The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-07
WORRO REEKING WITH MISERY.
THE CUBAN FORTRESS ONE VAST
CHAMBER OF HORRORS.

DumGeOme-40Ant VI Sleeping
IN HammocIs Swung From the
Ceiling and Others Going to a Liv-
ing Death Sleeping on It's Damp
Floors.
Havana, April 4. via Tampa, Fla, April
s-Two hundred and twelve men are con-
fined in two cells of MORO Castle. They
are political prisoners, or suspects
awaiting trial. Some have been there
week some a month, some a year. Two
are American citizens. one is a British
sebiect There is a boy Il years, born
In spain, and not long enough in this
country TO dream of rebelling against
the government. There are men bowed in
Years young men, merchants, profess
sonal men. clerks and farm laborers,
all gathered in and thrown together with
little or no evidence of having aided or
taken part in the insurrection.
The Cabanas fortress close by, and in
prisons all over the island, are other
unfortunates-2,OO 5000, perhaps 1900, al
together, for no man may know how many
people Spain has behind the bars at this
time in Cuba, but of the 212 in the Moro.
In times of war foreigners, newspaper
correspondents and tourists are supposed
to be shut out of Spanish prisons, but
relatives and friends are admitted to Nor
70 Castle, Sundays and Wednesdays. on
one Of these days recently a visitor cross
ed the rowboat ferry from Havana to the
landing between Cabanas and the MORO,
walked up the pebble paved approach to
the latter, and passed within the old
.battlements. Spanish solders\to the num-
Der Of 200 lounged around the entrance
and court yard. About half of them were
on duty. In the center of the court some
80 or 90 visitors were grouped in front of
the two principal cells Guards kept an
open space ten feet wide between the Wis
itors and the barred doors and windows
OF the cells. Bundles of clothing and food
We're opened and searched by the guards
before Deing passed TO the prisoners. Con-
versatiOn between those behind the bars
ana those without had to be carried on in
loud voice. Wives spoke encourage
meut 10 husbands, and mothers to sons,
anu told OF efforts being made to obtain
release.
Each cell is about twenty feet wide and
nearly 100 feet deep. They are or stone,
arched above and are more like subterra-
mean tunnels than rooms for human be-
lngs. The only openings are at the ends
4hey are IN the lower part or bu1ldlng
within the outer walls and having the ap-
pearance of being intended for storing sup
plies. They are damp and filthy, and are
said to be infested with vermin. Nothing in
the shape of chairs, benches or beds are
provided. There are, however, hooks for
htty hammocks in each room. Friends of
the prisoners supply the hammocks; but
as there are los men in one room and 104
ia. the other over half the number are
compelled to sleep on the stone floor.
" ater is furnished twice day in square
cans which once contained kerosene oil
regular army rations are served. The
sanitary arrangements are vile. Many men
are taken from these cells to the hospital
before the slow moving authorities see mt
TO try their cases or admit that they have
no case.
One of the prisoners is Lopez Coma, who
left Matanzas in the early days of the re-
belliOn. Like Juan GualbertO, who died in
Ceuta prison, Coloma presented himself,
when Captain General Caliia issued his
prOclama tion granting amnesty to all in
surgents who surrendered. He has been
in prison over year, has neither been de-
ported, nor given a trial, and stands
good chance of dying in prison.
Another of the prisoners is Ladislao
QuinterO, an American citizen, one of the
taken prisoner in his own house and shot
IN the arm after capture. He never took
part in the inSurrection. His wife filed
statement of his case with the American
consul six weeks ago.
Another prisoner is Manuel Francisco
Aguero. He claims to be an American
citizen, and though he was arrested in
July 1888, the American consul said he
had never heard of the case until L laid
1t before him. Aguero is a general agent
or manager of a travelling circus is near
ly CD years old, has only one arm and
there are only three fingers on his re-
naming hand. He speaks fair English,
ana says he has visited the United States
yearly TO obtain features for his circus
and lived there at one time five years,
WAen he took out citizenship papers. He
says that he has taken no part in the
present war and was arrested in Guerra,
havana province, July of last year. He
states that his citizenship papers were
left with A. Pelletria, acting vice con-
SUI at Sagua during the absence of the
consul Daniel Mullin. He says he cam
not get his papers back from Sagua, as
Alr. Pelletria and Mr.. Mullin are no long
ef there. Consul General Williams has
agreed to write to Sagua to learn If
A4Serro is registered as an American citi-
There is a British subject in the Morro.
Who has been there about four months,
but, as he is informed that steps have
been taken which have demonstrated his
innocence and will probably result in his
release inside of week, he does not
want his name mentioned.
Nearly all Of the 2l2 are white. One is
a smOoth-cheeked Spanish lad Of IA, who
was a clerk in store in a small town
IN the interior of Havana province. He
lost his position, and was walking along
the highway TO Havana when arrested,
and charged with being a rebel
In the casemates of MORO are other
political prisoners besides the 2l2, and
10 Cabanas, SanguiIly the only American
Who has had a trial, is confined. His case
mas been appealed, as the evidence did
not warrant conviction.
tepeIo, another American, VINO has been
In The Cabanas two months, is now at the
fresldiOs prison. Havana, and will be
taken to Santa Clara for trial. The two
someillans, father and son, have been re-
leased, after about six weeks in prison,
There being no evidence against them.
4hey are American citizens, and are well
known in the tobacco trade.
W alter Grant Dygert in Guines jail,
about whom the Senate has questioned
lHe state department, was arrested and
Identified by the Spanish officials as the
faei leader InglesitO'-the little English
man, but as the latter is still fighting at
ile head Of an insurgent column, Dygert
Is now said 10 be another InglesitO on his
way to join the rebels, and the claim is
made tha- a rife was found near the
spot where he was arrested. Dygert de-
cares he had no arms and did not intend
...1i1g the rebels.
lone other American citizen in Jail is
ts44ugueZ, who was arrested on board !
e American steamer Olivette five weeks
ago. He is at Cabanas
lere is one Freuchman, HOnore Laine
] ither the Moro or Cabanas. He was |
crested at q hotel III Havana two months |
e-i, and has never been given a hearing |
from those whom have named the !
ieal prisoners are Cubans almost with |
rNcepuon. They are not in any sense |
'ners of war. They are peaceable citi-
dragged out of their homes aWav