The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-08
The Terror of the Spanish
Prisoners in Cuba.
American Citizens Are Among
the Victims.
Two Hundred and Twelve Men Are
Crowded Into Two Dungeons.


seme have been there a week, some u month
some year. Two are American citissns, one
Is British subject. There is a boy OF IL
years, born in Spain, and not long enough in
the country to dream OF robelling against the
government. There are men bowed in years.
young men, merchants professional men.
clerks, and farm laborers, ali gathered in
and thrown together with little OF no evil
dsnoe OF having aided or taken part in the
insurrection.
In the Cabanns fortress close by, and in
prisons all over the island, are other un'
fortunatos. 1000. 300. perhaps 1000 altogether,
for no man may know how many people
Spain has behind the bars at this time in
Cuba.
In times of war foreigners, newspaper cor
respondents, and tourists are supposed to be
shut out Of Spanish prisons. but relatives and
friends are admitted 10 Moro Castle on Sun
days and Wednesdays.
On one OF these days recently visitor
crossed the rowboat ferry from Havana to
the landing. walked up tho pebble paved ep.
proach 10 MORO Castle. and passed within
the old battlements. Spanish soldiers to the
number Of 200 lounged around the entrance
and court yard. About half Of them were
duty. In the center OF the court some so or
60 visitors were grouped in front of the two
principal cells.
Guards kept an open space 10 feet wide be-
tween the visitors and the barred doors and
windows OF the cells Bundles of clothing
and food We're opened and searched by tho
guards before being passed TO the prisoners.
Conversations between those behind the
bars and those without had to be carried on
In a loud voice. Wives spoke encouragement
to husbands and mothers TO sons. and told Of
efforts being made to obtain their release.
Each cell is about 20 feet wide, and nearly
100 feet deep. They are of stone. arched
above and are more like subterranean tunnels
than rooms for human beings The only
openings are at the ends. They are in the
lower part OF a building within the outer
walls and have the appearance Of being in
tended for storing supplies. They are damp
and filthy and are said to be infested with
vermin. Nothing in the shape of chairs
benches. or beds ara provided There are,
however, hooks for 20 hammocks in each
room. Friends of tho prisoners supply the
hammocks. but, as there are l0S mon in one
room and i04 in tho other. over half the mum.
Der are compelled to sleep on the stone floor.
water Is furnished twice day in separate
cans which once contained kerosene oil
Regular army rations are served. The sani.
tary arrangements are vile Many men are
taken from those cells to the hospitals before
the slow moving authorities see fit to try
their cases or admit that they have no case.
One or the prisoners IL Lopez Co,oma, who
left Matanzas In the early days OF the rebel-
lion. Like Juan Guaiberto Gomez who died
In Centa prison, Coloma presented himself
when captain general Callija issued his pro-
olamhtion granting amnesty to all insurgents
who surrendered. he has been in prison over
year. has neither been deported nor had n
trial, and stands good chance OF dying in
prison.
Another Of the prisoners is In Dislao Ouin.
tero, an American citizen. ons Of the peace
ful residents of Guatao, who was taken pris-
oner in his own house and shot in the arm
after capture. Ho never took part in the in.
surrection. His wife filed a statement of lis
case with the American consul six weeks ago.
Another prisoner is Manuel Francisco
Aguerro. He claims to be an American citi.
zen, and though arrested in July, 1896. the
American consul said no had never heard of
the case until laid IL before him.
Aguerre Is a general agent or manager of
travelling circus, Is nearly so years of age. has
only one arm. and there arc only three
fingers on his remaining hand. lie speaks
fair English, and says no has visited the
United States yearly to obtain features for
bis circus, and lived there ut one time five
years, when he took out c.tizenship papers.
de says that he has taken no part In me
present war. and was arrested in Gu "a,
Havana province, on July Z, last year. He
says that his citizenship papers were left with
a Mr.. Pellietra. acting vce-consu at sagua,
during the absence OF tho CONSUL Daniel
Mullin. He seys he cannot get his papers
back from sangua, as Mr.. Pellotria and Mr..
Mullin are no longer there. Consul. General
Williams has agreed TO write to Sangua to
learn IL Aguerro is registered there as an
American citizen.
There Is British subject in the MORO who
has been there about four months. but as he
Is Informed that investigations have demon.
straiec his innocence and that win probably
result in his release inside Of week. he docs
not want his name mentioned.
Nearly all of the 2l2 men are white. One IL
a smooth checked Spanish lad Of Ia who was
clerk In store in small town in tho In
terror OF Havana province. lilo lost his posi.
tion, and was walking along the highway 20
Havana when arrested and charged with
being "robel"
In the casemates OF MORO aro othor politi.
cal prisoners besides the PIP. and in Cabanss.
saneuilly. tho only American who has had
trial is still confined. his case has been an.
poaled, as tho evidence did not warrant con.
yiction.
Cepero. another American, who has been In
tho Cabanus two months, is now az the
Prcsidios prison. Havana. and will be taken
TO Santa Clara Cor trial.
Inc two someillsns, father and son. have
been released after about six weeks in prison.
there being No evidence against them. Thoy
are American citizens, and are we'll known in
tho tobacco trade.