The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-12
Official Satisfaction Seen from Be-
hind Prison Bars.
THE NSURRECT|ON FROM A CELL WINDOW.
Curious Glimpses Of Rebel Raids Caught by
The Herald Commissioner.
ESTATES IN FLAMES.
The Cuban Volunteers Appearing
Friendly to the Insurrection.

Letter from the Herald Com m issfOner-
Reflections on Prison Life-The Forger-
spy-The Rebels Burning Estates Near
ManzanillO with Impunity-Desertions
of Cuban Voiunteers-What May be
Seen and Heard I'm q Prison Cell.
FORT GERoNA, Manzanillo, April "a, 1873.
1t appears that the Spanish authorities have not
yet made up their minds as to what they shall do
with me. Yesterday, however, note came from
the British Consul General in Havana to the Vice
Consul here, IN which it is stated that my life is
out Of danger 50 far as the authorities are con-
ccrned.
THE WORD "LIFE'' IS UNDERLINED,
and the writer expresses himself satisfied with
THE statement Of the authorities at the same time
expressing his distinguished disapproval of my
action. For the moment it is not necessary to
more than record these facts; afterwards they
will become subject for examination and discus
sion elsewhere. No one will be astonished that
the HERALD correspondent does not at all share
the Official satisfaction. Fortunately there are
great many reasons why my life should be saved,
and the principal one Is that there is no sufficient
reason to give even the fantest excuse to deprive
me OF 1t; and as am not q student 1T would be
necessary to furnish to the world some justiHca-
ton for my DEATH There is an effort being made
to give immense Importance to some
COMPROMISING PAPERS,"
which were found in my p0cketbook. II any proof
were wanting OF the contemplate spirit in which
the Spanish authorities acting in this business
this circumstance would supply it. Two compli-
mentary letters addressed to Mr.. James Gordon
Bennett, one OF them from Cespedes, and list of
women and children whom the Cubans assert
were murdered in cold blood by the Spanish SOL
diery, constitute ''the compromising papers,"
These are 80 evidently connected with my mission
as newspaper correspondent that only a fool or
knave could pretend to look on them In any other
character. Under these circumstances 1t is not
much to be wondered at that my life Is not in much
danger from the authorities The idea that bel
lgerents have right to shoot or imprison indefi-
nitely neutras who happen to pass over their
military lines Is
SOMEWHAT NOVEL AND STARTLING ASSERTION
OF privilege 1t Is one, however, not likely to be
quietly acquesced in by independent Powers hav-
ing some interest in their citizens although here
and there representatives may be found who think
that so long the extreme resort is avoided that
the affair - perfectly satisfactory. So far the
ton OF the outside world in my favor does not
appear to have worked much good, but, no doubt,
results will eventually be obtained. II is still my
pleasure to enjoy
THE COMPANY OF MY FoRGER FRIEND,
and In truth. there is some doubt in my mind II he
be not the hOnestest companion Fort Corona could
afford me. There are other rooms vacant where
the accommodation is better, well as the air. The
first days there was evidence OF desire inten-
ton to place me in better quarters. but as
NO PROPOSITION OF RECIPROCAL NATURE
was made on my part nothing has been done, and,
so far as am concerned, nothing will be done.
Prison life is very stupid, especially in my case
having good deal to say that would be interest
ing from many points OF view, and not caring to
say 1t while am here. Ihe of my silence is
complex one and not altogether depending on
fear OF my jailers, but rather due to the desire
natural to a free man TO write only under such
conditions will leave his motive for the express
sion OF his opinion free from suspicion. No in
structlon has come from Mr.. Bennett on this sub
ject, and therefore, 1t Is to be presumed that the
choice OF speaking or remaining silent rests with
myself. One thing is certain, that
AN FORCED TO WRITE IN PRISON
the jaers will find little reason to natter them
selves on the score Of wisdom However, this is
just what want to avoid, as you may well judge
My temper is somewhat rufiled by twenty five
days. close confinement, subject to the most an
moving kind OF espionage, and / do not wish any
trace of resentment to appear In what may have
to write. The sentinel at my door into the
room, and he never absents himself for an instant,
night or day. II move his vigilance is aroused,
and should look in his direction there are
TWO INoUIsITIvE AND NOT OVER FRIENDLY EYES
fixed on me- At night light is kept constantly
burning In my CELL and every half hour the sentry
is changed, so that my sleep is constantly broken.
Should the wind blow out the little lamp the corpo-
raj OF the guard Is at once called to light It, and
when for moment leave the room three men
with loaded muskets march at my heels. All this
Ia course ridicuIoua hut IL &c mt tho Iou,
annoying. To judge from the way the authorities
conduct themselves in my regard one might imag
Inc me to be some famous warrior, upon whose
safe custody depended the safety OF Spain. And
this buresque is carried on with all
THE poMPoUs GRAVITY OF THE SPANISH CHARACTER.
The stage effect Is heightened by the fact that the
subordinate actors are entirely in earnest, It
being the firm conviction OF the soldiers guarding
me that am to be disposed OF by four bullets,
hom9opathicay administered.
The atmosphere created around me by this i'm.
preston is rendered still more unpleasant and un-
safe by
THE PRESENCE OF THE INSURGENTS
in the immediate neighborhood OF the town,
Their conduct furnishes constant distraction and
now and then l experience what the French
would call an emotion. From time to
time the dulness OF the hour is relieved by
a sudden outburst OF rifle music, heard in the dis
lance. This Is only an exchange or compliments
between the outposts and for the most part
mas nothing serious in 1t. Still, as there is no
knowing what may be the gravity OF the situation,
anthng like enn,a is quite impossible at such q
moment The enterprises Of the insurgents in this
district by no means confined to bootless skir-
mishing. Since my imprisonment have
SEEN FROM MY CELL WINDOW
the connagration Of four important Estates which
have been reduced to ashes and the slaves and EN-
ployes either scattered or carried oil. In some OF
these cases report states that most OF the armed
volunteers joined the insurgents without any
scruple. Last night one OF the largest estates
in the immediate outskirts OF the town was
destroyed, as well as 0 smaller one little further
or SO far no details have reached me, but as the
a..i4a - a.~..