The New York herald., 1873-11-21
THE SANTIAGO SLAUGHTER.

British Captains StOry-Hfs Account
of the Capture of the VirSintus and
the Murder OF Ryan and His Three
Compatriots-Kyan and varona MUIR
dered Standing-Horriblc Brutality OF
the Spnniards.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Nov. 10, 1873.
Great excitement prevails in Kingston over the
capture OF the steamer vrginius, which left this
island with Consular and Custom House clear
ances for Limon Bay, Costa Rca. SO far as is act
ually known in Jamaica, the circumstances and
locality of the Virgnus' surrender not known,
as no kilograms to from this colony to Santiago
relating to this subject have been permitted to
pass out Of the telegraph office there We only
know from q telegram from the Governor of San
tiago addressed to the Spanish Consul in Kingston
that the virginius had been captured on the 31st
Of October, and the 5tn the leaders of the expe-
dition-Ryan, De Sol, Cespedes and varona-were
shot.
EVERY EFFORT TO ELICIT FACTS THROUGH THE
CABLE HAS PROVED ABoRTIvE,
and this heightens the excitement and gives cir
culation to false reports and purely imaginary
stories TO increase the distress OF those who had
the misfortune to have relatives on board the vir-
ginius. There was no concealment made OF the
actual errand of the virginius while she was here
II was notorious. The officers had dancing parties
board, and public meetings were held in honor
Of Cuban independence, at which the consignee OF
the virginius occupied the chair. The steamer
was repaired while in port, and coaled at the ex-
pense OF the Cuban refugees. The virginius first
ATTEMPTED TO EFFECT LANDING ON THE 26TH OF
OCTOBER
three days after she left Kingston) She was
driven OF by the Spanish troops and chased by a
Spanish frigate, but escaped, and reached Port au
Prince on the 27th. While there several OF the
In m ica mi oh m hoar
greatly alarmed after the chase and ran away, but
they were hunted up and dragged from their
places of concealment and delivered over to the
officers OF the vireinius, by whom they were taken
on board again and put in irons and so forced to
90 on this perilous adventure.
ACTION OF THE BRrr,sH CONSUL.
The acting British Consul at santiago Mr.. Rob-
ert Mason, being cut of from all immediate COM
munication with the British Consul General at
Havana, in consequence OF an interruption on the
cable between Santiago and Batabano, Commodore
De Horsey despatched Her Maiestys steamer
Niobe at midnight on the 7th to inquire into mat
ters, aud to advise the Consul, II support was
necessary to request delay in the carrying out or
any hasty sentence that might be passed upon the
Jamaicans who were captured. Up to this moment
nothing has been heard OF the Niobe's arrival and
a rumor gains circulation that in consequence OF
this strange silence the Commodore intends pro-
ceeding there himself to-day.
STATEMENT OF A BRITISH CAPTArN.
Captain Macarthur, OF the British schooner Bril-
liant, which arrived here on the 9th inst, having
lett Santiago de Cuba the evening OF the 5th re-
ports that just before the virginius was captured
varona advised the firing OF the powder magazine
and the consequent blowing up OF the vessel rather
than that they should iall into the hands OF the
Spanards but the captain persuaded and con-
vinccd General varona that, being under the
American nag and In neutral waters they would
not dare touch any man on board. varona and
his brave followers tnereupon became salts
fed, and shortly after an onicer from
the Tornado boarded the Virginius
and demanded her papers. The ofcer, after
inspection, stated that they were correct, but
made all on board prisoners yarona replied that
ne was prisoner because there was not On Eng