The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-29

all the details OF the scene which is presented to
the Imagination with terrible distinctness.
SHORT sHRIFT IN CUBA LIBRE.
In my case this tendency was aggravated by res
cent events. Among the insurgents was pris-
oner whose only crime, so far as know, was that
OF being Spanish soldier or officer. Ha
had been placed on trial before q court
martial. and had seen him conduct.
ing his defence az passed by thu
point on my way to take bath in river close by.
Half an hour later, leaving the bath, l waa
startled by the report OF firearms, which was fol<
lowed by the heart-rending shrleks or women. Foe
q moment thought the camp had been surprised;
but as the firing ceased with the one voley, those
who were bathing with me informed me that in am
probability the court martial had sentenced the
prisoner to death and he had been Immediately
executed. The shock OF that event had been
severe 1t was not the first death by bullets
among the insurgents during my stay with them,
but 1t was the one that made me feel
most keenly the terrible state OF society into which
| mad been thrown. All my previous ideas OF the
sanctty OF lie and the protection OF the law were
annihilated and had come to recognize that force
was the only law which could impose respect for
right or life in this Island OF Cuba. With these inn
pressions fresh and vivid In my mind 1t IL scarcely
surprising that l fell asleep wondering why men
who are shot fall forward, and II should furnish
an exception to this general rule. r
SUSPENSION OF PROCEEDINGS.
Next morning. having somewhat recovered from
the depression OF spirits In which had been for
some days, wrote letter to the Vice Consul,
asking him to see the Fiscal and request him to
suspend further proceedings until reply came
to telegram which l desired to be sens
to Mr.. Dunlop, the British Consul General in Cuba,
requesting him to obtain my removal to Havana
for trial. The Fiscal sent me back word that he
would await the reply, and nothing was done tin
next day, when the Court reassembled, although
no reply had been received to my telegram. Even
now there Is no certainty that this telegram has
been delivered, as no acknowledgment OF its re.
ceipt has come either by telegraph or by mail.
VIOLATING THE HERALD CORRESPONDENTS.
On the reassembling Of the Court on the 9th Of
April was surprised to ind that Mr.. Lauten, tho
British Vice Consul, appeared as witness In the
case. wished to protest, but was ordered to re-
main SILENT and the Fiscal further forbade any COM
munication between me and the representative Of
my Government. The Vice Consul, under protest.
then recognized the packet OF papers which had
delivered to him as my property, and the Fiscal in
theatrical fashion broke the cover saying that II
the English government protested that he al
Judge, would assume the responsibility OF his act.
1t was difficult to refrain from laughing
at the figure cut by this official while, like
modern Ajax, he was defylng tho
British. thunder. In the packet were found
three note books, filed with notes concerning the
state OF Cuba books and notes being the property
OF Mr.. James Gordon Bennett letter from Car
los Manuel Cespedes and one rom Fornurts Ces.
pedes one of the secretaries OF the Cuban Camara,
dren whom the insurgents alleged to have been
killed by the Spaniards In cold blood, and some
unimportant private papers, made up the contents
OF the packet. AS 1t was necessary to have the
notes translated into Spanish In order to prepare
the charges against me, the Court adjourned, and
was left in peace to ruminate over the beauties Of
NEWS FROM FRIENDS AT LAST. $500.
the 9rss answer to any o. my commu1 as
where the news OF my arrest had been received i've
days after the first telegram. This is a sample Of
mitted me, and the ideas OF Justice and fair play
entertained by the people in whose hands nave so
ious, or more so, would have taken the advice Of
the Cubans and proceeded to Jamaica. However,
regrets are useless. Resides there Is little
which decided me not TO place myself entirely IN
the hands OF the Insurgents II appears very
special agents have never reached the HERALD, for
as l have heard nothing Of them, assume that
| they never reached. This circumstance strikes me
| as very suspicious, because the messengers were
thoroughly reliable. and II the communications in
BY
completely In the dark, but as soon as Mr.. Price
arrives win know better what to think about the
| things which have 70 say that cannot SAY Ow
lest my reasons for saying them should
belief expressed that 1t was almost impossible
| to write the whole truth without offending both
tSat to Write about It'll this Cuban question ONE re-
| quires to be absolutely free from even the sus-
picion OF being influenced bv either side.
RESORT TO PERJURY.
| On the 9Th Of April was again brought ont OF
my cell at the command OF authority to take part
in most disgraceiul farce. Up to this date Z
feared the vengeance or the authorities, but
did not believe them capable OF de-
scnds to means to
against me. When my cell door opened saw q
number OF civilians ranged In the courtway, and
these people had to do with me, the Fiscal told me
to take Off my hat, and afterwards my coat. AL
though very much surprised and puzzled, did as
was told. | was then handed hat and coat be-
longing to another man. which, as directed, put
on. Then the Fiscal ordered me to place myself
and In an instant after the door or the room next
to my cell was opened carefully, as II to allow the
Young Niger girl came out, and was Immediately
requested by the Fiscal to recognize
THE "ENGLIsHMAN WHOM SHE HAD SEEN WITH cES-
in the camp Of Panchuucas, in Cuba.n The whole
import OF the farce was at once evident. Never In
the girls lie had she seen me with Cespedes, for
had neither been to Panchulucas nor had seen
Cespedes In that district Of Cuba However, 10
was very easy to recognize me. For some DAYS
before nv attention had been drawn to unusual
concourse OF cOlOrcd visitors In the fort, and even
II this had no influence lt Is very easy to PICK out
besides in their great hurryI was placed in line
with my slippers and blue hannel trOwsers, which,
taken together with q Cuban hat and white coat,
must have presented costume capable OF attract
ing the attention Of even an ignorant nigger-
Three times the farce OF changing portions OF my
costume was gone through and in order to make
assurance douby sure one OF the offlcals entered
the room where the girl was confined each time
that slight change OF costume was effected, not,
OF course, with the object Of informing her OF the
change, In case she should be sufficiently stupid
not to know me again-a stupidity so great
that 10 passes belief ! requested to to be spared
this farce but the fiscal informed me that IL was
only formaty This was not difficult TO believe
because much | have seen OF their legal pro-
ceedings have been little more than the merest
formalities.
RECOGNITION OF THE SPANISH TRIBUNAL
This incident, however, had considerable IN
| nuepce In determining me TO recognize tue mili.
| tary court, in order to hasten the proceedings.