The herald., 1896-08-17
THE FILlBUSTER LAURADA
Seems to Be the Basis for the
Claims
The Steamer Three Friends Seized by the
United States Authorities-A Sensational
Story Of WeyIer's Brutality
Associated Fress Special Wire.

Associated Fress Special Wire.
MADRID, Aug 16.-The duke of Te-
taun, Spanish minister of foreign affairs
has received from Washington u dis
patch giving satisfactory assurances
regarding the alleged filibustering ex-
pedltion of the Laurada.
THE LAURADA CLAIM.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16-The steam
er Laurada referred to in the Madrid
dispatch has figured frequently in the
claims made by Spanish authorities that
American merchants there were engaged
in filibustering operations. In January
last the then captain of the vessel was
indicted in the federal courts of South
Carolina, but was acquitted after jury
trial. Frequent reference has been made
to the experience of the Laura6a at May
port, Fla, in May last. The captain on
that occasion failed to take out health
papers required by the law, and this led
to the surveillance of the Laurada by
the Spanish war vessel. 1t was claimed
that ten Cubans were located on board
and that large quantities Of war materi-
al and dynamite were thrown into the
water after the Spanish war vessel put
Ill oil dPpedTdICt. II was dlSO
sented at the time of the appearance Of
the Spanish cruiser that thirty men
were drowned owing to the precipitous
haste in getting ashore to avoid appre-
hension. The Spanish authorities
claimed that the United States had TAX
en- no proceedings toward recommending
the vessel or arms in accordance with
the neutrality law. All the state depart
ment officials were absent from the city
tonight so no statement could be OBJ
| tained from that quarter.
VESSEL SEIZED.
TAMPA, Fla, Aug. 16.-The seizure
of the steamer Three Friends at May
port yesterday by the United States au-
thorities has upset the plans of the Gu
bans here entirely, and they are now
awaiting developments. Yesterday af-
| ternoon a special train was to leave here
with about 10 Cubans, under command
| of Augusta Aerno. They were to meet
| the Three Friends somewhere between
Jacksonville and Fernandina, but the
advices from Jacksonville detained
them here. Everything was ready for
them to leave today, but as the Three
Friends is still here they will remain
here until she is released.
WEYLER'S BRUTALITY.
KEY WEST, Fla. Aug. 16.-Captain-
| General Weyler and General Ochondo
were the principals in sensational af-
fair which occurred shortly before the
latter sailed for Spain. The death of
! General Ochondo's nephew who was a
! lieutenant in the Spanish army. was the
cause of the trouble.
There were ugly rumors in circulation
rejecting on the young lieutenant who
was accused of conducting a treasona-
bic correspondence with Maxine Co
mez, the insurgent chief When Wey-
Ter heard of the rumors he summoned
the young man to the palace and ques-
toned him. Weyler was apparently
satisfied of the young mans guilt and
told him that if he did not commit sui
eide in twenty-four hours he would be
court-martialed and shot.
The lieutenant left the palace, went
to his room and in six hours was corpse
having shot himself through the heart
The affair was hushed up and the Span
ish official reports said that the young
| man uleu OI yellOW lCNCis oAoi ~ NASS~
ward Gen. Ochondo arrived in Havana
and learned the true story of his neph-
ews DEATH He was greatly enraged
He Immediately went to the palace te
| call Weyler to account. The meeting OF
the generals was most sensational
! Ochondo denounced Weyler in the Dit
terest terms, alleging that the lieutenan
was gultless and had been driven tt
his death Ochondo termed Weyler E
murderer and butcher and challenged
him to a duel. The men drew swords
and would have fought in the palace bu
for the interference of other officers
Two days later Gen Ochondo sailed TO
Spain. He is greatly enraged and say
he will make the affair public when h
reaches Spain and demand Weyler's re
call.