New-York tribune., 1873-12-27

dreamed of the horrible uses to which the
outside of its walls would be put. They
have been employed for this end it is very likely,
because of the large open space plaza in front of
them. There is room for the people to witness the
brutalizng spectacle and there are always in every
land those for whom an execution makes holiday.
Some of the fine satire which runs through the his
tory of most human affairs even the solemnest. may
be, too, In the fact that in Santiago there is only
thin. low wall between the eIecutioner and butcher,
so thin and low indeed, that in this instance the
world does not distinguish one from the other.
The prisoners of the Virginius were shot on the
outside of the slaugbter-house wall on the right of
the archway bearing the inscription of the good
Gov Vargas. The marks of the bullets are plainly
visible INSIDE the gates as pushed them open
saw few poor cattle standing or lying around with
the lean depressed aspect of all domestic ANIMALS
on this island The dogs and cats h6,e are espe-
cially cadaverous. Many of the beeves it seems to
me, would die of starvation if they were not mus
cular. They must be much harder than those of
the North. On our boat coming from Havana,
whole deck-load of them were made to go four days
without food or water. Upon my expressing sur
prise and disgust to one of the officers of the
steamer, he assured me that they sometimes go
week and longer in the same cruel way The center
of the square lnclosed by the walls OK
the slaughter pen contains a small open building.
Near the walls and some distance from the building
are the pens and shed for the cattle. coarse-aced
fellow was turning hungry into one of the
separate unshaded Enclosures as l took my sealthy
look through the door. The whole place has o
choked, depressing, sun-cursed aspect, and l was
heartily glad TO get away from it. can find no
Trustworthy authority for the reports of the horrible
lnutalities of the sodery and mob. The second lot
,l, nd fhnxr nv
tremely bad marksmen, taking a cruelty long time
TO do their Office, the Cubans say 40 minutes But
find that the statements of the Cubans and Cuban
sympathizers must be sifted as much if not more
than those of the most relentless Spaniards.
This city has been thrown into new excitement
by the arrival of Burel and the prisoners who were
ordered to Havana. it is now believed by the
authority of Gov Morales and not that of the Cap
tain General. The prisoners were taken from here
some time in the night Of the Sd the morning of
the 4th of this month Cuban spies for the Spanish
Government here say that committee of the Span
ish Junta called upon Morales de los Rios-who, as
you know acted as Governor in the absence of Bur
ireland demanded of him that the rest OF the pris
oners be executed. arguing that if it right to
kill the others it right to kill these if it
wrong to kill these il was wrong to kill the Others
and that they tthe Spanish Junta) would not be
sponsible for the ACTS of the Spanish populace if
Their request were not complied with. Then,
say the Cubsns, Morales was also afraid
that the commander of the American ships here
would demand the prisoners and so he sent them
away by stealth. The more trustworthy report
seerns TO be that Morales had a counsel with his
officers and they urged him to send the prisoners to
Havana to get them out of the way. Both parties
agree that Morales acted without the orders of the
Captain General and that the prisoners were met at
Cienfuegos with command to return hither. On
their way between Cenfuegos and Trinidad the
gunboat got aground and lay there two days when
they were brought on here by the regular mailboat,
the Same that brought Burrel and trouble again TO
this city, Morales goes to-day to Havana and it is said
TO Spain. The prisoners were marched up to the
jail again at O'Clock in the morning. The United
States Consul and Commander Brane of the Juniata
were not allowed to them yesterday. From
divers the news comes to us that the prison.
ers have been ordered to be given up; but as yet
they are all here suffering the terrible anxiety which
the uncertainty of their fate must entail upon them
They have already been here three days. The Kan
sas and Juniata (American) and the WOodlark
British are still here with their guns constantly
trained upon the shore batteries. The Englishman
will make an earnest request for the British subjects
among the prisoners when the American commanders
receive instructions to act. They as yet awaiting
orders. The Spaniards working day and night
ut the Notifications of the harbor The rail-
road the very shabby railroad, running from here
to San Luis about "a miles in the country, has been
principally employed ever since the troubles began
in carving barrels and logs TO the city for the pur
poses of fortifcatiOn People are forced to volun-
teer The last French steamer leaving here for ia
Inaica carried away extraordinary number of
fuptives-l12 il is said. 1t is also believed good
authority. that 500 more Cubans would have been
glad TO go on the same steamer If they could have
got passports. The Cubans say that no Cuban hav-
ing money will hereafter be allowed to leave the
island. The Government is actually without funds.
Cnba has to pay all soldiers here, volun-
teers or regulars. The marines have MT
been paid in two months, the land forces have not
received a cent in four months. The past week re-
ouisitions were made upon merchants. An English
house here is said to have been called upon for about
SO coo worth of coffee. The coffee was taken and
when the Englishman complained he told that
the paw for his coffee could be deducted the next
time the firm had duties TO pay. Having duties to
paw the firm was told that the CustOm-house was
separate affair altogether These acquisitions seem
TO have been made quite impartially upon the
fercest Galatians also, and they who have said 80
much about dying for their cause and their honor
are already resolved to suffer more requistions.
Day before yesterday this matter took to itself
an added and surprising atrocity. 1t seems
some of the goods passed into the hands of certain
contractors to whom the Government owes vast
sums OF money. These contractors sold half Of the
stores which they had seized-sold them for less
than they cost their righteous owners, and put the
money into their own pockets. They in turn, were
nut into prison day before yesterday. They are,
however out again to-day.
The editor of the Didrio Redactor, the Republican
newspaper here who was imprisoned by Burriel, is
not vet at large. He is punished for saying after