Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-11-27
Atrocities OF the Spanish Volunteers


When Napoleon Bonaparte placed
his brother Joseph upon the throne
OF Spain the inhabitants of Cuba re.
fused to recognize him as their
hing, and remained true to the
bourbon dynasty; from that even,
TO the present time there have been
repeated Instructions on the islam d
Until 1887 Cuba enjoyed the same
privileges as Spain. Since that time
The Island has been under martial
law, the Captain General appointed
oy the Government having complete
sway.
In 1868, when the Carlists raised
an resurrection against Isabella, 60.
UOO ofthe insurgents, consisting of
outlaws and communists, were
given the privilege of either being
shot or volunteering" to suppress
the rebellion in Cuba. They con-
sented to the latter alternative. and
were shipped to the Island. When
they arrived there they found them.
selves the strongest power; and.
though these volunteers are avowed
~ making war upon the Cubans, yet
they submit to neither Spanish law
nor authority. In 1869 manager
OF theatre in Havana announced a
benefit for the Cuban cause TO in.
crease his own receipts. A BODY of
volunteers, who were waiting in am.
bush until the the audience were as.
sembled, among whom were MANY
Foreigners fred upon the crow6
Killing several. Next day the CAPS
tain General issued proclamation,
deprecating the outrage and promis-
ing to punish the offe nders but not
one of the guilty were ever punished.
On another occasion when large
humber of Spaniards, Americans and
Europeans were assemb led in a Cafe
the volunteers, who happened to be
passing, and without any iustifica-
ton whatever, fred upon them, kill
ing fifteen persons, including Col
onel OF Spanish regulars, yet there
was no authority upon the island
that dare punish them.
Even the Captain General wac
compelled to adopt the uniform of
the volunteers. Since that submits
sion they have recognized no law or
authority save their own. Three
years ago Gen. Dulace, the Spanish
commander, besought Cespedes for
al interview, and Cespedes sent
Agusto Arrange, one of the insurgent
leaders, to make the arrangements.
Arrange had safe conduct from the
Spanish Government, yet the volun-
teers paid no regard to it, but MUIR
dered him at Puerto Principe. A
young American in Havana. who
put on blue necktie, had bayonet
drived through his body by volun-
teer, because he unconsciously wore
the colors of the Cubans. Over a
year ago a number of students in
Havana were engaged in some coll
lege pastime, when they were caught
by the volunteers and condemned to
be shot.
But the last outrage of those vol.
unteers is that, in which III persons
were taken from under the United
States flag, and shot, despite the or.
der of the Madrid Government. the
protests of the American Consul, and
other foreign Consuls at Havana
These are only occasional instances
of volunteer rule in Cuba. The
Spanish officials content themselves
with collecting the revenues and
and pocketing half the proceeds
while the volunteers are left to
scourge, pillage and massacre whom
they please. Now the question is,
since Spain cannot rule Cuba and
her nominal agents, wantonly per-
petrate the most bloodthirsty OUT
r. ges upon citizens of the United
States, is it not the duty of our
country to interfere, and because the
executive OF justice upon men who
are really the outlaws OF christen-
dom2 Ii is not whether we want
to interfere, but whether we may
not be compelled TO interfere to OBJ
tain the least sembIance Of justice.