The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-10-09
|CUBAu FILIBUSTBRS FREE
United States Prisoners Acquitted and
Cheered in Wilmington, Del:
PUBLIC SENTIMENT MANIFESTED

Turn Out to Honor the Alleged Fill
busters---Cuban Flag Raised and the
Prisoners Publicly Dined--Charge OF
Conspiracy Not Entertained.
The acquittal of the twenty. one alleged
Cuban flibusters in the United States District
Court at Wilmington, DEL, caused an out
burst Of popular approval and enthusiasm,
and the excitement was such as Wilmington
has not seen since the war.
When the verdi,t Of mot guilty" was an
nounced by Charles q. Maull, an ex-mem-
Der Of the General Assembly. who was fore
man Of the jury. the crowd sprang upon the
seats, cheering loudly, and the air seemed
suddenly full Of waving fans, handkerchiefs
and newspapers.
United States Judge Leonard E. Wales,
who presided, made no effort to check this
applause, and after 1t had subsidized he de-
clared all the twenty-one prisoners to be Tree.
They were arrested on August 20, charged
with having organized and set on foot In
the United States military expedition
against the dominion Of the King OF
Spain, and also with conspiracy. The
Judges charge was plain and to the
point. He held that under the law q
military expedition must be Organized
and oficered, or have at least make arrange
ments to organize. The mere shipments OF
arms does not constitute military exped1-
ton; neither do two OK more men going to
fight for foreign country, either as indi-
viduals or In an unorganized body, consti-
tute military expedition under the inten-
lion Of the law.
The charge of conspiracy was not consid-
cred by the Jury for the reason that 1t had
not been proven. The indictments were
brought under section 1884, Revised Statutes
Of the United States. The jury took only
two ballots. The first one resulted In eleven
to one for acquittal. and on the second pal-
lot the entire Jury was for acquittal.
The arms which were captured from the
alleged fllibusters were held to await the ac-
tion of the Government. The officials may
order them conAscated. In that case the
Cubans will bring suit to recover them.
The Cubans will not talk OF their future
plans, but some of them say they Will go to
Cuba as sooa as they can. >,
Their release was celebrated ali over the
CITY. The flag on the City Hall was run up,
and City Treasurer Adams displayed Gu
ban flag. In the evening q parade was held
In which members Of the Young Mems Re-
publican Club, the Young Mems Democratic
Club, the Wilmington Bicycle Club, the
Sons Of American Mechanics and others TOOK
part.
The meeting was enthusiastic in every
way. and the town was full Of flags and fire.
works. While the procession was passing
the City Hall the bell on that building was
rung, regardless Of the feeling OF some peo.
ple that 1t was unwise to do so. Late that
night q dinner was also given the alleged
fllibusters at the Delaware House, and many
American citizens were present as hosts OF
the acquitted Cubans.
The arrest of these men was made on tne
direct order OF Secretary Carlisle. as much
perhaps to test how an American Jury anu
United States Judge would act, as to prove
the "good faith OF this Government main
tanning its treaty obligations with Spain"