The evening times., 1896-06-13

J. {. Delgado, accompanied by his son,
DIR. Jose Manuel Deigado, naturalized mer-
| lean citizens, WHO have been the victims
OF Spanish atrocities In Cuba, called upon
| Secretary or State O!ney shortly after 10
| O'Clock this morning.
An early hour for the visit was selected
in order TO avoid publicity so far a $ pos
sible. The Delgados were accompanied by
DR.. Rodriguez, who is understood to have
been retained as one of their legal ad-
| visers. and Senior Quesada, tile secretary OF
| tile Cuban legation in this city.
twenty minutes were scent with Secre-
tary Olney. during which tie elder Delgado
exhibited bullet that had passed en-
| tirely through his body and from the Of
| fects OF which he has never fully recoy-
| cred. DR.. Delgado had with him broken
| machete with which his lie had been at
| tempted, a horrible scar remaining across
hisface toillustrate the murderous character
| of the assault.
PRESSING THEIR CLAIMS.
| 1t is understood that the Delgados were
satisfied with their call. They will remain
| In the city for some time pressing q claim
which has been filed against the Spanish
| government for damages both to themselves
and their plantation.
The exact amount of this claim Is not
known, but it is said to aggregate a
| large sum.
Dr. Rodriguez was very relicent when
| Questioned by The Times reporter in re-
| gard TO the claim for reparation.
He said there was nothing new in the
| matter, as the Claims had been filed last
| July, and the purpose OF the Delgados in
visiting Washington was to personally call
upon the Secretary OF State and furnish
him convincing proof of the injuries they
had sustained, expecting that by so doing
more vigorous policy would be pur-
sued.
The doctor said that the published ac-
counts or the affair were exaggerated and
misleading. He would not consent at this
tlEie That the Deigados might he seen by
newspaper men, He considered it better
Tor their interests that the matter should
pe ieit IN the hands OF the government and
that their case should not be pref lsiiced or
Jeopardized by indscriminate talking
Tue claim presented by the Deigados is
regarded as by all odds the most Important
now pending before tile State Department.
any action that may be taken regarding il
VIII establish a precedent for long list of
similar demands that Will be made against
the spanish government for damages sus-
iained by naturalized American citizens for
long time resident in Cuba.
PERHAPS LOST THEIR RIGHTS.
The Delgado's, like scores Of other Cubaus
"efe many years ago naturaliZed in this
country, but having since resided coptin-
uousiy i'll Cuba, have 10 all intents and pur-
poses lost their right tn claim the protec-
tion or the United States. And should this
protection be given i'll the one instance
1t would open the way for the filing OF al,
most Countless claims equally Just. and
requiringitbe iDterposition OF the depart
ment.
AS rule these claims have been held in
aDRyancp, a waiting
establish precedent, which, when once
established. Will afford an opportunity for
others similarly situated to come for.
ward with weilfounded claims and pre-
sent them, with the reasonable prospect
OF securing adjudication.
As consequence, the policy taken by
the state Department win be watched
with unusua! interest as 1t will determine
10 large extent the exact status of
natnraliZed American citizens residing in
Cuba and indicate to what extent the
government OF Spain will be held respon
sibie for injuries inflicted upon the per
sons and property OF those who claim
protection because of their naturalization.
The atrocities of which the Delgados were
the victims, and which In each instance
nearly resulted fatally, We're committed in
March, 1895. While a number of the in
surgent army were being entertained by
the DelEados on their plantation at Dolores
near Havana, they were surprised by a
large detachment OF Spanish troops. The
Cubans hastily retreated, in order that the
battle might not occur on the plantation
where they had just been entertained.
THE OFFICERS INSULT.
The Spaniards rode rolghshod not only
into the Delgados grounds, hut several
officers astride their horses entered the
house. Meanwhile the wives OF a number
OF farm hands sought shelter beneath the
doctors roof Firing was heard without
and 1t was scon found that tie workmen
on the plantation We're being shot down.
The doctor and his father rushed out and
endeayored to stop the butchery.
Il am an American citizen" pleaded Dr.
Deigado to the general, and these men
are my employees. Here are the papers to
prove my claim"
The officer took the papers and slapped
the doctor across the face with them
BY this time the cane brush o n the planta-
ton was set afire. Recognizing their des-
perate straits. the DECADES attempted TO
escape. but both weie shot.
The doctor was shot i'll the head and in
tue leg. and was left for dead. While lying
almost unconscious he saw the Spaniar,is
rifle the pockets of the dead and wounded.
one OF tile soldiers began to rob him. and,
finding he was still breathing slashed him
with knife across the head and cheek
AFTER the Spaniards retreated, the aged
DelgadO, with servant. who had es-
capped, carried his son to the cane beyopd
They had no food, and for the five DAYS
they were compelled to remain in hiding it
rained almost incessantly The number of
killed was about thirty, and many more
were badly injured.
DR.. Delgado was educated in this coun-
try, and was at one time practicing phy-
sician in New York. He is forty six years
old. The Deigados hope before leaving the
city that an opportunity will be afforded
them OF personally calling upon the Presi-
dent and making verbal statement of
their case to him.
1t is considered doubtful, however, il
this can be arranged, as the President is
well known to be averse to placing himself
in position which might be construed
as outside the strict requirements of neu-
trality. He prefers that all communications
from either side to the pendin Cuban eontro-
versy should come through the regular
and legitimate channels.
RALLY IN SUGAR,