The morning times., 1896-02-10

Leaders.
New York, Feb. 9.-Adriano Megias,
late a lieutenant OF the Spanish army, who
recently deserted from the forces in Cuba,
has arrived in New York. de says that he
was treated SO cruelty by his superior Off
GERS that he is ready TO join the next ex-
pedition of patriots 10 Cuba and fight the
men who were until recently his comrades
ln arms. He gave the subjoined account
yesterday OF his experiences:
For eight years 1 was attached to the
Spanish navy, bat in 1883 went 10 Cuba
60 Join the Spanish forces on the island.
A. the beginning of the present revolution
j was assigned 60 the Command OF three
plantations Diana, the Por Fuerza,
and the La Paz, in the province of Matanzas.
NY quarters were on the Diana plantation,
which is five miles from the town Of Corral
False, and is owned by Juan So!er, Count
of Diana, ard cul0nel OF the Spanish
Volunteers. a son of the count is mem
Der OF Gen. Gcmez's staff. Ny forces in
cluded a orporal, a sergeant, and eighteen
men OF the Diana and twenty men from each
OF The other plantations.
WAS oUTNUMBERED.
ION December "a one of our sentries
gave an alarm that a large troop OF cavalry
was approaching. / at cnce formed my
men in a guerrilla Ifne.' determined TO
stand my ground at all hazards: My men,
however. requested me not 10 fight, reaiiz-
ing that il was impossible TO cope with
such a large body of advancing soldiers.
They proved TO be a detachment of the
invading rebel army. led by Generals
Maxine Gomez. Antonio Maceo. Brigadier
Jose Miro, Lieutenant Colonel Cayito Al
&arez. and Colonel Antonio Nunez, who
were at the head Of about - 600 men, both
cavalry and infantry. mostly whites. They
Were wen armed with Mausers and Rem
inetons.
Il hurried TO one of the houses on the
plantation with my twenty men to ce-
eide upon plan of action. White we were
there the superintendent informed me that
Colonel Nunez and Lieutenant Colonel Al
varez wished 10 speak TO me. 1 met
them. and they showed me two dynamite
bombs with which they said they were
ready to destroy everything in sight if
persisted on fighting. but said that If
@e would surrender no harm would come
90 us. and no damage TO property would
b. done. More tkan a thousand men. wo-
iren and weeping children beseeched me
20 surrender and so avoid the inevitable
slaughter.
AEGIAs sURRENDERS.
Realizing that it would be foolhardy for
me 10 try TO resist l 2 .O0o soldiers with my
FmalI band. ] surrendered myself ana men,
together with 500 rounds of ammunition
and al equipments. Out of courtesy
was permitted to keep my revolver and
sword, and was offered 4 position in the
Cu1aa army with the rank of major. This
refused. Brigadler Miro gave me pass
which would permit me to go through the
Cuban armys lines.
several OF the soldiers Joined the rebels.
fearing the cruel punishment which the
Spanish officers would inflict upon them,
however impossible il might have been for
them 10 avoid surrender.
Il cannot say too much in praise OF the
treatment / received at the hands OF Gen
pral Maxine Gomez. When / was taken
before him was received politely. He
Isled me many question about myself, and
Ehen he learned that had a family in
Corral False he offered to send my wife
Duney: but refused. Had been a Cuban
Icldier, brought before Spanish general,
would undoubtedly have been shot at
gnce.
The insurgents are not fighting the
Spanish soldiers, but a corrupt govern
nent.
Gomez is anything but consumptive
He IS the picture OF health. His staff con
sists Of hundred men. among them being
many Spaniaras. An ride fine horses and
carry a large Cuban flag. The Cuban army
has two feed pieces. The army urder
Gomez was three hours and n haIf in
marching past the Diana plantation. which
Flows the large number OF men be has
with him. They carried fourteen wourded
men on Stretchers.
ORDERED TO BE SHOT.
After the insurgents had left the planta.
tion, about O'Clock in the afternoon OF
December "A. the Spanish column. under
Gen. Garcia Navarro, came up. Upon
leaTning that / had surrendered to the
rcl'els and was sta on the plantation, Gen
Navarro ordered that I be arrested and
shot. 1 succeeded in escaping. and for three
days lid in a cane field, having nothing
For food but the juice of the half.burned
sugar cane. Those of my soldiers who did
not join Gen. Gomez were made prison
rrs by Gen. Navarro and sent to NataD.
zas, where they are stiH prisoners in tho
castle OF San Severino.
After The troops had gone away ! left
my hiding place. ard. although weak from
hunger aud thirst. L secured horse. and
without saddle coat or vest, made my
way to LemoBar.
Then l slowed away in freight trair
going TO Matanzas. There / went to iht
house OF a Cuban friend, who in few
days secured for me employment on q
tramn steamer going 10 Nov Ye,rl, ;,