The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-14
BY CIVIL PROCESS
TWO AMERICANS NOT TO BE TRIED
BY COURT-MARTIAL.
Consul-GeneraI williams at Havana
What the Madrid Press Says.

HAVANA, May 1.-THE United States has
interviewed in behalf of two more of the
men of the schooner Competitor. The
mems names are Charles Barnett and Will
liam Leavitt. AS cabled on Monday. they
were brought here from Bahia Honda, hav-
ing been captured in Pinar del Rio after
they landed They are citizens of the United
States, and so notified the United States
consul-general. Mr.. Williams. They also in
formed the consul-general that they were
unarmed when captured. Consul-general
Williams has. in consequences, presented the
claim he regularly makes In such cases
that the men shall be tried by the ordinary
civil court and not by court-martial, &C
cording to the rights guaranteed to citi-
zens of the United States by treaty. The
cases of these two men differ from those
of the five other Competitor captives only
inasmuch as they had landed In Cuba be-
fore being captured, and so have clearer
title to civil trial as being residents of Cuba,
as technically provided in the treaty guar
antee. 1t was the ground of nonresi-
dence that the authorities at first denied a
civil trial to the men captured on board
is not expected that any dificulty viii be
made about according Barnett and Leavitt
a civil trial.
tured some empty boats. in addition TO one
captured after the crew had succeeded in
escaping to the shore: These boats are be-
dition which landed and Joined the insur-
gents. The Mayor of Berracoas, on the
north coast Of the province of Pinar del
in his district, and supposed to have landed
small expedition, was marked Shelter
islaHd. No; 4" While cruising in the yicin n,
the Spanish gunboat Diego velasquez saw
a boat manned by several men off shore.
The .gunboat got as near as possible to the
small boat and then an armed boat from
the former was sent in pursuit. But, in
spite of the fire of a rapid-fire gun in the
Diego Velasquez boat, the supposed fill
The sailors and marines from the armed
boat pursued the alleged insurgents, de-
stroyed salt mine which belonged to the
enemy, and after three hours useless
search the armed boat returned to the
Diego Velasquez with the captured small
Shelter Island. trading between Key West
and Miami, was lost off Loggerhead key,
twenty miles east of Key West, in Febru-
The Spanish authorities repeat the asser-
ton that the insurgents are using explosive
bullets. contrary to all International usages:
1t Is reported that the insurgent band of
Pancho Garlic has been seen passing near
Remedies. The united bands of Mirabel.
Tumba, Cuatro and Jesus Perez have
burned the bridges over the River seco and
Ara and Rojas. going by the Platro road
to Puerto Principe. At II o'clock at night
they were near Puerto Principe. 1t is
also reported that six miles from
Santo Domingo. in Santa Clara, there
Gus armed cavalry band, numbering 1900
men, said to be in command of Lacret and
going in an easterly direction. Maxine Co.
meZ. also with numerous band, has passed
from Placetas by Villa Clara and near to
Santo Domingo, going in the direction of
Cienfuegos. 1t is supposed that Lacret is
endeavoring to form a junction with Co.
meZ.
Lieutenant Colonel Zubia has captured a
subprefect of Santo Domingo named San
tiago Nunez, who ds supposed to have been
intrusted with an important mission by the
insurgents.
General Bernal will probably return to
Spain on May 20. He is thoroughly dis
gusted
Civil Justice Romulo villahermosa has
been selected to hear the case of Lorato
Cepero, said to be an insurgent leader, and
an American citizen, who was captured on
board the Spanish steamship Gloria in jan
uary last while on his way from Cenfuegos,
province of Santa Clara, to Batabano, this
province, with important communications
from the insurgents in Santa Clara to Co
mez and Maceo.
Captain General Weyler has prolonged in
definitely the period given to the insurgents
in which to surrender and obtain pardon for
their offenses.
General Barges has arrived from Santiago
de Cuba for a conference with Captain
General Weyler.