The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-05-22
A MODERN BAsTnE.
rhe Unknown Horrors of MORO Castle, II
the Harbor of Havana.

the Harbor Of Havana.
From the Boston Herald.
This castle stands at the entrance to
The harbor of Havana; a picturesque,
but gloomy pile, massive masonry lest
ing upon the crest OF q rock which rises
lbout 200 feet perpendicularly out Of
the seas. 1t is the point of a peninsula
which embraces the harbor of Havana,
and makes the latter, when once entered,
as safe as any in the world. Covering
many acres with its walls and dungeons,
the castle is n of the largest and most
formidable fortresses in the world, ur-
passing even Fortress Monroe in it's ex-
tent. The present castle is not so an
Gent as some others on the island, as
the English captured it and blew it mp
100 year. ago compelling the Spaniards
to spend a million or two of dollars in
its re-erection. Modern artillery would
batter down the walls, but would make
no impression upon the eternal rocks,
among whose crevices and ravines the
dungeons of the castle have been placed.
There is no prison in Europe SO secure
from capture, either by exterior or inter
ior attack, for the corridors constitute q
labyrinth, in which it is said the com
mandant himself requires a guide. No
pen will ever record, and no mind can
ever correctly imagine the horrors,
which have taken place within those
walls. The iniquities of the Inauisition
did not surpass them, if the stories that
are told are true. and people say that
the cruelties still continue. The life
of every citizen of Cuba is the property
of the Captain General, to be disposed
of as he chooses, and he has chosen
that many of them be spent within
these castle walls. Nobody knows how
large q number are in confinement; no
body knows who they are, or what they
suffer; all the public ever knows is that
Senior So-and-so has been denounced"
and taken to the castle, and his friends
keep mighty quietlest they may have
to join him there. These Seniors So
and-so seldom, if ever, come back from
the castle, and it is better for his family
and friends not to ask why. The cas-
tie is for political prisoners exclusively,
and when we were owe there guide
told us twas full. He showed us the
place-a little parade ground-where
the executions took place. and the prec-
ipice over which the bodies Of the dead
are cast into the sea; but could give no
clue to the number annually shot, or
the number who die in the dungeons,
and the officers and guards on duty
were quite as uncommunicative, if they
were not as Ignorant. To all inguirers
they have L answer. If you ask them
how many prisoners are confined in the
dungeons, the same reply will be:
"Dios sabe" God knows).
How many ever ONE out alive?"
"Dios sabe."
"Do they eve secure released"
"Dios sabe."
And the words were true. Heaven
and heaven only, knows all that ha!
transpired within these gloomy walls
The officers on guard are changed often
and while they stay it IS their business
to learn as little as possible. When {
prisoner is sent there they lock him NJ
and report tie fact to headquarters
With that their duty and their knowl
edge end. And it is in this way tina:
Cuba is governed. The theory of gov
eminent which Spain has followed since
she assumed control OF the Western
Hemisphere, and by which she has los
all hat she once had, is still in vogue
The Spaniard has learned no lesson b,
experience. He seems obliyious to til
results of tyranny in Mexico and Soutl
America, and has seen o magniticen
empire pass from his hands without re
allzing that murder and cruelty are no
the best modes Of securing peace AM
promoting civilization.