The New York herald., 1873-12-29

their fast-eDping hopes OF freedom began TO return
What with the few luxuries supplied them by the
Commander OF the Juniata the condition OF the IN
valds was considerably ameliorated and the sur
ferers bade us adeu with grateful hearts.
A PAINFUL SITUATION.
Meanwhile the British men-ol-war Niobe and
Woodiark had left the harbor the former for
Havana and the latter Cor E.ngs.cry. On the same
day The United S.s..es steamer wyoming Weighed
anchor and sailed for Key West. so that when
the French vessel took her departure few days
afterwards there remained at Santiago only the
Kansas and Juniata. Nor should forget to men
ton that throughout the entire proceedings,
throughout the several interviews at the palace,
the preparations for assault and defence, through
out the live long sultry days and often sleepless
nights, and the hostile movements OF the volun-
teers, whose threats and scornful utterances were
hourly made known to us, we were kept
in total darkness as to the turn aIairs
had taken. For all we knew about the
situation we might just as well have been in China.
Little did we dream. while ready at moments
notice, to engage the enemy--and there was good
reason to be ON the alert-that negotiations were
then pending whereby the problem might be peace
fully solved. In vain had tidngs been awaited.
Mail after mail arrived from Havana and still not
q word for u.s. Lett thus to our own resources
and these were limited enough) there was moth
ing for 1t but patience The gossipers OF the town
were busy, and 1t would seem that all our antici-
pations OF an engagement were about to be full
filed. Hundreds OF men-some OF them soldiers,
most OF them from the chaingang-were employed
in all directions throwing up breastworks and
, mounting guns. The MORO Castle, and In Its
close vicinity the Estrella fort commanding
the entrance to the harbor, were strength
ened, ana indeed every prominent point
near the city was strongly fortified for what they
lacked In the cabre Of the guns they tried to
make up In quantity. These preparations how
ever concerned US little, well Knowing the ability
OF our available force to meet the emergency;
rather was it the state of doubt and anxiety in
which we were held that caused the tormcnting
uneasiness to which we had now become o prey.
Hard, indeed, was 1t to bear the sneers OF the
ragged rogues ashore, whose audacty and conceit
were equaled only Dy their ignorance and ras-
cality.
THE VOLUNTEERS.
It was well known that the volunteers not only
gloried IN the foul deed that stained their city, but
were determined at all hazards to complete their
infamy by the burchery OF the remaining prison.
ers. And thus the situation continued for days.
Worried with frutless expectation and ha-
rassed by all the rumors the occasion could
suggest, we lay at anchor in front OF the
city, not knowing the moment that the welcome
toscin of alarm would ring forth and afford an op.
portunity for that speedy punishment which the
braggart volunteers had so long courted In vain.
In view Of the entire surroundings cannot help
thinking that the amount OF forbearance GOODNESS
and judgment displayed by the commanding officer
OF the Juniata contributed largely to the final
satisfactory issue OF events for it will be that,
backed by that baneful institution, the Casino
Espaiiol the more bloodthirsty portion OF the In
habitants Indignantly rebelled against any pro-
posed surrender of the prisoners Indeed, their
demonstrations assumed the most threatening pro-
portions so that under the circumstances not
little caution was required. 1t must be borne
In mind that no state Of warfare ex-
listed and that any overt act on the
part of the American men-of-war would
only tend to increase the complications, however
great the provocation. But If ever an enemy was
spelling for thorough whipping it was assuredly
the volunteers OF Santiago. They held out the
ever to be deplored that the ragged warriors were
not treated to their deserts
THE AMERICAN CONSUL.
The arrival OF Mr.. A. N. Young, the American
Consul, who had left Santiago on leave some time
before the capture OF the Virgtnius, served to
store feeling of confidence among the American
residents and the energetic manner in which he
co-operated with Commander Braine, the prompt
and trustworthy methods he adopted to carry out
whatever might tend TO serve the interests OF
the government in situation the most
perplexing, are entitled to creditable recog-
milton. II pluck. tact, and discrimination have
anything to do towards making our representa-
tives efficient, Mr.. Young possesses these qualif.
cations in an eminent degree. At all events, he
taught some of his neIghbors wholesom lesson; /;
for, when some Spanish officers became indignant
because he hoisted the Americ nag on the hotel
where he resided as signal to the Juniata IN the
harbor, they sneaked or quite compacently on
being informed Of the immediate fate Of the first
man who dared to haul 1t down. Mr.. Young is now
the senior Consul on the island. and his promotion
to the Office Of Vice Consul General Of Cuba is very
opportune, though it was rumored that one OF the
consular clerks mad been recommended to the po-
sition. 1t Is hardly possible, however, that the
claims OF Mr. Young Will be wilfully overlooked.
SHADOWS OF COMING EVENTS.
Inow come to an eventful part OF this narrative.
Burriel had returned from Havana in the very
steamer 70 which the shipwrecked yet securely
bound prisoners had been transferred al Cienfue-
gos, where the gunboat Bazan had run ashore.
The temperance OF this master cutthroat at San
tiago augured Tor the worse, for his temperament
and pr0clivities were too well known to hope for
mercy at his hands. His return infused q new
spirit into the minions that surrounded HIM, and.
with beating hearts, they only awaited his nod to
end the tragedy with carnage more horrible than
any preceding it. 1t was for Us time OF mental
anxiety, now fast becoming uncomfortable. At
length, after days OF waiting and uneasness, the
news arrived that negotiations mad been concluded
between the United States and Spain, whereby the
captured steamer and the surviving prisoners
were to be delivered up. This was virtually all,
anil mn nnhn k1.n
| announcement caused general disappointment,
for 1t was earnestly hoped that q wholesome
! lesson would have been administered to those
: whose wanton barbarity had called forth the ex-
ecrafiofig o. the civilized world Immediately
upon recent Of irforscation from Consul General
Han at Havana Consul 1oiif6e pf5cseu;ccd to the
Juniata and informed Commander Braine Of the
proposed settlement OF the question at issue.
letter was az once desnatched tn Rurricl