The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-19
wEYLER WAS TURNED DOWN.
He Wanted to shoot the Prisoners, but
spain Was Afraid.

Havana May iS-The action Of Consul
General Williams IN protesting against
the methods Of the trial OF the prisoners
Of the schooner Competitor adopted BY
the Spanish authorities is worth more
than a passing mention Before the court
martial closed Consul General Williams
letter Of protest sas read. 1t quoted the
treaties existing between the United States
and Spain and doubted the right or the
latter to try American citizens and 9TH
ers sailing under the American f!ag by
other that civil laws, adding that In tho
latter they must be judged by ordinary
and not by military and naval courts.
and be permitted to employ legal counsel
and present witnesses In evidence. note
by the judge advocate general. which rad
also been indorsed by Admiral Navarro,
the highest naval officer OF Spain IN Cuba
regarding Consul General Williams protest
as without good ground and out OF order.
wss also read and noted
Within four hours after the court-mar-
tial closed its session. al a special meeting
in the afternoon its members sent TO Ad-
miral Navarro a sealed verdict. Nhicn
was Immediately approved by the naval
chief. The sentences OF all five prison.
ers to death in accordance with the Yer
dict was signed at once. and preparations
were made TO have the prisoners shot.
Receiving no satisfactory response from
tho admiral, nor even an invitation TO at
tend the proceedings. neither Consul Gen
sral Williams not any attache of his office
was present at the court-martiai, nor was
he allowed 20 see the prisoners until after
ihs trial had closed. Naturally he laid
the whole case before the state depart
ment Al Washington City by wire early,
and received instructions as prompt as
energetic. When these arrived he
went Immediately to the palace. where a
stormy interview with Capt. Gen Weyler
occurred. The general told the consul
general that If the men had been convicted
as the latter supposed, they would most
certainly be shot at sunrise the following
morning. despite any protest the United
States might make.
IF YOU shoot them" said Mr. Williams,
my government instrpets me TO close IT'S
consulate here and demand my passports.
and ! shah most certainly hold you and
your government responsible should these
prisoners be executed before our protest
he given due consideration" When Mr..
Williams bowed himself out of the gensr-
ais presence ne drove hack TO his Office.
The exctgment that followed at the palace
vas irdescrihahie. The judges OF the civil
tribunal and the cha!rmsn OF the leading
conservative parties and the managing
director Of the Spanish bank were called
and a consultation began. The majority
OF these personages advised the authori-
ttHa 10 suspend tNs execution penang iAr-
ther instructions from Madrid Gen wey-
Ter saif no that u the men were not exc
euied he would resign He 80 telegraphed
the Spanish ministry. tt ia reported.
IN the meantime. IL appears. the United
states zas. through Minister Taylor.
bringing pressure TO bear also n Madrid
Orders came from Spain 70 suspend all
proceedings ard directing the captain gen
ersl and admiral to transmit all the docu-
IA
eratiSe there BY the supreme military and
naval council and cabinet Gen wsyier.
Il Is said. also received a message telling
him 20 await a more opporiune naomen,
TO give - his Command 50 for diplomatic
reasons the government could not AFFORD
az This crisis 20 have him suddenly re-
sign Consul General Williams had won
The transfer % the case 10 Madrid ufFl
give the prisoners az least a month or six
weeks respits