The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-30
A SPANISH OUTRAGE.

HOSTILE DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE ENG
LIsH MAIL STEAMER Elder IN THE HARBoR
OF PUERTO RICo-A PASSENGER TAKEN OFF
BY FoRcE-PRoTEsT OF THE CAPTAIN
PROBABLE eRowL FROM THE BRITISH LION.
ST. THOMAS, July 49, 1875.
The following statement by an eve witness VIII
furnish you with the details OF an outrage per-
petrated by the Spanish authorities at Puerto
Rico upon the steamship Elder, belonging to the
British Royal Mail line, IN taking of
passenger, named Luis Venegas, by force,
In despite of the protest OF the captain. II
is reported here that Venegas has been shot. A
number OF rumors are aloat concerning his
offence. The most creditable one is that he was
an officer in the spanish army and held posi-
ton or trust. He aosconded with the public funds
and the Spanish authorities demanded him on the
plea OF his being thief and deserter. Other re-
ports say he was merely a political offender. He
arrived here from Puerto Rico some time since and
subsequently took passage Tor st. Domingo as
agent OF mercantile firm, and it was While re-
turning hlther that his capture took place. The
statement which follows is by an acquaIp lance
and friend of the unfortunate man.
STATEMENT OF A PASSENGER.
In consequence OF false report which has been
current In Puerto Rico that an expedition 70 in
yade tnat isiand was IA prepaaatlon at PuerIo
peron and Betanees, The people there have been
on the QuG OtUe Tor some time past and the
Spanish authorities Rave taken measures 10
LOOK alter the steamers and passengers
which proceed from the latter island. on
the arrival OF the English royal mail
steamer Elder at Aquadtlla they presented
themselves aboard IN large numbers. searching
Tor the names or the passengers IN t-6RSttlL The
name or Luis Venegas attracted their attention;
and, alter some time, they demanded the sur
render or the young man as u common thief This
the captain peremp torlly denied, and immedl-
ately the telegraph was set TO work transmitting
ar alarm TO all the ports where we were to touch,
he IT w = RE-
fused. In the other minor ports OF the island the
same thing occurred, alcaldes citizens, municipal
officers and volunteers coming on board, ana
using the most violent and
THREATENING LANGUAGE.
Poor Luis comprehended the situation ana the
audacity Of the SpaDtards and was certain or
the u Inmate result. On arriving at the capital
we were visited, as had become the custom, and
again formal demand was made Tor the surren-
der ofLus Venegas The captain refused, where
upon the Spanards Degan to make q show of
IoTce' Ine gunboat III Lnce TOOK position IN
the crew armed with rifles and her gun in posi-
ton. A commissaire then came on board and
iterated the demand. The captain replied that
voluntarily he would not surrender Venegas but
as not prepared to resist force under the
circumstances be would
SURRENDER THE PASSENGER,
but not without protest. According to the reg
uiations OF the company IL was necessary to DIS
embark all the passengers in order to make use
OF the right OF protest. The Spaniards. In ord-r
to AVOID the responsibility, counseIed Luis that.
order 70 prevent a,confIct, ne should declare
that he had voluntarily given himself up This he
given up under the treaty Tor the rendition of
criminals. The captain finally declared that he
Yielded TO FORCE and protested against 1 he act.
This cousummated, the commander OF the Llnce
informed US that we were free, and we proceeded
on our voyage.
1t Is believed mere that England Will send
squadron, at least number OF vessels, to
Puerto Rico.