The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-12-19
IMPRISONMENT AND RELEASE,

Captain General, demanded and Set
Frec-Privatc Chats with the Herald
Commissioner.
l W1, sitting In my room In the "Hotel Tele@
grato," at about six O'Clock the evening
received the Captain Generals order, when an at
tache OF the house informed me gentleman de-
sired to see me outside, to whom l was at once
presented by name and the information given me-
that was in the presence OF
THE CHIEF OF THE POLICE OF THE ISLAND OF
CUBA.
'Teniente Coronel de Ejercite, Ricardo Sanchez.
Gefe de Policia' Orchard Sanchez, Lieutenant
Colonel OF the Army and Chief OF Police), a TALL,
slender man, with dark complexion and light
eyes. resumed the seat from which he had arisen
when entered and, motioning me to another,
said, through the attache, who speaks English
we'll he desired to ask me a few questions and
then, consulting paper in his hand from time to
time, asked when / arrived in Havana upon what
steamer, how long intended remaining ard my
business in Cuba. Upon my replying to the ques.
ton he said must
ACCOMPANY HIM TO rfTE POLICE OFFICE.
It was with considerable uneasiness accom-.
panied the official down stairs, where were
joined by another uniformed, armed officer, who,
calling Victoria, mounted the box with the
driver, while the Chief and took the seat within.
At the police headquarters found my inter-
prefer, who had walked and through him l de-
manded the cause OF this arrest. His reply was
would ascertain in day or two; that lie did not
know himself; he had been ordered by his supe-
ror TO arrest and c0nine me securely, but to
give me every comfort possible. was then taken
t"
MY PRISON.
a small room adjoining the main one used by the
police. 1t on the second story, with one win
dow barred, or course) looking down into o mar
row street. At the door an officer, armed with %
sword, was stationed servant within call was
placed at my service, and card, upon which was
the word LUIS" the presentation OF which to the
servant would at any time bring me an interpreter
Writing materials and wine were brought me, ands
sending the servant to the hotel with note OF en-
couragement to my wife aud asking for cigars ana
books, prepared to he as jolly as possible In this
novel situation. Several Americans called during
the evening" for news OF my Incarceration spread
rapidly ana it was with great diitcuty prevented
them from asking the immediate interference OK
Mr.. Hall, United States Vice Consul Generai. o.
iecteu to this because | was confident tnat II 1
could see the Captain General my imprisonment
would not be prolonged, while the interposilion Oh
the United states government through It's COnsut
might totally defeat the object OF my VISIT Al ABOUT
ten O'Clock a rude cot was put into my room, ands
closing the door upon my guard passed. my nrst
I was awakened on the morning after at about
half-past six, by the servant ordered to walt upon
me, with the question addressed to every one az
over the island upon rising, win you nave ceyS
4 ieche care ~ tOHce ana VI coheo! "HeA
\ informed That breakfast would be ready at eleven
\ O'Clock. 80. ,,. o.,,,,.
sion entered the room with the interpreter, and IN
the grandiloquent style habitual to Spaniards, puu
himself at my service and asked If desired any-
| thing. Before breakfast several American and one
English gentleman called and insisted upon laying
my my case before the tinted states Consul, 70 this
objected strongly as was fully persuaded my i'm.
nrisonment would not be prolonged after an op.
portunty should be given me to explain the oplese
Of my visit to Cuba and that OBJECT wouia ~e e ~,
ynnfv IF Iafao
AFTER sUMPTroUs BREAKFAST
employed my time until three O'Clock in studying
the Cosd de cuba, as seen ii small house across
the narrow street. At Tat hour was directed 10
Victoria. After ten minutes drive we arrived at
the Palace, and In q few minutes, ushcred through
sa.s 81 peo ans r oy e was IN
THE PRESENCE CAPTAIN GENERAL CEBALLos,
~ s!sest dgnitary Ia the county nay ea an1 We
were joined by the Captain Generals Chief OF stan,
who speaks English with tolerable fluency anu IN
tenigibty. Ceballos, a middle-sized, handsome
man. with gray hair mustache and goatee, was at
tired plain dark suit OF clothes, his miiitar =
character shown only by white belt ABOUT MS
waist.
/ was questioned very courteousy as to the object
OF my visit to the island or my business with GER
tain suspected persons whom had been in COM
muDicaton with In Havana without any conceal
ment stated had been sent by the editor OF the
NEW YORK HERALD to ascertain the true state Of
affairs In Cuba, and particularly the condition and
Known For various reasons it would he irano, Was
to give the conversation that ensued IN erte7asO 1t
Is sufficient to say that at the end OF about hour
was remanded TO my prison, with the assurance
that would be released Immediately, and directed
Wien that desirable event should be accomplished
to iepalr TO the palace, when and where the matter
would be further discussed.
But the o~,ey for my release did not come that
day and az MIR drew on VINE and 'refrescOs,,
were brought the .-'ard was stationed outside the
closed door. and nv .'scond night In prison fol-
| lowed.
1t was not until the alterno.. N OF the next day
lhat was released Chief Sanc nth ,iSgl1 SRen
Ing wide the door OF my cell and n mnnis! I,
arrival at that moment OF Dr. Burgess an your
resident Havana correspondent gave the che. an
to display that politeness OF the
ne not only assured me that could hereafter COM
and that would do him the favor or permitting
Nun IN some way to share his esteem ana respect
with much bowling, the Chief seeing us to our car
rlage' we TOOK our departure with considerably
I than had felt upon entering it.
| The next day, october 10,
CALLED UPON THE CAPTAIN GENERAL
at MS palace and was without any trouble or delay
admitted 10 MS presence and being joined directly
by the chief OF stan, long and interesting CONVEX
satlon ensued on the rebellion, the present condi-
ton OF the insurgents and my mission to the
island. l was assured by both these gentlemen
less than twenty-five hundred and OF these there
were not more than six per cent whites. map OF
the insurrectonary districts was shown me and
the positions Of the Spanish and Cuban forces
pointed out.
Letters OF Introduction addressed to "Ecsmo. Sr.
Comandte en- Gefe del Ejercito de 0peracioncs del
Centre Oriente. Don Jose Riguelme" and to
"Escsmo. ST. Comdte Oral. de Pto. Ppe. Don Ramon
FajardO,r we're then furnished me, with the assn
rance that both these officials should be directed
by mail to give me every opportunity to ascertain
the real condition OF the insurgents.
II would be presuming upon the ignorance OF the
people to pretend that the gist OF your correspond
ent's interviews with the Captain General has been
given. That the great and unprecedented facilities
afforded him to study the military operations, and
the respect and honor thereafter universally
SHOWN to the HERALD commissioner bv ALL SDanish
officials with whom he came in contact. point uner-
ringly to something more than appears on the sur
face Is not to be denied and, however pleasant it
might be to crafty the curiosity OF the public in
this particular, and give full account OF the diplo
natl nen lot uh auIf Tod faun