The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-31
WORK IN CUBA
,.rtLER DETAILS OF TIRE ATTACK
m THE ESTRELLA ESTATE.

r.~o Cannon shots Fired Into the !
D,xeIIfng House by Spanish 4
troops without PrOvOcatiOn-The |
owners of the Plantation Citizens |
the United states-This Govern
ment Asked to Demand Damages.
Havana, March SO.-Here is the story OF |
tho three brothers Ferrar, all American |
,l+izens and joint owners of the coffee |
-fantation Estrella, in Havana province, !
-sar Aluuizar. 1t does not differ greatly |
f-orn the experiences of many other own
.-s of estates in the interior, but as these |
men happen to be Americans and have
made sworn statements, protesting
sqainst the excesses committed by Span
tsb +roops and demanding damages, the
a6air has become one of official record,
end cannot be brushed away with a gen.
eral denial. The papers are now in the
hands of Consul General Williams ana
Miguel Ferrar, one of the brothers, has
punished me with a copy of his state
ment. 1t is as follows: "On Saturday,
March p, the dwelling house of the coffee
nlantation Estrella was the object OF
Vanton attack by the column of Gen.
Bernal. operating in that region. The
said building received two cannon shots
of grape and canister, breaking the door,
one window, several piazza columns and
greatly endangering the lives of the fam
lies of my brothers, Don Tasio and Don
Luis Ferrar, both American citizens, the
wife of the former being enciente. There
were two small children in the house.
From my information it appears that
the troops mentioned had sustained fire
with a rebel band in Paz plantation, a
quarter league from icstrella. The rebels
having fed toward Pedroso and Buena
Esperanza plantations, the government
troops advanced toward Estrella, in quite
an opposite direction from that taken by
the rebels. On arriving at the borders
Of the Estrella plantation. the Spanish
columns began firing cannons at the
dwelling house, and which was immedi-
ately invaded by soldiers, VINO ranSacked
it. carrying off from the wardrobes all
the jewelry and mems clothing they con-
tanned, as well as a sum Of about 500 IN
money. They also took away everything
found in the workmens dwelling, arrest
ing at the same time twelve of the occu-
pants, whom they conducted to Alquizar
as insurgents 1t should be observed that
the cannons were fired solely at the dwell
ling house of the owners, although there
were twenty other buildings on the PLAN
tauon, and the place was entirely clear
of the insurgents.
I'm consideration of all of the above,
and particularly on account of the danger
to which his relations were exposed, and
also for the unjustifiable looting on the
part OF the regular troops In the service
OF constituted government, the under
signed does most solemnly protest, and
asks an immediate indemnity for the dam
age suffered, which he values at $780, as
an work has been stopped on the planta-
ton and everything abandoned"
The Spanish official account of what
happened on the Estrella plantation, is
as follows: THE column Of Gen; Bernal
found several bands of rebels, who made
themselves strong in the houses of the
coffee plantation Estrella, where they
were beaten. and by artillery shots and
cavalry charges, the enemy was dislodged
from his position Twelve prisoners were
captured, besides arms ammunition and
Instruments to destroy railway tracks. 1t
is believed, by the trails of blood seen in
the place, that the rebels had many dead
and wounded. All the prisoners will be
summarily courtmartialed."
On Wednesday twenty prisoners, taken
in the recent operations around Artemisia
and Alquizas, arrived in Havana On be-
ing escorted through Obispo street to the
~ increasing mob, who shouted viva
Espana, and Death to the rebels" The
men were kicked, beaten, and one had his
head cut open by a flying missile. 1t was
a pitiful sight to see the poor wretches
with arms pinioned and mob at their
heels shouting for their blood. BY the
time the prisoners reached the palace the
moD numbered between 200 and 300. Gen.
Ahumada, the Secundo cabo, or second
chief of the government, came out and
ordered the guards to disperse the mob.
Ten. Weyler had several interviews
with Jose Maria Calves and other lead
ers OF the autonomist party. He asked
II 1t was true that the party intended
remaining away from the polls in the
coming election. Senor Calves said that
no decision had yet been reached. Gen.
Weyler then said; 'If you do not take
part in the elections it will be because
you are enemies of Spain, but have not
suInclent Valor to go to the field. I will
guarantee your party ten deputies, and in
case you do not take part in the cleo
tons. shall treat you as I treat other
enemies"
In all probability the autonomists will
90 to the polls. The reformists still say
lney will not take part in the elections.
During the past week the principal war
news has been the destruction of the
camps hospitals and strongholds of the
me Cienaga, and at Los Palos. While
Maceo was in the west and Gomez NOV
ing east columns acting under special
orders have razed these camps, and
many wounded rebels have fallen into
Clark.
The rebel leader, Ensigni Aleman, was
Snot this morning in Cabanes fortress
Other executions VIII take place this
Week Gen. Melguizo had an encounter
yesterday with a rebel party under the
leader Agnierre at a point one kilometre
south of Bainoa, between Havana and
-,ttoilAdS. Otit Spanish Captain anu LII &C
soldiers were wounded with machetes.
Eighteen rebels are said to have been kill
ed.
Madrid. March SOJrhe correspondent of
the Imparcial in Havana telegraphs that
the DEGREES issued by Capt. Gen, Weyler
declaring that those opposing the govern
ment will be dealt with with the utmost
possible severity, have made a good i'm
preston in Spanish circles in Cuba. Pris-
oners continue to arrive in Havana in
large numbers. The advance guard of the
rebel force under Alaceo is skirting the
northern part of the province Of Pinar Del
40. The insurgent leader Gomez is mac
I'VE He is in very bad health. The autono-
nlsts will abstain from voting at the COM
lng election.