The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-09
Ramon Pardo. Of the Spanish navy. to act
- counsel for the prisoners and to defend
them ct their trial

Ramon Pardo. OF the Spanish navy. to act
- counsel Tor the prisoners and to DEFEND
them 1T their trial.
OUR coNsUL-GENERAL's EFFORTS.
The prosecutor afterwards read a let
ter addressed Dy United States Consul
general Ramon o. Williams to Admiral Ma
varro. In which Mr.. Williams stated that
he had heard OF the capture Of the COMPETE
tor, an American pilot boat, and that 1t
was supposed that some OF the persons cap
tured on board OF her were American citi-
gems. Therefore the Consul-general request
ed information as TO the antecedents OF the
prisoners in order that ne might commune
cate on the subject with the government
at Washington Mr.. Williams also referred
20 the trealy between spaih ana tne Cnlesu
states bearing on the subject and request
ed 10 know the name OF the attorney for
the defense. While awaiting the action OF
the marine authorities who were TO handle
the matter Mr. Williams protested against
the prisoners being tried by summary court
martial. holding that they should DC tried
before an ordinary court, In accordance
with treaty obligations.
In another document. dafeds-April 30, Mr..
Williams requested permission TO speak
ings we're pending. To this reply was sent
10 the effect that even II the accused were
Americans they were being proceeded
against, and the pilot boat was captured
because they were taking part in expe-
diticn against Cuba, and because the
schooner did not carry a flag, and landed
arms, ammunition, ETC., on the island or
Cuba contrary to the naval and military
laws. and in addition they appeared only
i 70 ms nia,da AN am aleSSd Sontradeion 1s
contained in his letter when he commenced
by saying that he had heard talk about
nrisonsr ~1ou xnoT'ns mo" tegy Ssbe
according TO the authorities here, saying
that he would proceed to .call attention
TO the treaty" ETC. 1t was further pointed
a pfflZQQ4
had inscribed themselves at the consulate
and at the proper government Office. There
fore, the government could not accept Mr..
Wiiliams's protest because he was in error
as TO the right Of the prisoners under the
laws. Mr. Williams was, however, allowed
20 communicate and converse with the pris-
In conformity with the information gath
cred and in accordance with the laws. Adj
mral Navarro, at IL O'Clock last night, for
mally delivered the case for the prisoners
into the hands OF Litutenant Pardo, ap-
pointed attorney for the defense
Lieutenant Butron, recalled, said that ne
could not affirm that the prisoners captured
on board the Competitor fired on the gum
boat. and the pilot OF the Mensajera, also
recalled. declared they had not fired on the
war vessel. and asserted that no cartridges
had been found in their pockets.
The prosecutor thereupon read the formal
act of accusat ton. declaring the prisoners
TO be fillbusters captured in a state of re-
bellon against the Spanish government.
and chasing the competitor as being a Key
West lifeboat. found landing arms and am
munition on the coast OF Cuba. Therefore,
in the name of the King of Spain. the
prosecutor asked that the death sentence
De imposed on all the prisoners.
Lieutenant Pardo, for the defense, said
he did not consider the prisoners should be
treated as being all equally guilty. For
Instance. he said. 1t seemed clear that La
borda and Bedia were more guilty than
Milton and Gildea, and that Milton was only
guilty CT excessive zeal in trying TO obtain
information.
The court-martial adjourned for the day
rived at judgment on the cases before
them
spanfards May Get Into Trouble.
WASHINGTON. May S.-The proceedings
Of the Spanish court-martial in the OF
the men captured on the schooner COMPETE
tor are being closely followed here. and there
is good ground for the fear that unless the
matter Is handled with great discretion it
may result In straining the present friendly
and amicable relations between the United
States and Spain. Strong representations
have been made TO the State Department Oh
the subject and the department certainly will
not fail TO intervene instantly IL IL shall APP
pear that al least all the Americans among
the captives under trial are not treated with
all the privileges accorded by toe rules OF
civilized warfare. Al insistence on this point
would oblige the department to refuse to
sanction the execution OF the Americans,
and although II is not believed yet that there
Is disposition 10 carry the case 10 extremes
there Is some danger that the SpanIards may
feel disposed 10 20 further than prudence
permits In the effort to discourage American
fflibustering parties by harsh treatment of
these. the first to fall into their hands.