Omaha daily bee., 1896-04-18
HAVE MISSIONARIES IN JAIL

Georgia Members of Congress Greatly
| Interested in the Cnse.
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE State de-
| partment has received brief cable message
from Consul General Williams at Havana,
announcing the arrest of Proc tant Missionary
Alberto Jesus Diaz, Who is we'll known
| throughout the south and TO many church
| people in all parts Of the United States
| Diaz is a naturalzed American citizen and
| OF strong Cuban sympathes, but his friends
| insist that hs work in Cuba has been con-
| hned to proselytinS for the church and deny
| participation in the rebellion on his part
| The message from Consul General Williams
| contained no Details
The case will be closely followed up by
| the representatives bf the United States, who
VIII take the customary steps to protect
the interests of an American citizen. The
| consul general will insist on a civil trial
should the matter / &C to the length Of a
trial. 1t may be that his release can be
obtained without the necessity of a trial, but
on this point nothing can be said in advance
OF an investigation, which Mr. Williams will
| make into the circumstances leading up to
the arrest.
The Georgia members Of congress- were
deeply interested in the news from Havana
Of the arrest Of the two Diaa brothers natur-
allied citizens OF the United States, and mis-
sionares, charged with aiding the insur-
gents. They say Alberta Diaz is mis-
oionary of high standing and has been sup
poIteu lOI seNeral years Dy Ine BaptlSt con-
ference of Georgia Representatives Black
and Moses, who are members'o of that church,
are personally acquainted with DiaZ. Mr.
Moses, in speaking Of the case, said: 'Daz
ie man with wonderful history. / did
not know that Daz was uaturalzed. Prob
ably he secured his papers in New York.
He visited Georgia every year / have under
stood that while his symPathies were with
the insurgents, he was taking no part in
the work of the rebellion. He has done
much to relieve distress since the beginning
of the war"
Congress of Religious Education.
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE first ma
tional congress of religious education under
the auspices of the American society devoted
to that cause will be held In this city be-
ginning Monday evening next and continuing
until Thursday afternoon. Associated with
the officers Of the society in ,he call for the
congress is committee representing seven
of the leading denominations, including, be-
sides prominent pastors, Justice Brown of
the supreme court, Hon. II. A. Herbert, sec
retary of the navy, and j. II. l.. Curry, ex-
minister to Spain.
There will be ten sessions of the con-
gress at which General John Eaton, eX-
United States commissioner cf education, and
DR.. j. M. Gregory, eX-presdent of the Illi-
nois State Industrial university, will preside.
The list of speakers includes the names OF
sixty well known educators and men in public
life. There are Senator Thurston of Me-
braska, Edwin Wilets ard c. w. Dabney, !
respectively ex-aasstant and assistant sec |
retary of agriculture: Rev. 5. E. Beiler vice |
chancellor of the American university and |
others.
The theme for the FIRST meeting Religious
Education and National Prosperity" will be |
discussed by Senator Thurston, Rev. j. Z. |
Grammar, Baltimore, and Rev. w. II. Mil |
burn, the blind chaplain Of The senate