New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-21

and puhlic meetings were held In honor OF CUban
independence. at which the consignee of the Vir-
pinius occupied the chair. The steamer was re-
nairod while in port and coaed at the expense of
the Cnban refugees. The Virgnius first attempted
70 effect landing on the 2Gth of October three days
after she left kingston. She driven off by the
Spanish troops and chased 10y Spanish irgate. but
escaped, and reached Port-au-Prince on the 9th.
While there several OF the Jamaica mechanics (all
colored on board became greatly alarmed after the
chase and ran away, but they were hunted mp and
dragged from their places Of concealment and de-
hvered to die officers of the Virgnius by W HON
they were taken on board again and put in irons,
and so forced to go on this perilous adventure.
The acting British Consul at Santiago Mr.. Robert
Masonl, being cut Off from all communication with
the British COnsul-General at Havana, in c0nse-
Quence of an interruption the cable between san
tiag0 and BatabaBO, Commodore De Horsey dis
patched II. s NIobe at midnight on the 9Th to in
qure into matters, and advise the Consul If sup
port was necessary TO request delay in the carrying
out OF any hasty sentence that might be passed upon
the JamaiCans who were captured. Up TO this mo-
Is~t nothing has been heard of the Niobes arrival,
and rumor gains circulation that in consequence of
this strange silence the Commodore intends proceed
ing there himself to-day.
Capt. Macarthur of the British schooner Brilliant,
which arrived here the 9th inst, having left San
tiago de Cuba ON the evening OF the 9TH, reports
that just before the Virgnius captured Yarona
advised the firing of the powder magazine and the
consequent blowing up of the vessel, rather than
that they should fall into the hands of the Span
iards but the captain persuaded and convinced Gen.
Varona that. being under the American flag and in
neutral waters. they would not dare touch any man
on board Varona and his brave followers there
upon became satisfied. and shortly afterward an
officer from the III Tornado boarded the Nir-
ginius and demanded her papers. The officer,
after inspection, stated that they were correct,
but made all on board prisoners. NarOna replied
that he was prisoner because there was not an
English or American man-ofwar near to witness
this scandal on the laws of nations He added that
he could have blown up the vessel with all on board,
but he had not done So since her papers were cor
rect and she had not been seized in Cuban waters.
The American flag was, he considered, their protec-
tion and he surrendered, he said, under the proec-
ton of that flag, but believed he would be victim
lied. since the Spanish Government all along hated
him.
Can't Macarthur witnessed the execution of Ryan,
Varona Jesus del Sol, and Pedro Cespedes and gives
the following account: ION the morning Of the 9Th,
they were removed to the place Of execution, about
a mile from the Jail. The four victims were sur
rounded by a strong escort Of Spanish soldiers
Varona and Ryan, calm and collected, marched amid
the wells and vocfeation of the infatuated Spanish
rabbc. Arrived at the place of execution, Cespedes
and Jesus del Sol We're forced to l1necl. in which
positions they were shot in the back. The soldiers
next directed Ryan and Narona to kneel i'll the
same way but they refused, and were
seized and thrown down, handcufled all
the time. The two victims begged their toInentors
to allow them to die standing, and having offered
further resistance. they were murdered standing.
Ryan was not instantly killed. A Spanish officer
stepped forward and thrust his sword through
Rvan,s heart. Varona died easily Then down
came upon the corpses, still warm with life, the
boodthifsry mob, severng the heads from the
bodies, placing them pixies, and marching with
them through the city.
Foreign vessels at Santiago were prevented from
leaving in order TO obsiruct the circulation Of the
news The Spaniards took possession of the tele
graphs and would not allow any person to cOmmu-
nicate through them-even the Foreign COnsuls.
The American Consul on hearing that Ryan to
be shot waited OH tho Governor and demanded his
restoration rs an American citizen but the Cover
nor refused to listcn the ground that the Consul
was not well informed in regard to the matter
The Spaniards informed the C0nsuls that they
were acting on their own responsibility, and did not
even intend to communicate with Madrid.