The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1896-05-19
VIGOROUS. MEASURES.
How the Competitor Prisoners Livel
Were Saved.

Were Saved.
New York, May 1s.-A Herald special
from Havana says:
The action of Consul-General Will
Jams, in protesting against the methods
of the trial of the prisoners of the schoon-
er Com petitor, made by the Spanish au-
thorities, is worth more than a passing
mention.
Before the court-martial closed, Con-
sui General Williams letter of protest
was read. The representative of the
United States quoted the treaties exist
ing between the United States and
doubted the right of the latter to try
American citizens and others sailing
under the American flag, by other than
civil law, adding that in the letter they
must be judged by ordinary and not by
military and naval courts, and be per-
mitted to employ legal counsel and pre-
sent witnesses in evidence.
A note by the judge advocate general,
which had also been indoraed by Ad-
miral Navarro, the highest naval officer
of Spain in Cuba, ruling Consul General
Williams protest as without good
ground and out of order, was also read
and noted.
Within four hours after the court
martial closed it's session, at a special
meeting in the afternoon, it's mem bers
sent to Admiral Navarro a sealed ver-
dict, which was Immediately approved
by the naval chief. The sentences of all
five prisoners to death, in accordance
with the verdict, was signed at once,
and preparations were made to have the
men shot.
Receiving no satisfactory response
from the admiral. nor even an invitation
to attend the proceedings, neither Con-
sui General Williams nor any attache
of his Office was present at the court
martial, nor was he allowed to see the
prisoners until the trial was closed.
Naturally he laid the whole case before
the state department at Washington
early, and received instructions as
prompt as energetic.
When these arrived he went immedi-
ately to the palace, where a stormy in
terView with Captain General Weyler
Lie RCACTdl LOlQ bDS CtnSul-
general that if the men had been con-
victed, as the latter supposed, they
would most certainly be shot at sunrise
the following morning, despite any pro-
test the United States might make.
''If you shoot them," said Mr.. Will
Jams, my government instructs me to
close It's consulate here and demand my
passports, and I shall most certainly
hold you and your government respon-
sible should these prisoners be executed
before our protest be given due consid-
eration.''
When Mr.. Williams bowed himself
out of the generals presence, he drove
back to his office. The excitement that
followed at the palace was indescriba-
BILE.
The leading personages advised the
authorities TO suspend the execution
pending further Instructions from Mad
rid. General Weyler said if the men
were not executed he would resign, and
so telegrap phed the Spanish ministry.
In the meantime it appearsthe United
States was, through Minister Taylor,
bringing pressure to bear also at Madrid.
Orders came from Spain to suspend all
proceeding and directing the captain
general and admiral to transmit all doc
uments in the case to Madrid for con-
sideration there by the supreme military
and naval council and cabinet. The
transfer of the case to Madrid will give
the prisoners at least a month or six
weeks respite.