoners were released.
Not long after this, these same parties
again put in prison by the Governor, because he
maintained that the order of the Captain-Gene-
raj gave full power to imprison upon
mere suspicion. The prisoners began now to fear
seriously for their lives, especially when it was
announced to them that they would be sent up
to Bayamo, there to await the orders of Valma-
seda. 1t is stated that their friends interceded
with the Consuls of the United States, of Eng
land, of France, and of the North German Con-
federation, who approached the Governor upon
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
Valmaseda ordered them off in a few days to
Jiguani, and sent along rs an escort 200 men, un-
der the command of his Adjutant, Lieut.. Colonel
Palacios few of the prisoners friends accom-
panied the party, because they feared 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, numbering nineteen in all, were shot down
and murdered in cold blood. Nalmaseda pre-
tended to be angry at the conduct of Palacios,
but, perhaps, this was in order to conceal his
own agency in the matter. At any rate General
De Rodas upon learning the facts, was exceed
ingly indignant, ordered Palacios Immediately
to Havana, and on 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, and
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 EXceency
is in constant dread of the volunteers, and, if
rumor be true, is greatly dsgusted at the state OF
matters
Probably the most unnatural crime committed
by the authorities of Spain, in Cuba, since the
revolt Mt Yara, is that represented in the follow
ing There is assurance that had it not been for
the action taken by the four consular represent
atves of England, France the German Confed-
eraton and the United States, very little of this
would have been made public, at least at an
early date. The petition of the eight prominent
citizens of Santiago de Cuba, which is appended,
was placed on file in each of the four-named
Consulates.
1t appears that as early rs the Goth of June
Don Francisco Casanova, a Spaniard, and citizen
of San of Santiago de Cuba, went before the
Spanish authorities there, and made affidavit
that those gentlemen whose names were signed
to the petition were disloyal to the Spanish
Government. Upon this affidavit the Fiscal
Col. Marcanaz, ordered their arrest They were
imprisoned, remaining in close confinement for
IS days, when they were then examined,
in the absence OF Marcanaz, by new
Fiscal, who reported to the Governor that
there was nothing against the men, and
recommended that they be discharged. This
was DONE they giving bail not to take action
against the Government. Six days afterwards
they were all again arrested and imprisoned.
The circular of General de ROdas, dated July s
reached Santiago de Cuba on the lnh OF July.
Two days after the Governor announced that he
should send his prisoners to ManzanillO for trial
but his friends learned that he meant really to
send them to Bayamo, then Nalmaseda's head
quarters.
They were then escorted from Marzanillo to
4 Bayamo by Lieutenant-C COlone, Julian SalzaT,
an officer asked for by the prisoners themselves
They arrived safely at ManZanlllo. Thence
SalZar, with eight men, escorted them safely to
Bayamo, which once reached they all felt
4 greatly relieved, for they were impressed with
the belief that they would be assassnated on the
4 highway between the two places. After remain
ing one day only at Bayamo, Nalmaseda ordered
them to Jiguani for trial They started from
Bayamo with far more apprehension for their
lives than they had before leaving Santiago de
Cuba, for their worst fears were well
4 grounded, the commander of the escort
detailed to them being none other than
u Lieutenant-Colonel Palacois, whose mistress
is the daughter of the same Francisco
4 Casanova who made affidavit against them.
They made known their fears to several friends
at Bayamo, who offered to join them on their
Journey. They started, but before reaching
Santa Rita the soldiers fell upon them and shot
them-not only the prisoners, but their friends,
among whom were Don Manuel Fresneda Don
servant, and seven others, whose names were
not learned. he whole number assassinated
was twenty. Colonel Palacios returned to Bay
amo, and reported the old story that the prison
ers revolted on the road, and he had to kill them
in defense. The soldiers searched their bodies
and found $500 in money and n number of yalu-
able watches, which, with their baggage, became
the booty of the assassins.
n Official Report from the Patriot Generals.
REPUBLIC OF CUBA, DTPARTBENT OF WAR,
July 49, 1S69.-The COmmander-R-C Chief of the
n army makes the following report to this depart
ment;-
ARMY HEADQUARTERS, PLIABo, July O. 1869.
On the 7th inst directed General Castillo 10
reconnOitre the position held by the enemy on
n the line of the railroad When the report of the
operations received determined to attack
him in his stronghold between Savanna Nueva
and Camaguey. left Penon day before yester-
"A day at the head of 300 men, in advance of the
main command. We arrived in front of the DO
sition held by the enemy at A. NJ. Yesterday
directed Lieutenants Sanguile and Batista tC
advance with few men and learn whether the
enemy had made any different disposition of hi