Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-11
EXECUTION DELAYED
The Case Of the Competitor Fillibus-
tiers to Go to Spain.
GREAT BRITAIN has INTERVIEWED
Gen. WeyIer Threatens to Resign
if Prisoners Are Spared.
INCIDENT BECOMES SERIOUS

| The Spanish government has been asked
| to approve the sentence of death passed, at
| Havana, Cuba, by court-martial upon the
men captured on board the Competitor on
charge of piracy and rebellion.
The men sentenced are: Alfredo Laborde
| said to be the leader of the party and
! claiming birth in New Orleans and Ameri-
| can citizenship; DIR. Elias Bedia, also claim
| ing American citizenship; William Gildea,
| said to be British subject; owen Milton,
native Of Kansas; Teodoro Maza.
This places the fate of the men in the
hands of the authorities at Madrid and
| insures that they will not be executed with
| out an order from the Spanish government.
| The British consul at Havana has inter-
| vened in the name of his government on
| behalf of the British subject sentenced TO
| death. This action of the British govern
| ment in the case has caused a sensation
| at Madrid, and il has been the topic of
comment by all social classes in the COM
munty.
The news of the capture OF the men on
lhe competitor was received IN Spain with
great satisfaction and rejoicing II was felt
10 be the first opportunity that had been
oHered 10 make an example of those en-
| gagged in feeding the instruction The pop
ular demand for their execution is general
and is likely to become vociferous
dispatches from Havana affirm that Cap
IAN General Weyler is greatly irritated at
lhe attitude of the United States on the
| question of the sentences. IL is asserted
| that If the Spanish government adopts a
contrary View, owing to the representations
MADE by the United States government
General Weyler will resign his post
The Spanish government, fl is said has
| resolved to adjourn the executions and has
pluerea the sentences and proceedings to
| be sent to Madrid to be examined by the
supreme court Of the army and navy SEQ
le.aIy Clhey note demanding the appli-
t calloh OF the protocol of 1877 to the Amer
ican subjects captured on the Connection
ihNohes article q of the treaty of lig5 IN
does not oppose the punishment of the
| prisoners according TO Spanish laws but
demands that they be tried by the hearing
OF witnesses and with the formali,f,s 90 o.,
binary tribunals " VI
Inc Madrid correspondent OF the London
standard says: "Senor Canoyas del CaS,iIln
mas PUBLICLY stated that America has NOT
protested against Spains right to pInish
hiipusters, but only against the summary
| lrlal OF American citizens. The Spanish
| government is willing to consider The de-
mand, and has cabled to Captain General
/ Neyler TO delay the executions pending The
| result OF negotiations which are actively
proceeding between Washington and Mad
rld TO define the Interpretation of the afore-
said treaties"
| Madrid Newspaper Views
Ell impartial Of Madrid publishes a very
| strongly worded article against the ArnerI-
can protest. 1t declares the Spanish law
| must be enforced on those who violate IL
and that exemplary punishment is needed
| 10 step American expeditions The arricIa
concludes by remarking: Boys under six
teen must be pardoned. because as boys.
| ana not as Yankees, they hold their lives
| safe at the hands of the Spanish"
FL Heraldo publishes rumors THAI the
| government has received cables confirming
p tepoils 10 me effect that Generals Weyler,
ochando and Ahumada are prepared TO re-
sign III the prisoners are not executed
I'll heraldo says il cannot say If th.. rI,-
Hlors De true. Certainly something very
serious ana extraordinary is happening in
ollclal circles, for the same journal saws.
Inc l nited States ties the hands Of 90
| army and stops the action of our Justice
at me same time that II provides the in
surgents with arms ammunition sbins
| money and men. 1t is time thar Prernier
NahoNas should speak clearly about such
conduct If his words hurt the Yankees
| his silence hurts the Spaniards''
La Epocha, the official mouthpiece of The
| premier, is more explicit, saying: There ia
| no connlct respecting the sentences and
me right of Spain to punish the guilty par
! ues is not discussed. The only concern 10
| adjournment, which does not mean r, duc-
| ucn OF the sentences. Really when thA
| protocol of 1877 signed the military
ulpuhais gave such guarantees for the de-
| tense OF prisoners as witnesses and attor-
| neys Tor the defense, but which these mod
| ern summary proceedings have SUPPRESSED
| IL Correo the organ of ex-Premier Sa-
sasta, says: prisoners captured with arms
| ir hands. treaty exceptions cannot he
granted. Such barefaced arbi FAIRNESS deep
| ~ wounds the Spanish. National sentiment
| greatly preoccupies political men. The
! whole conduct of the Washington govern
| ment since the Alliance question clearly
| SHOWS very unsatisfactory disposition On
| its part toward Spain"
The independent La Dia writes. 'If Tho
| government yields the consequences will he
| fatal In no way can Spain yield for all
the right is on our side: and If the Yankees
| break the international law we must fol-
low their example. If rupture must come
let II be before more humiliation is to be
noted
Spain Between Two Fires.
| The London Daily News says in an edi-
| torial regarding the cases of the Connection
| captives at Havana:
| The serious news from Cuba places the
| Spanish government between two fires 1t
| is difficult to see how either side can recede
4 If the Spanish government sacrifices Gen
| Weyler ii will probably have to be prepared
| to sacrifice its own life. Public opinion in
| Madrid is hardly well informed enough TO
| profit by the Virginius case in 1873. The
| Spaniards ought to distrust their own nat
| Ural ferocity in cases of this sort. Tho
butchering of the men of the Nirginius,
! which many Of them applauded at tho
| time fine and spirited act, was received
| with horror and execration throughout tie
| world
| Milton a Correspondent.
| Regarding Owen Milton, the Kansas boy
! condemned to death by the Spaniards the
| following dispatch has been sent from Jack
| sonville, Fla to Secretary of State Olney:
| owen Milton, who was captured by the
| Spanish authorities on board the Competitor
| and condemned to death, left Key West as a
| newspaper correspondent, hoping to Consum-
! mate plans for furnishing reliable news to
1 n lori a 1oa.S
! Union at Key West, who in turn were to
| transmit such reports 10y cable to the South
| ern Associated Press and United Press,
| through the medium of this paper He must
| have had with him at the time OF his capture
| credentials showing his connection with the
| Times-union as its duly authorizes repre-
\ sentative. Such letter was furnished him
| by me.
| 81 send you this letter 10 assist you IN your
| efforts in behalf Of young Milton.
IT. T. STOCKTON.