The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1896-05-29
THEY WILL BE SHOT
THE MEN CAPTURED ON THE
COMPETITOR DOOMED
Urieas tho United states interposes
Quickly ia Their Behalf.

AN lhHhANe on thD NtMAu sentence on
the men caught on the flibuator, Com
petitor, it is stated, Is liable to bring
about a crisis in relations between
Spain and the United States.
1t is understood that this govern
ment will not allow the executions 70
take place without earnest and viCor.
Gus protest against the summary man
ner In which the trial was conducted.
Secretary Olney severe VS. ago
sent instructions OF nV ia tone
TO Consul General VII snd these
formed the basis for the Representa-
lions made by General Williams to the
court martial Friday. Every effort
is being made to prevent the execution
OF the sentence until this government
can make a thorough investigation on
which to base appeals OF demands.
OF the five men convicted and SEN
fenced, two are native born American
citizens, and the third, William Kin
lea, described as an Irishman, is un-
derstood to be a naturalized citizen OF
this country. The state departments
informed that Owen Milton is from
Kansas, aud that Alfredo Laborde was
born in New Orleans.
In all cases of arrest OF American
citizens for alleged completely in in
surrection, the United States govern.
ment has insisted on civil trials for
those who we're not captured in the act
OF using arms against the Spanish
forces, practically conceding, however,
that those bearing and using arms
might be tried by military courts.
This construction complexities mat
ters in the present instance, as Milton,
Laborde and Kinlea are stated to
have been captured with arms in their
hands.
Secretary Olney had a long inter
view with the president on the subject
Saturday morning, and on his return
to the state department sent kilograms
to Madrid and Havana.
1t is understood that the friendly
Offices which the state department is
exerting in behalf of Milton, of Kansas,
are limited to the complaint that the
decision was reached in q summary
manner, without giving any opportun-
ity for defense, aud too hasty to exam
inc into all the circumstances of the
case.
Effort to Delay Execution.
The effort now being made at Mad
rid and Havana is, therefore, to be in
the line of securing delay of the ex-
ecution for a sufficient time to permit
such an investigation of the Competi.
tor incident as is demanded in the in
terest of humanity.
1t is not thought that any attempt
will be made to secure a civil trial for
Milton or any of his associates who
may be found to be bona fde American
citizens, the treaty under which such
transfers of jurisdiction have hitherto,
been made appearing to have no bear
ing n the present instance.
Weyler Notifies OIney.
The report reaches Havana from the
United States that Captain General
Weyler has notified Secretary Olney
that the Americans captured on the
schooner Competitor will be executed
in accordance with the sentence of the
court martial, which tried them, de-
spite the protest OF Mr.. Olney.
1t is not known in Havana that the
captain general has done anything of
the kind. The only thing that he has
said about the case is that Consul
General Williams had presented
claim that the Americans should be
tried by tribunal, as they we're not
bearing arms when captured. It is
believed that the matter will be de-
cided at cabinet meeting to be held
in Madrid.
A Washington special under the date
of Sunday night says: The presidents
time for action in the Cuban matter
has arrived. He will not permit the
execution of the men captured on the
Competitor. Already he has commu-
nicated with the Spanish government
in the matter, and he is said to be de-
lermined
The affair is looked upon as the
most serious complication which has
yet arisen, and it may lead to the dis
patch of the north Atlantic squadron
to Cuban waters within few DAYS.
Several cables have been passed, and
the president may send a special mes
sage to congress on the subject within
forty-eight hours.