Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-05-20
HOW DELAY WAS WON.
Stormy Interview Between Consul
General Williams and
Gen. Weyler.

New York, May 1S.-A special 10 the
Herald from Havana says: The action
of Consul General Williams in protesting
against the methods of trial of the pris-
oners of the American schooner Com
petitor adopted by the Spanish authori-
ties is worth more than a passing men
ton. Before the court-martial closed,
Consul General Williams letter Of pro-
test was read.
The representative of the United
States quoted the treaties existing be-
tween the United States and Spain and
denied the right of the latter 10 try
American citizens and others sailing
under the American flag by other than
civil hands, adding that in the event of
the latter case they must be judged by
ordinary and not by drumhead military
and naval courts, and be permitted to
employ legal counsel and present Wit
nesses in evidence.
A note by the judge acknowledgement
which had also been endorsed by Ad-
miral Navarro, the highest naval officer
Of Spain in Cuba, ruling Consul-i9en
Williams protest as without good
ground and out of order was also read
and noted. Within three hours after,
the court martial closed its session. At
a special meeting in the afternoon its
members sent to Admiral Navarro q
sealed verdict which was Immediately
opened and approved by the naval chief
The sentences of all five prisoners to
death, in accordance with the verdict,
were signed at once and preparations
were made to have the men shot.
Receiving no satisfactory response from
the admiral nor even an invitation to at
tend the proceedings, neither Consul-Gen-
eral Williams nor any attache of his Of
flee was present at the court martial nor
was he allowed to see the prisoners until
after the trial was closed. Naturally
he laid the whole case before the state
department at Washington by wire early
and received instructions as prompt and
as energetic. When these arrived he
went directly to the palace, where a
stormy interview with Capt.-Gen. Weyler
occurred.
The captain-general told the CONSUL
general that if the men had been convict
ed. 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 instructs me to close
its consulate here and demand my pass
ports, as it shall most certainly hold you
and your government responsible should
these prisoners be executed before our
protest be given due consideration"
When COnSul-General Williams bowed
himself out of the captain-general's pres
ence and drove back to his office the ex-
element that followed at the palace be-
came almost indescribable. The presi-
dent and judges of the supreme civil
tribunal of the island, the chairmen of
the leading conservative parties and the
managing director of the Spanish bank
were called into consultation by Capt
Gen. Weyler and Admiral Navarro
The majority of these persOnages adj
vised the authorities to suspend the exc
cutiOn pending higher instructions from
Madrid. Gen. Weyler said no, and that
if the men were not executed he would
resign. He so telegraphed the Spanish
ministry.
In the meantime, it appears, the Unit
ed States, through Minister Taylor was
bringing pressure to bear also at Madrid.
Orders came from Spain TO suspend all
proceedings and directing the captain
general and Admiral Navarro to trans
nit al documents to Madrid for consid-
GRAFTON by the supreme military and
naval council and cabinet.
Gen. Weyler, it is said, also received a
message telling him to await a more
oppOrtune moment to give up his COM
mand as for diplomatic reasons the gov
eminent could not afford at this crisis
to have him suddenly resign. Consul
Gen. Williams had Won The transfer
of the case to Madrid will give the pris-
oners at least Il month or six weeks res