The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-29

Cuba rushed into my mind, and saw myself
VICTIM TO THE VENGEANCE AND HATRED OF THE
AUTH0RrTIRS
few DAYS before had learned practically what
men mean when they talk OF military law and mill
tary justice and certainly the prospect OF being
tried by military tribunal was not reassurlng. 1t
would be difncult, If not absolutely impossible, to
give anything like an idea OF the feelings OF the
nrst moments In which found myself so suddenly
and unexpectedly before court martial. small.
Wiry man. nervous In expression and movement,
snarp IN feature and evidently possessing more
than the average intelligence OF Spanish officers,
addressed me in Spanish, informing me that he
was the fiscal appointed by the Captain General to
examine me as to the causes OF my arrest,
ana That the other persons present were the
tary and two interpreters appointed TO assist me.
This was repeated for FORMS sake by one OF the in
terpreters, In English. In the meantime l had
leisure to examine the .'court with more atten-
ticn. The fiscal wore the uniform OF a major and
his quick, impatient action and habit OF speaking
as well as his close cropped, iron gray HAIR, gave
him more the appearance OF q Frenchman than or
Spaniard. Neither OF the interpreters spoke Eng
lish very uently, understood 1t very profoundly
although the civilian, whom afterwards learned was
THE ALCALDE OF MANzANILLo,
informed me that he had been seven years In the
United States. This person deserves more than
belongs to that class OF giants who devote their i'm
mense physical strength to the useful employment
OF selling ribbons pins and matters Of that nature.
His whole person conveyed an idea OF the nobility
OF soul naturally associated with his elevated pur
suit. He had been prosperous in life-that was In
evidence-and II things continue In the same road
for many years he may hope one day to
rival the celebrated Daniel Lambert Such is
the advantage OF quiet, II not very
| clear, conscience. Over o fat round face
OF unusual pallor plays constant angelic
smile, typical OF innocence and goodness
Of heart Notwithstanding these personal advan-
tages this good man fell under the Suspicion OF the
authorities as not having been able to resist the
temptation to turn an honest penny by selling sup
plies to the insurgents at good profit His con-
nectons were suspicious, although Old Spain had
| the honor OF giving birth to this prosperous and
| simpering Alcalde Somehow the suspicious never
went TO prosf, and, as Is usual In this changeable
| cline, the suspected rebel OF one day became the
| devoted patriot OF the next. 1t appeared to this
| worthy that my arrest offered easy and safe
| way of exhibiting his devotion to the Spanish
cause, and during my various examinations before
the Fiscal. he on all occasions, endeavored to give
the most unfavorable interpretations to what said
| In order to prove his patriotism As soon as this
smiling parsonage had concluded speaking
Informed the Fiscal that refused to take any
part in the proceedings until my Consul was pres
ent This objection seemed to take them some
what by SURPRISE but 1t was admitted, the Fiscal
| informing me that could not claim the presence
| OF my Consul as right, but that in order to give
me more confidence in the good faith OF the tribu-
nal he would notify the Consul to be present in
the morning. confess that felt relieved when
/ the session came to an end. The impression made
on my mind by the whole proceeding was most I'M
favorable. All the guarantees that we are accus-
toned to look for In a court OF law were absent.
Confined In o fort, surrounded by soldiers, no wit
1 nesses allowed to be present, the refusal OF
liberty Of speech. the semi-gloom OF the room and
the secresy Of the proceedings, all tended to re-
| call memories OF the barDarous ages. 1t would
have been easy imagine oneself before the judges
| OF the Inquisitlon-there was only need to intro
| duce the rack and to change the uniform OF the
soldier for the frock OF the priest. am salts
fed but that there were not more guarantees Tor
the life and liberty Of accused man In the courts
OF the Inqulsiton than afforded by the military
courts martial Of the nineteenth century.
RE-AssRMBLING OF THE SECRET COURT
Next morning the Court assembled early, Mr.
Lauten, the Vice Consul being present. After the
form OF opening the Court l was asked my name
country, age and religion To this series OF ques-
tions replied by asking who were the persons
that made the inquiry. This Information hav-
ing been given asked whether the tribunal was
military or civil in It's character The Fiscal an.
swered that 1t was military. l them In the pres
ence OF the British Vice Consul, refused as
the subject OF an Independent State, to &C
knowledge the Jurisdiction OF military
court. was proceeding to OFFER further
| reasons In short speech which
had sketched out In the morning, when was sud-
| or Inv tha info
was to answer categorcay his questions, and
not to enter into any inconvenient discussions.
He then read for me portion Of some regulation,
| in which he warned me that my conduct would be
| prejudical In case continued to
DENY THE AUTHORITY OF THE COURT.
Notwithstanding this warning Ipersisted In my
REFUSAL and, after q number OF formalities. the
| Court adjourned. One advantage derived from
these legal proceedings was the removal OF
absolute prohibitions to communicate with
! the outer world. Permission given to
renew my wardrobe, which was sadly In need
OF being renewed. In these circumstances have
| to thank Mr.. Lanten, the British Vice Consul for
the prompt and generous way In which he placed
his services and funds at my disposition. With
| clean underclothing came other reforms scarcely
less desirable. My ingenious friend and the rabbits
| were removed, and the air of my cell had become
more purified, or else had become more used to
1t. Since then, however, the telegraphist has been
sent back and tho result is that am not for an
instant, day or night, free from the most minute
supervision.
| NIuHT OF EXCITEMENT.
The night OF my refusal to acknowledge the mill
tary court l was alarmed by the fightful noise
made by the soldiers after went to bed. Truly
the thought came to me that my last hour had
arrived and In order to receive the expected nott-
fcation Of my execution with becoming dignity I
got up and dressed myself The tramp Of soldiers,
the rattle OF grounding arms and the changing OF
swords on the paved court continued Tor long
time, during which suffered the most terrible sus.
pense. No reply had come to my kilograms or let
tiers, though five days had passed, and
| 4 feit assured that AZ the news OF NV arrest