The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-07

Mr.. James ). y nelly, our sPecioi oolA
missieaer in Cuba, has been arrested, as Will
be seen BY despatch from our Havana cor
respondent, published in another part of the
paper, by the Spanish authorities. This
seems to have occurred at or near Manzanillo,
one Of the cities and seaport of the island,
in the Eastern Department The despatch
is dated five p. M. of the 4th, and was
sent Immediately after an interview with
Captain General Ceballos. The partic-
ulars of the arrest or the specific
charge against Mr.. O'Kelly we are
ignorant Of The Captain General was pro-
vokingly reticent, and said, in fact, that he
had only just been informed Of the arrest and
that he knew nothing further in relation
thereto. He added, however, that Mr..
OKelly had come into Manzanillo from the
instruction, and that court of inquiry was
being held in that city with regard to the case.
We can hardly suppose this is all the Captain
General knew. 1t is not probable that
court of inquiry would be held without refer
ring to General Ceballos and receiving instruc-
tions from him. Then it did otlook well that
the Captain General appeared determined to
keep our Havana correspondent in suspense
about the matter. There was q rumor, it
hot 70 oft ho N1ho
rection were found on Mr.. O'Kelly. The
despatch does not say documents of or from
the insurgents, but of the instruction. 1t is
possible he might have had notes, or, if the
Spanish authorities please, documents of the
instruction, for he went out to Cuba ex-
pressly to note everything pertaining to the
war and to report the same to the HERALD.
And that until we know to the contrary, we
feel assured would be his only offence, and
for that the Spanish authorities would not be
justified in arresting him.
outrage we reproduce the despatch of our
Havana correspondent of March 4, giving an
account of his interview with the Captain
General relative to Mr.. O'Kellys progress in
the island General Ceballos pretended to
believe Mr.. Kelly was hidden away at San
tiago de Cuba, in the Eastern Department.
When assured by our correspondent that Mr..
OKelly was with the insurgents the
Captain General became exasperated. He
wanted to know, he said, ''what or
who the New YORK HERALD and it's correspond
Cuba" and then declared that he would have
OKelly tried by drumhead court martial
and shot as spy if he returned from within
the insurgent lines. Afterwards, however, he
appeared to be more mild, and said he would
give orders to have O'Kelly expelled from the
island Immediately upon his coming within
the Spanish lines, adding that this latter
punishment, expulsion, would be the mildest
possible under the circumstances.
We hope the sober second thought of Cen
eral Ceballos on the present occasion of our
commissioners arrest, will take possession of
His Excellency's mind, as it did when he sub
sided from the court martial and shooting
declaration to expulsion from Cuba. That
will be so if General Ceballos is man of
sense, discretion and humanity. In short, if
he be gentleman not hair Of the head of
our correspondent will be touched. And
here it is proper to say that we and the
civilized world will hold him responsible for
the fate of Mr.. O'Kelly, because he is the SUI
preme Spanish authority in the island of Cuba,
and no court martial or other power would
venture to injure Mr.. O'Kelly without his con-
sent He was, according to his own statement,
Immediately informed of the arrest of our
commissioner and that court of inquiry was
to investigate the case. This shows that he
was consulted and had control in the matter.
1t is certain, therefore, that if any harm
should come to Mr.. O Kelly the Captain Gen.
eral will be responsible. The position of our
Commissioner is too conspicuous to admit of
any plea that the blood-thirsty volunteers or
small Spanish officials dare to sacrifice him
without the approval of General Ceballos.
Nor can we believe the Captain General would
injure Mr.. O'Kelly without consulting the
Spanish government. We shall hold, and
and the Spanish government responsible for
the fate of our commissioner.