The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-15


expeditions with the insurgents; that he took part
surgents have been much holder, making various
successful raids, which allegations have been duly
written up for the Spanish newspapers, causing
great deal Of bitterness against the accused corre-
spondent.
These reports are doubtless all false. The report
that Mr. O'Kelly had given the impression he was
perfect gentleman, whose word could not De
doubted, and who undertook the commission with
the instructions and with the promise also that he
would do nothing inconsistent with his character
OF an unbiased observer and an impartial reporter
OF facts will in all probability, be borne out should
he be able to complete his task. 1t is certainly
fact that great American paper had sent him on
this MISSION and that he while he started on 1t In
opposition the desire and in spite OF the threats
OF the Cuban authorities land which he has 80 far
completely, has raised up the hopes OF the insur-
gents that the United States will soon show its
power in order to make the utmost possible i'm
preston in favor OF the foreign observer, and to
save her from the consequence OF her
previous course, while other and addi-
tional reasons contribute to give GER
tain elevation to her recent treatment of
the question. These it Is possible are the reasons
why the Spaniards have so suddenly determined TO
have some kind OF a settlement as to the presence
the insurgent question. 1t would have been much
more prudent II the authorities. out of regard for
the feeling OF those in the field, had given the
highest officers strict orders to allow correspond
ent to go free his return from the other side to
watch that no such did return; but to attempt to
ignore one after having taken official notice Of him
was the only way of creating embarrassment. 1t
seems that neither exactly observed this pru-
dence. or an unforsee accident caused
1t otherwise. Mr. O'Kelly was taken up in
Manzanillo, it appears, one day after the in
ssrgents had made'an attack there. He had to 60
through personal search, and, 1t Is said, docu-
ments-two letters OF Cepedes, the President OF
the insurgents-were found about his body which,
as they say, compromised him strongly. This lat
ter circumstance would, OF course, place
him in a queer position, and the authorities I'M
doubtedly would consider him nothing but spy.
We don't believe him to have acted thus dis
honorably, and. at the same time, regard
less OF his own safety. The papers found on him
will very likely be nothing but notices
OF observations and de tails given him by the lead
ers OF the insurgents and for that reason no re-
proof OF guilt could he made against him but that
he had acted against the orders of the Captain GEN
eral.
Nevertheless the condition is an ugly one for
him as much as for the Captain General, as the
latter is not entirely free to act, but depends
or less on the sentiment OF the volunteers, to
which, Of course, he does not dare to yield for
fear OF a conflict with the United States. He
seems inclined to put all the responsibility on the
shoulders Of the court martial before which Mr..
O'Kelly ia to be brought with a view to free
himself Of them; but it is OF no avail, for he
could never consent to have severe
punishment carried out should the court
martial happen to innict one on Mr.. O'Kelly.
AS much i'll will might arise against him,
with damage to his own reputation, he must an
ticpate the passion OF the volunteers, or it might
cause bad consequences.
the situation is critical, and It seems to US can
only be cleared up by word from the United
States satisfactory to both parties. They must
protect the jealous reporter if they reprove those
who sent him.
The report that Mr.. O'Kelly had died from ex-
haustion on his way from Manzanillo TO Santiago,
where the court martial was to be held we hope is
not true, otherwise one would think murder had
been committed. If this has not occurred, though,
It might stin. las government In Washington ad-
vising the Consul General to do all In his power,
in company with the English Consul to protect Mr..
O'Kelly and have him tried In Havana, and not to
infilct heavy punishment, for the sO-caled crime
was wise and deserves praise.
Too important q MAN 10 h1u without
Trial.
from the Courier Des Etats Unis, April al
despatch addressed from Key West to the
HERALD gives the information that, following
widely circulated report In that locality, Mr..
O'Kely had died from exhaustion during his trans
fer from Manzanillo to Santiago de Cuba, owing to
the suffering and privation endured while i'm
prisoned In the former place. The HERALD doubts
the truth Of the report to which the correspondent
audes, and we trust IL is SO. The Spanish authori-
ties have too much interest in shielding Mr..
O'Kelly from any mishap until his crimlnality has
been well and authenticity demonstrated not TO
take every care Imaginable OF life to which Is
attached responsibilities OF the highest character.
We're II otherwise the Spanish authorities might be
charged with folly; but II the fact announced were
true 1t would call forth the most severe condem-
nation on the part OF the whole civilized world.
Probable Verdict of the Court Martial.
[From LIE Messenger Franco American, April 14.]
The affair touching OKely, correspondent of the
HERALD In Cuba, threatens to take q serious turn.
To the appeals made to Captain General Ceballos,
in order to obtain his freedom, the latter function
airy has replied that at the time Of his arrest at
Manzanillo, on March 81 Mr. .O'Kely was the bearer
OF two letters from the insurgent chief Cespedes.
The Captain General has added that ''the corre-
spondent OF the HERALD had been warned before,
by the military chiefs at Santiago and by the English
CONSUL Oh the udugeT lie WOulu III He penetrated
within the Cuban lines and II he entered into com.
munication with the insurgents. 1t is, therefore,
the charge of violating the neutrality order that Is
brought against him, as being the bearer OF two
letters from Cespedes." In consequence Mr..
O'Kelly is to be treated as spy. I'm.
medlately after his arrest Mr.. O'Kelly de-
handed to be transferred to Havana for trial; the
Captain General, the contrary, has ordered that
he be taken from Manzanillo to Santiago 1t Is not
certain II this transfer has yet taken place. On
April IL the report was current that Mr. O'Kely
was dead from exhaustion during the journey from
Manzanillo to Santiago; but this rumor has not
been officially confirmed. The council of inquiry
before which the prisoner has appeared had SIM
ply to determine ii there was cause sufficient to
propose to the Captain General to send Mr.. O'Kely
before a council of war, the HERALD correspondent