The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-03-26
SPANISH cRuELTles IN CUBA.

SPANISH CRUELTIES IN CUBA
The Usaaes of Modorn Warfare are Brutally
Oisre9arded--Non-C Comhatants are Remof-
selessy Put to Death.
The following letter has been re-
cSived by mail from Cuba at Tampa,
va, and Is addressed to the American
press:
If tho government that unhappily
rules the destinies of this unfortunate
country should DO true to the most
rudimentary principles OF justice and
morality, Col. JUL, who has beeu re-
Gently appointed military governor OF
Matanzas province, should be IN tho
galleys among criminals. 1t is but u
short time since he was relieved by
Gen. Martinez CampOs, of the military
command at Cienfuegos, as he had not
once engaged any of tho insurgents
forces, but vented all his ferociOus in
stincts against innocent and inotfen-
sive peasants.
"Jn Yaguar&mas, q small town
noar Cienfucgos, he arrested as
suspected spies, Mr.. Antonia Morjen,
an honest aud hard-working man, and
Mr.. Ygnacio Chapi, who is we'll ad-
vanced in years and almost blind. Not
being able to prove the charge against
them as they wore innocent, he order
ed Maj. Moreno, of the Barcelona
battalion, doing garrison, duty at
Yaguaramas, to kill them with the
machete and have them buried i'm
mediately. Mai. Marono answered
that he was u gentleman who had
come to fight for the integrity of his
country, and not to commit murder.
This displeased the colonel sorely, but
unfortunately volunteer sergeant
with six members were willing TO
execute the order of the colonel and
Morejon and Chapi were murdered
without pity.
"The order Of JUL was executed in
the most cruel manner. 1t horrities
to even think of it. Mr.. Chapi, who
know the ways of Col. JUL, on being
awakened at 2 o'clock in the morning
and notified by the volunteer chief uf
the guard that he and Morejon had to
go out, suspected what was to como,
ana told mis- companion to cry out for
out OF the fort. They did so, but those
who were to execute the order of JUL,
were neither moved or weakened in
thclr purpose; on the contrary at the
llrst screams of Chapi and More ion
they threw lasso over their heads
and pulled at it by the ends. In few
moments they fell to the ground
choked to dealh. They were dragged
on the earth without pity to the pItcr
where they were buried. All this
bloody scene was witnessed by JUL
| from short distance.
Providence has not willed that so
much iniquity should remain hidden
forever. In the hurry the grave where
taese two Innocent men were buried
was not deep enough and part of the
rope with which they wore choked
remained outside. a neighbor looking
ior o lost co" saw the ropo, took hold
OF 1T and on pulling disinterred the
terror-stricken and immediately gave
notice to the Guardia Civil and the
Judge. These authorities soon found
out that the mon had been killed by
order OF COL JUL, and therefore pro-
ceedings were suspended.
The neighbors and all civil and
military authorities know everything
that has been related here, but such Is
tho state Of affairs on this island, that
Cen. Weyler has had no objection to
appointing this monster, Col. JUL, mil
ltary governor Of Matanzas. Such
deeds as enumerated are common. The
people OF the town of Matanzas, with
JUL as governor and Arolas at the
hSdo VI p COluIuu, WI The con-
sequences of their pernicious and
bloody instincts.
THAT the readers may know In
part who Gen. Arolas is, l will relate
what has happened in tho Mercedes
estate, near Colon. 1t having como to
his knowledge that a small BODY of
| robels was encampcd on the sugar
estate, Mercedes, of Mr.. Carrolla, Gen,
| Arolas went to engage them, but the
| rcbcls, who were few in number, re-
treated. Much voxed at not being
able to discharge one shot at them,
he made prisoners of three workmcn
who were out in the fielding hcrding
the animals Of The estate, and with
out any fornalty Of trial shot them.
When the bodies were taken to the
Central, they were recognized, and to
cover his responsibility somewhat
Gen. Arolas said that when he chal-
lenged them they ran oft and at the
first discharge OF musketry they fell
| dead.
ut seems impossible, that being so
near the United States, 50 near that
country so free, cultured and generous,
innocent peasants can be butchercd
with impunity. Not even in Armenia
happens wha, is boing Witnessed in
Cuba. The history Of the Spanish
dominion in this unfortunate island is
history Of crime"