The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-07

that they could see WltuOut oolng secns
On the evening Of the 2sth Of last month hr.
OKely and I arrived in Havana While ne wens
to the once Of the Chief OF Stan. in the Captain
General,s paace. | set out to ind Mr.. Leopold
Price, the HERALD's regular correspondents In tnis
city Great was my ast0nishment to learn that
HR, TOO WAS PRISONER
In solitary confinement for the past four or nve
days. Mr.. Springer, OF the United States Con-
sulate General went with me, and impaired tno
particulars OF the arrest to Mr.. O'Kelly Herel
took hnal leave OF my colleague intending 20
start by the frst steamer for New York.
The next morning ascertained that Mr.. O'Keny
was suddenly again placed in solitary confinement
and that MIR. Price continued in the same state.
Under these circumstances l could do absolutely
nothing for either prisoner; not even Consul
General Torbert could see them. In the evening.
ascertaining that Mr.. Prices deposition having
been taken. he was allowed to see his friends, His
family were going to see him the next morning
and determined to go Also
FORT CABANAs
The morning following, at seven O'Clock, jumped
into boat and was transported across the harbOr
to the foot Of Fort Cabanas, where Price and
O'Kelly were both confined It is strong fortress
built on bluG on the north aide OF the harbor,
commanding and projecting the city OF Havana.
Like the other Spanish works on the island, it is Of
very old standing. wretchedly out OF order and
totally unfit to offer any formidable resistance to
modern artillery did not see any guns mounted
either the casemate or barbette batteries within
view. !,
After vending for some time through chasms
OF strong masonry and yawning gateways was
stopped DY sentinel, who demanded my business.
Upon seeing the officer OF the guard he said that
MR.. PRICE GOULD BE SEEN, BUT NOT MIR. O'KELLY.
They were in that part OF the fort which is used as
military prison, near the main guard, in the body
OF the place. 80 1T .s.~es..sA
MR.. PRICES CELL
is bomb proof about thirty feet long BY eighteen
feet WIDE arched overhead and closed in the rear;
while In the front it looks across q dreary court
yard at q similar cell, or At an unpleasant looking
stone wall Els habitation rejoices in the posses
sion OF two large iron-barred, unglazed windows.
with an awfuly forbidding looking door between
them. The floor OF the cell is hard, though not
quite dry. A thriving colony Of rats. assisted by
p0pulous nest of c0ckr0aches, have succeeded in
beguiling the wakefu hours Of Mr.. Price, in man
ner hardly to be appreciated. The omnipresent
cot bed, few chairs, small table and some books
ornamented this cheerful dwelling
A FAMILY MEETING.
1t was sad and touching sight to see the frank,
honest face of Mr. Price, the very image
of resigned and suffering innocence, turn
towards me from the midst OF his amiable
and suffering family, extending the hand Of
good fellowship ana welcome to his solitary cell.
WHO CAUSED THE ARREST :
All that could learn touching Mr. Prices arrest
was that the military prosecutor conducting Mr..
O'Kelly's case had caused it, No reason was given
to justify the proceeding but from the nature OF
the questions asked the prisoner IN giving his
declaration. it appeared to be to find out the ma
tof l1tc udonnn MI r.
O'Kelly; II they used key or cipher, and II any
UNDERGROUND MESSAGES
were habituaIIy forwarded to the HERALD. These.
briefly are the questions, so far as know, to re-
solve which Price Illegally thrown into prison.
Mr.. Price bore his Imprisonment with fertitude
and manliness but was evidently much pressed BY
the weight OF his misfortune. Mrs. Price, two fine
little fellows her sons, and her sisters were greatly
afflicted because OF the temporary suferings Of Mr.
Price, but consoled themselves with the idea that
his imprisonment would last only for few days
longer.
SPANISH MEANNEs5 AND CRUELTY.
Twas grieved to learn from Mr.. Price that the
night before last Mr.. O'Kelly mad slept on the
rough, damp ground Of his cell floor, not having q
bed but that last night an officer had been induced
FOR A CONSIDERATION
to let him have The officer also told Mr.. Price
that Mr.. O'Kelly was confined in horrible
cell, without any door save the wet ground,
and that il kept there many days it would be the
death of him. This will convey the contemplate
vengeance which Spanish O11cer can take and
how he can turn dishonest penny without shame.
Knowing that could do nothing myself and could
not prudently venture to see the authorities, inn
mediatey went to the British Consulate and re-
lated the whole story OF Mr. O'Kelly's present sui.
ferngs to Mr.. Crawford, who is acting in place Of
Mr. Dunlop.
THE ACTING BRITISH CONSUL GENERAL
appeared neither to have sympathy nor pity for
the prisoner. He said
'Mr O'Kelly put his nose in the business; not
only so, but his whole FACET
To this unfeeling remark was too indignant to
reply. Crawford deliberately said that he
WOULD NOT MOVE HAND OR FOOT
excepting to save Mr.. O'Kellys life because the
imprudent and inconsiderate course observed by
him in the island had brought about all the dini-
culties with the authorities; that foreigners had
no right TO expect one law for them and another
for the people of the country
A VERY PRo-sPANIsH OFFICIAL.
In coming TO Cuba people must abide by the laws
aud not try twist them to the suitng OF individ-
uals If the authorities threw their own people
into prison any length OF time without specifying
charges, foreigners were liable to the same treat
ment demurred to this proposition, but that
did not signify to Crawford.
.By the way said Consul Crawford, .syou were
lucky; you had narrow escape; how did YOU
manage to get out OF prison speedily2''
THAT said |, you must inquire Of the Captain
General; tor can only tell you that after my dep0-
siton, which was taken in presence of the United
States Vice Consular Agent, Mr.. Lauton, l was
released"
Crawford admitted that he was advised by letter
from Mr.. Vice Consul Ramsden OF Mr. O'Kelly's
coming to Havana; that the letter had reached
him before ten O'Clock on the morning Of the 2eth-
the arrival being the night OF the 25th-but that
no steps whatever had been taken in favor Of the
prisoner. He mumbled out that If Mr.. Ramsden
had telegraphed in time something might have
been done. He would now write to the proper
authority, and try to get admission to see Mr..
0'Kelly.
Upon returning to my hotel l found message,
from Major Fernandez. desiring me to go to his
quarters and receive O'Kelly's baggage Until
that moment Thought that his things being in the
hands OF the government had, OF course, been
given to him for use in his CELL Reaching the
MAJORS quarters found that he had gone out and