Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-25
THE VlRGINIUS PRLSONERS-TH THE
SURRENDER-SIT SITUATION AT SAN
Yy1Cf) DE HTTRA

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AT SAN-
TIAGO DE CUBA.
correspondent of the Tribune, writing
under date of the 22nd inst from Key West
says:
The Pin,a LETT Key West eight days ago
with Lieut.. Aulick Palmer, a special messen-
ger of the Navy Department, who carried in
structions in regard to the surrender to Lieut.
Commander Braine of the Juniata. The Pinta
arrived at Havana on the following morning
and landed Lieut. Palmer, who went thence
overland by rail to Batabano, and thence by
steamer to Santiago de Cuba, while the Pinta
went to some place with duplicates Of his dis
patches. The Pnta arrived on the morning
of Thursday, the 18th, ahead of Lieut.. Palmer,
but found that the prisoners, 100 in number,
had been surrendered few hours before.
1t appears that the Spanish authorities to
the last moment kept the poor wretches IN lg'
norance of their prospective release, and with
base inhumanity led them to suppose that they
we're to be executed. Priests were with them
taking their confessions and dying declara-
tons, and imploring them to look to God for
pardon. They were taken out of prison in
despair but, on their way to the slaughter
pen, as they supposed, their eyes fell upon
the Juniata flying the flag of the United
States. When they realized the truth scene
occurred which beggars description. The
epthus iasm knew no bounds. They were
speedily transferred to the deck of the Juni-
alta, and gave vent to the most extrayagant
but touching demonstrations ofjoy, embracing
each other, some crying, some kissing, and
others audibly offering thanks to the Almighty
for their deliverance from the horrors of their
dungeon and the prospect of an ignominlous
death. On the night before the surrender the
officers and crew Of the Juniata were stationed
at quarters, her guns being turned on the
city. The Spanish volunteers having been
excited to an open riot by the rumor that the
surrender was to take place, large number
of volunteers went in a body to the Gov
errors palace and begged permission to at
tempt the capture of the Juniata, saying that
they could do it with knives alone. The
Governor refused to grant permission. Our
officers believe that the application was made
in earnest, and not few regret that it was
not favorably entertained, as the Juniata
alone, not to speak of the Kansas and Pinta,
would have been more than match for the
assailants.
On the arrival of the Pinta at Santiago,
orders came TO the ship from Commander
Braine for the paymaster to issue all the
blankets and pea jackets in his department to
the prisoners, who were hardly fit to be seen
in their rags. This was speedily done; but
as there was still great des.itution, orders
came for every man on board to give their
own blankets and wearing apparel in the
good cause, promise being made that all
would be replaced on the arrival of the ship
at Key West. The officers and men cheer
fully complied with this order, only preferring
that it should be issued as request, in which
hav OH ust q
much alacrity. Every heart was touched by
the pitiable condition of the prisoners. The
poor fellows report that they were barbarously
treated; but when the Pinta left they had
given few details beyond what have already
found their way into the Tribune. They say that
when the officers from the Tornado boarded
the Virginius one of them, in hauling down
the flag of the United States, tore it into
ribbons, and trampled on it, asserting with an
oath, "This is what have wanted"
The situation ia Santiago de Cuba is re-
ported still very serious. large majority
of the population is in sympathy with the
Cuban cause, but the Volunteers control
everything with a high hand. 1t is believed
that the surrender would not have been made
at last but for the firm stand taken by Com
mander Braine and the prevailing impression
that he would proceed to extreme measures
II tHere was any trlHinR UT posiponeIieht'
Only a week ago 20 citizens of Santiago were
arrested, and after mock trial had been
gone through with, without any evidence
being adduced against them, they were told
to go home. On the way they were cruelty
waylaid and killed, only one escaping; he
was riddled with bullets and dangerously
wounded. Americans are continually in fear
for their lives, and bitterly complain that
nothing has been done to redress their
wrongs. 1t is not safe for an American Off
Ger to go asaorc alone at Santiago. All
along the river line Spaniards are erecting
new batteries.
The Pintal left on Friday evening about sun
set arriving here tonight about 8 o'clock, max
ing remarkably swift passage. The surrender
took blaze at Moro Castle, six miles below
Santigo. A receipt was given for the prisoners
1t was reported in Santiago that when it was
found that the Virginius had been towed out
of the harbor of Havana, a large number of
naval officers of high grade rendered their
designations to the Home Government by
telegraph.
GENERAL NEWS
Tho rro6ts of tha pbiiada1nbia Cpntanpi. |