Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-11
DEATH THEfRFATE
Unless Uncle Sam Can Save
with His Strong Arm.
no MERCY SHOWN TO FnIBUsTERs.


American Eagle lowering Over the Scene
with tine View of Preventing the Death
Penalty, and the Spanish People, Wroth
ut the Ease with Which Filibusters
Dodge Our Police and Courts, Red Hot
for Fflibuster Gore.
HAVANA, May. 1.-THE five men caught
with the American filibuster Competitor
were found guilty and sentenced to death
by the court martial that tried them. The
Spanish government has been asked to
approve The sentences. The men SEN
fenced are: Alfredo Laborde, said to be
the leader of the party and claiming Amer
lean citizenship; DIR. Elias Betlia, also
claiming American citizenship; William
Gildea, said to be British subject; John
Melton, a native of Kansas; Teodoro
Mata. This places the fate of the men in
the hands of the authorities at Madrid and
insures that they will not be executed
without an order from the Spanish gov
eminent. James Creelman, correspond
ent of the New York World, and Frederick
w. Lawrence, correspondent of the New
York Journal, who were ordered out of
the island, have sailed for New York.
Uncle Sam VIII Not BE Silent.
WASHINGTON, May 11.-Secretary Olney
and the president were in conference for
some time on the Competitor case The
result Of the conference is not stated, but
there can be no doubt that strong repre-
sensations will be made to the Spanish
authorities against the summary nature
Of the proceedings and against the iniiic-
ton Of the death sentence and that espe
cial stress will be laid on the Milton ease.
Still it is not probable that the North At
lantic squadrpn has been ordered to be
Ready to sail for Havana with blood in it's
eye. as the enterprising special reports;
nor is it probable that the alleged order
ing ready Of militia regiment in Florida
by Governor Mitchell, Of that state, is the
result of any orders from here.
British Consul Also Intervencs.
a dispatch from Havana says it has be-
come known that the British consul has
also interviewed in the name of his govern
ment in behalf of the Competitors cap
tives sentenced to death. He invokes
clemency for the prisoners. This action Of
the British government in the case has
caused u sensation there, and it has been
the topic of comment by all social classes
in the community. 1t would be difficult
to say from any admissions made in official
quarters what effect this new development
will have In the case. There is a marked
absence of irritability manifested in the
comments on the suject, and the action
of the British official seems to have been
taken in very good part.
Question Recognized as Important.
1t Is pointed out that the Intervention Of
the British consul is couched in very differ
ent form from that Of the United States
consul general, and Is, in fact, expressed
in very friendly terms, invoking the
clemency of the Cuban authorities. The
question of the execution of the captives
of the Competitor is recognized to be one
of the most important which has occurred
| since the instruction broke out. Now
that the question has been referred to the
| government at Madrid the situation at
Havana has quoted down, though there is
no cessation Of interest and discussion of
the question. The attitude of the public
is rather one OF waiting on the resolution
of the Madrid government. The waiting
| is attended by 10 little anxiety.
Delay of the Executions Ordered.
A cable from London says that the
Madrid correspondent of The Standard
telegraphs rs follows: ''Scnor Canovas del
Castillo has publicly stated that America
has not protested against SPANS right to
punish filibustSrs, but only against the
summary trial. American citizens are en-
titled, it is claimed, to be tried in the
civil courts under the treaties of 1875 and
1877. The Spanish government is willing
to consider the demand, and has cabled tc
| Captain General Weyler to deylay the
executions pending the result of negotia
tons which are actively proceeding be-
tween Washington and Madrid to define
| the Interpretation of the aforesaid treaties
weyIer Threatens to Resign.
| General Wcylcr threatens to resign il
the sentence of the court is interferct
with. Spanish papers say that Olney'
demand cannot be complied with. Lon
don papers generally advise Spain to ac
with moderation and give heed to the tic
mands of the United States. They al
consider the situation very serious"