Morning journal and courier., 1891-09-01
PRISONERS IN PERIL.

An Attempt to, Renoye Several From the American Steamer City Of Pan.
 ama-How They Incurred the Dfs-
 pleasure of Presfdent Kzota Of Sal-
 yndor fisss ~ 4{sSUEB lfaI
 Copyrighted by the westerfo Associated Press. I
 SAN JOSE de Guatemala, Aug. 1s.-The
 attempt to remove political prisoners from
 the American steamer City of Panama at
 the port of La Libertad, republic of Salva-
 dor, ten days ago bore some resemblance
 to the Barrundia affair, and the result
 might have been the same had it not been
 for the prompt and decisive action of the
 officers of the steamship. The. City of
 Panama, which runs between Panama and
 Acapulco, Mex, stopped at Corinto, Mica
 ragua, August 5, on her regular north
 bound trip, and among the passengers
 whom she took on there were Patrick
 Brennan, an American citizen residing in
 Salvador. and four natives, all former
 officers of the government These men
 had incurred the displeasure of President
 Ezeta and were regarded by him as rev
 olutionists. When the steamer reached La Libertad on August she was board ed by officers, acting under the direction of President Ezeta, who demanded of Captain White the surrender of Brennan and his four companions Captain White refused to comply with this demand, and the officers reported to the commsndant of the port. Heimmediately went to the steam CT with boatload of armed men and in formed Captain White that he had come to take possession of the steamer and to arrest the men. Captain White told the commapdant that if he did not leave the steamer immediately he would throw him overheard. The commandant withdrew from the steamer without any. further discussion. A ashert time before the steamer sailed from La Libertad Cap tain White was informed. that President Ezeta had gone with a large armed force to Acajutls, the next port in Salvador at which the steamer was to stop,. to take off the refugees at all hazards. Captain White accordingly determined not to go to Acajutla but proceeded directly to San Jose de Guatemala, arriving August II. Captain White and MT. Brennan went at the facts of the case before United States Minister Facheco. The men whom Presi- dent Ezeta desired to capture are now on Guatemalan territory and Ezets has re- quested the authorities of Guatemala to them.
 Brennan has resided in Salvador for sometime and is a railroad contractor. He is said to be a man of means and of some prominence. During the late war with Guatemala his business operations were in terrupted and it is said that at Ezeta's re- quest he accepted @ commission in the army of Salvador, enlisted his railroad em- ployes in the service and was instrumental in winning one or more battles. At the close of the war he retired from the mili- tary service and then 8 revolution was threatened in Salvatore some time later. It is said that Ezeta again desired Brennan to enter his service and enlist his railroad employees. Brennan declined to do so, and it is sup posed that in this way he incurred Ezeta's The four Salvadoreans whom Ezeta wished to seize were Don Ayols, who claims to have been legally elected presi- dent of Salvador, but who has been de- prived of office; General l.. Letons, who was cor.Insnder-in-chie of the army in 1885, but who has been in exile for the past five years; General Hernandez, a wealthy exile; Colonel Rivas of the Salvs- korean army, nephew of General Rivas, who was executed by Ezets's orders for the part which he took in the last insur raotion