The New York herald., 1873-11-18


Numbering Human Beings.
HAVANA. Nov. 10. 1873
Further advices have been received from Sant-
ago de Cuba by private correspondence and the
published official dispatches relative to the cap
ture OF the steamer virginius aud summary exc
cution OF great number or the persons who came
on board OF her. The Spanish war steamer Bazan
came in yesterday afternoon, two days from Santi-
ago de Cuba with important dispatches for the
Captain General and is prepared TO leave at a mo-
ment's notice. Further information regarding
the fate OF the expeditionists state that
FIFTY-Two MORE HAVE BEEN EXECUTED.
Joseph Fry the Captain OF the Virginius, and so
OF the crew were shot on the 7th, and on the Sth
lG OF the passengers were shot, 1t Is stated that
among those shot was Don Franchi Alfaro, who
offered $1,000, 900 to his life and further, the
Havana papers state this morning that he came to
take charge of the Presidency OF the Cuban Re-
public. The courts martial. both military and
marine, are still conducting their cases with the
utmost despatch, but apparently the captured are
being
SHOT FIRST AND TRIED AFTERWARDS.
Public opinion has 1t that the Captain General,
some days since, received a telegram from Spain
to suspend all executions, and that this has an
gered him exceedingly. great deal OF telegraph
ing has been going on between the chief authority
OF Cuba and that or Spain. Private letters from
Santiago de Cuba, with dates to the 5th inst,
state the conduct of the United States Consul in
this matter and the published onicial reports.
These give the particulars OF the chase and
capture in detail from which it is learned
that the Tornado, when it first dis
covered the vlrginius was cruising on
parallel OF Is miles distant from the coast OF Cuba
None OF the accounts agree upon the precise dis
tance from Jamaica at the time OF the capture; 1t
has been gwen variously at 23 90 Is, 16 and even
narrowed down 10 six miles. 1t Will, perhaps, be
eventually admitted that the vessel was in British
waters at the time. The Official reports further
bear witness to the efforts OF the virginius to
escape. and the fact OF large leak in her bow,
which retarded her speed, and for which she has
since been grounded at Santiago de Cuba to pre-
vent her sinking.
THE vIRGINIUs WHEN CAPTURED.
The vessel was found at the moment of her cap
ture to be in very confused and disordered cond-
tion-boxes and cases broken open and their con-
tents of arms and ammunition thrown into the sea.
Even when the boarding parties came on board
this operation was actively carried on until
stopped. 1t seemed to be the intention OF the ex-
peditionists to destroy and throw overheard every
thing, rather than allow anything of value to fall
into the hands Of their captors. The immediate
cause of her capture may be stated to be the want
OF proper fuel the leak IN the bow and the bright
moonlight. Great enthusiasm was exhibited in
Santiago de Cuba upon the arrival OF the vessels
on Saturday, the lst OF November.
THE FIRST EXECUTIONS.
The next day court martias convened to
try the prisoners captured the marine court mas
charge OF the trial OF the crew, among whom are
supposed TO be a number OF Cubans. The sentence
OF death passed upon the four principal leaders OF
the expedition and their fate on the morning Of the
4th is already known. Ryan died bravely and
calmly, without nincning and apparently without
regret. Bembeta was calm ana fearless untn the
last moment, when he showed some slight emo
ton. Jesus del Sol and Cespedes completely
broke down at the last moment All four
marched with frmness TO the place OF execu-
ton. The execution took place at the spot
against tue walls OF the slaughter house and In the
usual manner, eyes bandaged and kneeling. IL is
SAID that Bembeta asserted that this expedition
was the last effort fo- Cuba, that II had cos.
heard OF exertions and sacrifices, and that it had
required the prestige OF his name and presence to
SET II anoat; 90 many rumors nave nave oeen current
IT necessary to caution the public against them.
Private letters state tha. an iron safe was found in
the cabin OF the Virginus which had not up to last
accounts. been opened.
ACTING UNITED STATES CONSUL scuMTTT.
Schmltt, the United States Vice Consul at Santiago
de Cuba had been revoked tor his exertons IN this
case. have been favored with view OF private
letters, which set the conduct or this gentleman
throughout the affair In very favorable light, ana
propose to recount his efforts In behalf OF the un-
fortunate prisoners, among whom are large
number ol American citizens. The Governor, Bur-
riel refused to allow the Consul TO transmit a
induiring as 10 the nationality OF the Virginius.
This permission was allowed him. however, on the
evening OF The 4th, alter the execution on the
morning OF that day oil Ryan, Bembeta, Jesus del
sol and CespedeS, and the reply from Kingston on
the 5th was that the Virginius had entered that
port and produced her American papera and en-
tered and cleared at the United States Consulate
as an American vessel. The day previous TO the
execution. that s, on the Sd, Governor Burriel
sent for Pedro Cespedes and had a secret inter-
view OF an hour with him. IL Is said he wished TO
ascertain If some arrangements could not be made
through Cespedes iUr the surrender OF his brother,
the President and other persons but the events OF
the day following proved the incompliabiiity OF the
Cuban patriot.
scHNITT's PRoTEsTs-BURRrELs BULLYING.
The acting United states Vice Consul, LIT. Schmtt,
addressed letter OF remonstrance TO Governor
Burriel Tor not allowing his telegram TO pass, and
not having been officially notified Of the events
relating TO the capture OF an American vessel and
Imprisonment OF her crew and passengers, request
ing permission TO visit them either board or in
the Jail. No notice being taken OF this letter, the
Consul addressed second and third 10 the
Governor demonstrating against being prevented
from performing his duty in the matter, and
claiming for the Americans found on board
all the rights ana PRIVILEGES to which they
were entitled by treaty stipulatioDs, and respect
uy protested IN the name OF the United states OF
America against the action Of the Governor and all
other authorities In the matter. This brought
forth a sharp and angry reJoinder from Governor
Burr1el, IN whlcn ne excuses not having answered
his communications on account OF grave and
peremptory affairs which required all his atten-
tion, and furthermore, the fact OF TWO days being
holidays the lst and %, on which days, says his
not come To their offices, but are piously engaged
In contemplating the divine mysteries OF All Saints
Day and the commemoration OF All Souls Day.
THESE PIOUS EXERCISES
OF the government officials had prevented the
worthy Governor from acknowledging the Con-
sus pressing communications. But all hands, the
Governor Included, were clamoring ior the blood
OF the unfortunate expeditionists ana hurrying up
their mock trials, which took place on the sacred
days the Governor refers TO. The Governor IS not
at all pleased at the zeal OF the Consul, and
tells him TO protest as much as he likes,
but that his officious and suspicious mo.
tives In desiring TO visit the imprisoned
pirates writes the Governor. whom he, the Consul,
styles passengers, make II incumbent on him to
request the government to revoke MS exequatur.
SO soon as Mr. Schmitt received the telegram from
Kingston as TO the American nationality oil the
firginius, he communicated the iact TO the COM
mander OF Marine and Captain OF the Port and the
execution OF the captain, mate nTst engineer aud
three others which had been liked Tor tnat day was
postponed, but has since taken place.
THUAPISG SPANISH LIE.
,Ihe evening previous to Ryan's execution the
vice CONSUL was informed Ryan desired 10 see
MN and notary pubic TO make his last Will.