Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-10-28

dence-Ibe Reefing Of the Fanny
General ssan-The Attempt 20 As.
sassinate Him Spanish StiIlet-
tos and Grand Army MedaIs-
Journalist Communication with
Cuba, &C, dc.
He wears a big black sIouch hat of the SOM
brero pattern, long dark hair which rests upon
broad military cape, and carries a huge
knotted walking stick which would have Pit to
shame the traditional blsck-thorn with which
Bryan O'Linn, with rigid impartiality gayly
whscked the sconces OF friends and enemies a.
DonnybroOk fair-does the American Cuban
General W. A. q. Ryan, whose form has been
familiar for months past to most OF our citizens.
He is of medium height, and to use pu gilistIc
phrase, stands well on his pins while looking at
you wIth-a pleasant light In his large blue eyes
and an open smile on his clean-shaved and thin
but rather handsome face. He has large nose
(all great men have big noses, but to cOmpen-
safe for this has a small giri-hke mouth. He is
young for one who has seen so much OF adven-
ture, being but twenty-eight, and in general APP
dashing cavalry trooper, as he looked when in
the field during the rebellion. He has an easy,
gentlemanly address, talks fuently and earnest
ly, and in conversation uses unexceptionable
Eng Ssh, If occasional forcible explosives are not
taken into account.
THE NEW EXPEDITION TO CUBA,
representative of The STAR met the Gem
eral at the Metropolitan Hotel the other day
and had long conversation with him in regard
TO Cuban matters. The material facts elected
are given below.
RepOrter.-"Well, General, how fOurishes the
cause you have SO near at heart 2"
Gen. R-"Well, sir, everything looks favora-
bic; but come this way" and he turned into the
reading room of the hotel and taking a cat in
ole corner beckOned the reporter to a seat by
his Size; "fou see can t tell you all you and
the public would like 10 know about our pro-,
poets, except to say in a general way that they
are encouraging, and that the friends OF Cuba
still hopeful."
K.-"You can. suppose. tell me if the rumor
IL true thet another expedition Tor Cuba is being
fitted out 2"
Gen. RI can and will. An expedition is
fitting out and will leave within thirty days.
This much feel at liberty TO say"
R-.Hou are not telling, suppose, General,
from what point the expedition starts, or any
thing relative to Its proportions ~
Gen. r., hesita, ng a m0ment-"Of course il
wouldn't do for me TO tell where the expedition
is fitting out, its pOintO departure, its precise
destine ton. This much L can say, however; it
Is purely an American enterprise in the interests
of Cuba. Americans furnish the capital and the
expedition IS comp osed wholly of Americans"
RI presume, General, that you are con-
ceIned In this new enterprise ?"
Gen. RI am connected with it, in fact
was the first man ID start it."
r." Can you tell me how many men and
arms you will take out?''
TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED MEN.
Gen. R." We intend to take out 2 800 men
all Americans, as said beforehand 5000 stand
of arms. Perhaps it would be nearer the exact
truth to say 1900 men. In doing this / make
allowance for the sneaks aud towards " hO will
desert US at the last moment. We want none OF
this class with us; we want only such men as
and are willing to face them"
IL; e." take It. for granted that you will 90
4 AZ
ever, N not known in the matter, and can't
be. 1t wouldn't do for me to be seen visiting
our vessel, for then general attention would be
directed to it. Neither would il do for Cubans
to take an active part in this enter PRISE for the
same reason"
THE NEUTRALITY LAWS NOT VIOLATED
R." How will you Join the expedition?"
Gen. R." j ust as i have always done before
on the high seas. In this way have, think,
avoided a violation Of the neutrality Jaws. When
the Fannie left Baltimore cleared from New
York in tug boat, and joined her at sea. 1
Joined the Hornet at sea, in the same way
R" By the way, General, were not charges
with the Fannie eaiti oSt s''' " connection
Gen. R.-"in order TO explain that IL Is neces-
sary 70 say that the Cubaps in America are
divided into
FIVE DIFFERENT FACTIONS,
all pulling different ways to accomplish the same
object. Remus Cespedes, cousin OF President
Cespedes, is minister from the Republic OF Cuba
to the United States, and V. A. Agulara is the
war agent and vice president of the republic.
Neither OF them speak English, and both are
Obliged TO trust to incompetent interpreters.
The CubaDs are unacquanted with American
manners and customs, and the result mas been
bungling and Encouragement all the way
through. Live Americans should have been
charged with the executive part Of Cuban mat
have had charge Of the issue and sale OF Cuban
bonds. and the funds derived therefr0m should
have been placed tn the hands OF some wide
awake American military man to dit out expedi
TORS. As it is, with the combined efforts OF the
friends OF Cuba in America and Europe in four
years, but 10, 900 stand of arms have reached the
patriots from abroad, and all through the stu
pidity, mismana cement, and rascaIty of the
men in charge. 1 was charged with cowardice
simply because the captain of the Fannie, Geo.
w. Brown, sold out the expedition and reefed
her on the rocks nearly hundred miles from
her original destination. L am not a sailor. and
what should know about navigation? L was
SICK All the way over, and was under the sur
geon's care, and when we landed 1 wei hed but
iSg pounds, my usual weight being from 100 to
THE ATTEMPT TO AssAssINArE RYAN.
R.-"Was there not an attempt made to as
sassinate you on the vOvage?"
Gen. R.-"Yes, sir; do you see that small hole
in this medal2'' and the General threw back his
cape and disclosed a small Grand Army of the
Republic medal suspended from his ieft breast
The assassin aimed at my heart. 1t was two
berth at the time almost dead from diarrhea
and black vomt. Lieut.. Pow efui was with me
at the time and afterw ards went for the surgeon.
The point OF the dagger struck the medal and
glanciDg OFF cut up through q button-ho Of
my vest end penetrated my hips
R-"How do you account for this attack upon
yOu?"
Gen. RI have theory in regard to the
matter. The assassins were doubtless hired to
put me out Of the way. At any rate that same
morning We sighted land and while laying to-
men deserted us. have no doubt they were the
men who were hired TO assassinate me. Soon
after the Fannie expedition, Cuban named
Mayrnga, fellow employed as An Interpreter
IN New York, published 9 card saying that he
had recommended that be removed from the
Cuban service.
TART LETTER.
Here Is copy Of the letter sent him.
The General here produced q letter dated
Washington, August ~, 1872, addressed to s. M
Mayroga, New York, frem which the following
extracts are made:
"You have your revenge at last, though your
triumph will be Of but snort duration. Taking
advantage Of your masters temporary absence
you have dared 10 publish this card. ~
Yea well knew that You have no authority to
make any such Recommendation, and would not
dare forward such letter to President Ces-
pedes. Gen. Agulara and Mr.. Ces-