The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-03-31
TWAS A PITIFUL SIGHT
To See the Prisoners With Arms Pinioned
and the Mob Shouting far Their Blood.
SPANISH TREATMENT OF OUR CITIZENS
The Troops Opened Fire on the Dwell
ling House mud which WAS Immc-
diatciy Invaded Dy soldiers Who
Rnnsackcd II, Carrying OFT Every
thing ofvnIue.-Bc COurtmRrtInlcd.

Havana. March 30, via Tampa, March
30.-Here is the story of the three
brothers Farrar, all American citizens
and joint owners of the coffee plantation
'Estrela" in Havana Province. near AL
quiZar. II does not differ greatly from
the experiences Of many other owners
OF estates in the interior. but as these
men happen to be Americans and have
made sworn statements protesting
against the cXcesses committed by Span
ish troops and demanding damages, the
affair has become one of official record
and cannot be brushed away with
general denial. The papers are now In
the hands of Consul-General Williams,
and Miguel Farrar, one of the brothers,
has furnished me with n copy Of his
statement. Ii is as follows:
On Saturday, March 21st. the dwelling
house of the coffee plantation Estrella
was the object of wanton attack by the
column of General Bernat operating in
that region. The said building received
cannon shots of grape and canister.
breaking the door, one window, several
piazza columns and greatly endangeTing
the lives of the families Of my brothers.
Don Tasio and Don Luis Farrar, both
American citizens, the wife of the form
er being Enciente. There We're two
small children in the house. From my
information 1t appears that the troops
mentioned had sustained fire with Eebel
band in PaZ plantations. quarter lea
que from lIstrella. The rebels having
fled towards Pedroso and 3uena Esper-
anza plantations the government troops
advanced toward Estrclla. in quite an
opposite direction from that taken by
the rebe,s.
on arriving at the borders of Estrella
plantation, the Spanish columns began
firing cannon at the dwelling house,
and which was Immediately invaded by
.I,N ,,ts.., DrTXF inc off
from wardrobcs all jewelry and mems
clcthing which they contained. aS well
as a sum of about SG1 IL money. They
also took away everything found in
workmen's dwellings. arresting a the
same time twelve OF the occupants.
whom they conducted to Alqulz2ar as in
surgents. 1t ehould be observed that
the clnn2ns We're fired solely at the
dwelling house of the owners although
there We're twenty OtAer buildings on the
plantation, and the place was entirely
clear of Insurgents.
In consideration of all the above and
particularly on account of the danger
o. which his relations We're exposed, and
also for the unjustiiilble loo..ng on the
part of the troops. the undersigned does
most solemnly protest and asks an i'm
mediate indemnity for the damages ef-
fectcd which he values at S., 900. as all
work has been stopped OH the plantation
and everything abandoned.
The Spanish official account of what
occurred on the Estrclap lantat!on is
"a follows:
"The column OF General Bernat found
several bands Of rebels VIII mad. them
selves :, tonE in the houses OF the coffee
plantation lis,rella, where they were
beaten and 10y artillery shots and caval-
fH charges the enemy was driven from
his position. Twelve prisoners were cap
iured' besides arms. ammunition and in
Stfnmemis 10 destroy railroad tracks
1t IS believed by the trails cf blood seen
in the place that the rebels had many
dead and wounded. All the prisoners
will be summarly court martialed
On "Wednesday the twenty prisoners
taken from around Artemesia arrived in
Havana. on being escorted through
Obispo street to the palace they weyn
followed by constantly Increasing mon
who shout Viva Espana" and death
to the rebels
The men were knocked beaten and
one had his head cut open by flying
missile. 1t was pitjful sight to see the
poor wretches with arms pinoned and
the mob at their heels shouting for
their blood
General Ahumada. the second chief of
the Government. came out and ordered
the guards to disperse the mob General
Weyler had had several interviews with
Jose Maraga!ves and other leaders of
lne Autonon'3sl party lie asked If IL
was true that the party intended remain
Ing away from the polls in the coming
campaign. General Weyler then said ::
"lf you do not take part in the cleo
tions 1t will be because you are enemies
of Spain, but have not sufficient valor
to go to the field / will guarantee your
party ten deputies and in case you do
not take part in the elections / shall
treat you as | treat otner enemies"
In all probability the AutonomiSts will
60 to the polls. The Reformists stll
say they will not take part In the elec-
tions.