The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-04-05
The Case Of DR.. Howard.

The most glazing and outrageous attack
upon the rights of American citizens to pro-
lection from this government against foreign
violence, has been made by the Spanish gov
eminent in the case of DR.. Howard This
gentleman is native of Philadelphia and
graduate Of one Of its medical schools, being
the son of naturalized citizen who after.
wards removed his residence to Cuba. Hith.
er DR.. Howard also removed and prosecuted
the practice of his profession, but never re-
aounced his American citizenship. The ac-
count of his case says that he occupied prom
inent position, until this trouble with the
government, which resulted from the finding,
in surprised insurgent encampment, two
small homeopathic medicine cases, with his
name upon the lids, and which he declared
to have sold many years ago to q Spanish
gentleman named Bunyon, who dabbed in
amateur municipalities, and who was high
enough in the confidence of the government
to be appointed an officer in the treasury of
Tunas, but who, after the breaking out OF
the instruction, returned to Cienfuegos, from
uCHCC uO JOlutu tuC RCHLS ullt NdlllCi
with him the two medicine cases he had pur-
chased of DR.. Howard. He was also accused
of having had intercourse with the insur-
gents; and being related to the two Cavadas
--Adolfo and Federico-and to German Bar
RIO formerly United States consular agent at
Cienfuegos, his guilt in the eyes of the Span
iards was a foregone conclusion.
On this frivolous charge DR.. Howard was
thrown into prison and langushed over
year until his case was decided. Since his
arrest Consular Agent Morris, at Cienfuegos,
and Consular General Biddle, and later since,
Gen. Torbert, have been most jealous in en-
deavoring to have his trial concluded. Con-
sular General Torbert took deep interest in
his case, and did all in his power to obtain
a release, OF at least mitigation of his sen.
tence, but, as the result shows, unavailingly,
the Spanish authorities persistently main
tanning that the prisoner was no citizen of
the United States. He also visited DR.. How
ard the day of his departure on board the
steamer. 1t is now an affair to be settled be-
tween the two governments Recent devel-
opments tend to prove, what was already be.
yond doubt, except to his enemies, the en-
tire innocence of DR. Howard of any of the
charges brought against him. The principal
witness against the Doctor was man named
Manuel Capote, who, now that he is safe in
the United States, has written to Cuba that
all the evidence he gave against DR.. Howard
was false and without any foundation what
aver; that he was compelled to testify as he
did, for he feared the threats of the volunteers
that unless he did so he would himself be az
raigned and shot.
1t will be o humiliating spectacle if the
United States government fails to rescue this
innocent victim OF Spanish cruelty, to see the
rights of American citizens trampled upon by
third OF fourth-rate power such as Spain
This is Il good opportunity to settle the af.
fairs, not of DR.. Howard only, but of Cuba
also, and swift and immediate steps should
he taken in that direction.