Connecticut western news., 1873-12-05
The .Virginius Massacre.
What mn Eve Witness Says of the Afr

What an Eye Witness Says of the Affair.
 Captain McArthur, of the British schooner Brilliant, which left Santiago de Cuba on the evening of the 9th, re- ports that just before the Virginius was captured Varona advised the firing of the powder magazine and the conse- quent blowing up of the vessel rather than that they should fall into the hands of the Spaniards; but the captain per suaded and convinced General 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 thereupon became satisfied, and shortly after an officer from the Tornado boarded the Virgin jus and demanded her papers. The officer, after inspection, stated that they were correct, but made all on board prisoners Varona replied that he was prisoner because there was not an English or American man. -of-war near to witness this scandal on the law 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 correct and she had not been seized in Cuban waters. The American flag was, he considered, their protec- tion, and he surrendered under the pro- lection of that flag, but believed he would be victimized, since the Spanish government all along hated him.
 Captain McArthur witnessed the exe- cution of Ryan, Varona, Jesus del Sol and Pedro Cespedes, and gives the fol- lowing account:-
 On the morning of the 9th they were removed to the place of execution, about mile from the jail. The four victims were surrounded by strong escort of Spanish soldiers. Varona and Ryan, calm and collected, marched amid the yells and vociferations of the infuriated Spanish rabble. Arrived at the place of execution, they forced Cespedes and Jesus del Sol to kneel, in which posi- tion they were shot in the back. Then the soldiers directed Ryan and Varona to kneel in the same way, but they re- fused and were seized and thrown down, handcuffed all the time. The two vic tims begged their tormentors 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 Ryan's heart. Varona died easily. Then down came upon the corpses, still warm with life, the blood-thirsty mob, severing the heads from the bodies, placing them on bikes and afterwards marching with them through the city.
 Fifteen officers of the Spanish Army who had been prisoners on the battle field by Varona, were present when he landed, and they went to the Governor of the city and begged his life should be spared, since he had given them theirs. Of course this was refused.
 Foreign vessels at Santiago were pre- vented leaving in order to prevent cir culation of the news. The Spaniards took possession of the telegraph, and would not allow any person to commu- nicate through them-even the foreign consuls. The American Consul, on hearing that Ryan was to be shot, waited on the Governor and demanded his res toration as an American citizen, but the Governor refused to listen, on the ground that the Consul was not well informed in regard to the matter.
 The Spaniards informed the consuls that they were acting on their own re- sponsibility, and did not even intend communicating with Madrid.
 Among the Cuban captives was son of General Quesada, aged sixteen, and two other boys, twelve and fifteen years old. There were also twelve Jamaicans on board the Virginius, two of whom were boys of fourteen years.