The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-11-14
THE CUBAN QUESTION.

oniciai Account OF the Shooting OF Gen.
Ryan and his Comrades-The WASH
ington Authorities Inquiring into the
Matter.
A Washington dispatch of the 10th
inst says: The fate of the Cuban
sympathizers on the Virginius has
been the topic of universal and angry
discussion for the past two days and
Secretary Fish, according to the reports
of persons who have talked with him,
says Spain has misbehaved and done in
Justice to the liberality with which the
United States has treated her during her
present misfortune. The State Depart
ment has sent instructions to both Min
lister Sickles, at Madrid, and Consul
General Hall, at Havana, to telegraph
as soon as possible all facts in regard to
the capture of the Virginius, and the ex-
ecution of parties on board that vessel.
Hall replies there is some interruption of
the Geographic line between Havana
and Santiago de Cuba, and as yet he has
been unable to learn any particulars. A
dispatch from Minister Sickles states
that the Madrid Government had no in
formation of the execution until after it
had occurred. The only information
the Government now has is the fact that
the Virginius was captured and several
persons on her executed, but as to in
what waters, or under what circum-
stances, the vessel was captured, no in
formation has been received. Until
these facts are known officially, the
Government will take no action in the
matter. The Secretary of the Navy has
telegraphed to Rear-Admiral Scott,
commanding the North Atlantic Sta
ton, to proceed in person or send YES
sci to Santiago de Cuba, without delay,
to cooperate with Vice Consul Schmitt
at that place in protecting the interests
of the United States in the affair of the
Virginius.
A telegram has just arrived at the
State Department from Consul General
Hall, giving full account of the ex-
ecution of the American citizens. He
intends to protest for his Government
against the outrages committed by the
Spanish authorities in violation of inter-
national law, and of our treaties with
Spain, and to demand an adequate re-
paration. The State Department is
reticent, but determined to obtain
redress. There is very unfavorable
feeling against Spain in official circles.
The following dispatch from Gen.
Burriel, commander of the Spanish troops
at Santiago de Cuba, to the Captain
General of Cuba, contains all the in
formation thus far received of the
shooting of the insurgent leaders
SANTIAGO DE CUBA Nov 4.
To His Excellency the Captain General:
At q o'clock this morning were shot in this
city, for being traitors to their county and
for being insurgent chiefs. the following per-
sons, styling themselves Patriot Generals :"
Bernebe; Verona. alias Bembetta General of
Division; Pedro Cespedes, Commanding Gen
eral OF Cienfuegos General Jesus del Sol
and Brigadier General Washington Ryan.
The executions took place in presence Of the
entire corps of volunteers the force of regu-
lar infantry, and sailors from the fleet. An
immense concourse of people also witnessed
the act. The best of order prevailed. The
prisoners met their death with composure
(Signed) BURRIEL.
A Havana letter dated Nov. 5 gives
the following account of the execution
4" The four prisoners were shot at the
place made famous by previous execu-
tions, and in the usual manner, kneel-
ing close to the slaughter house wall.
All marched to the spot with frmness.
Bambetta and Ryan showed marked
courage, although the former was
slightly affected toward the last. The
two others quite broke down before
they were bandaged, but the rest, up to
the last, never finched q moment, and
died without fear or regret. Bambetta
and Ryan were killed at the first dis
charge"