The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-02
That Is the Reason the Consul
General Resigned.
ne INSISTED ON FAIR TRIALS
0uickfy Became Persona Won Grata
-Ssnwutlly,s Case Similar to Re-
pcnted Violations of the Treaty
OF 1Ta5-No Trouble Between Will
liams and Gresham Secretary
otney Asked tn Intercede for os-
car Cespedes. am American Ina
prisoned in Nantansas.

New York. Dec. s-Ramon O. Williams.
ex-consul general OF the United States al
Havana arrived at his home IN Brooklyn
today from 8 trip through England.
France and Spain. he consented 10 talk
for xhs first time concerning the cireuw-
stances OF his resignation OF Office last
year. which was surrounded BY such mys-
terry. and the circumstances OF which have
nos been made pubic before.
There was talk al the time that MIR. VIII
iiams and Secretary OF State Gresham dif-
fered regarding the policy OF this govern
ment toward American cstszens, hut Gen.
Williams declined 10 discuss that point.
He said that his resignation was given be-
cause hts activity IN the cases of American
citizens under arrest made him persona
non grata 20 the Spanish government and
made hrs residence in Havana unpleasant.
The particular episode In which Mr. VIII
lisms incurred tho dislike Of Spain, ne
says. was his tnsistence that Sanguilly.
Aguirre and Garlic. who were arrested
February "a. 1894. insurgents and court
naartialed. should he tired in the evil
courts under article OF the treaty Of fTaa.
Mr.. Williams said:
Both the captain general aud the in
sular secretary OF state were entirely iE-
norant OF the existence OF article = The
captain general became offended because
! demanded the transfer from military
case was reported in such manner TO
the Madrid government as 10 almost pro-
woke the revocation OF my exequatur-
Il was guided In thls by a recollection
of similar cases which had come under
my notice in Cuba. l was a young man.
employed ss clerk in Havana. Ia 1881.
when the Critienden men were snof re-
gardless of the treaty OF 1875. was
merchant in Havana when the Ntrginius
men were shot, in 1873, an almost similar
case.
Again. while was there Zeccanea an
Tfalfan-Amsriean citizen. who had gone.
representing certain spanish elements, 10
negotiate terms OF peace with the iusur-
gents IN the eastern department curing
tho last insurreetion in lSsN and VINO Was
arrested by the Spanish forces, was tried
by court martial, condemned 70 death and
shot In Fort tahanas. where San&uiiiS
and the Competitor prisoners are row
held, regardless OF the safeguards OF the
treaty OF 1875. and the safe eondnct given
him by the spanish minister AZ Washing
ton. The recollection OF these cases en-
abled me to make quick and earnest de-
Tense OF those men. and Il Was this action
my part that gave oncnse 10 the span
ish government
II was then in Washington. Acting on
the ruie that no man OF self-FeNpett would
wsnt 70 return e or enter any place
where he believes he l. persona non grs,ta.
and therefore, not welcome. ! resolved not
10 continue longer ~ the position ol cer-
sui general to the Island. and sisnined my
desire TO resign The circumstances, how
ever. were of such a character that went
hack 10 Havat1a. resumed charge of the
cffire and continued the defense OF san
gully until the case was transferred 10
the civil courts.
"A few weeks before this an American
citizen Jose Cepro. who had been arrest
ed and subjected 10 court-martial, and
several ether American citizens. had been
treated the same way, IN consequence
OF which was not able 80 present my
resignation IN due form. until February.
1856.
Mr.. Williams said that he returned to
Havana only on the earnest solicitation or
President Cleveland himself. and added
that Secretary Greshan's subsequent Ill
ness and death occurred too soon 10 ad-
init of his personally making an expiana-
ton to the secretary OF the matter.
Oluey Is Asked 10 Rescue Cespedes.
Key West Dec. f.--Isetters received from
Cuba say that young Oscar ce~pes1es. an
American citizen and correspondent Of a
Key West newspaper. who ha. been con-
fined in prison tn Mafanzas for several
months will be tried by court-marttaL
cespedes IL accused of being a islshusier.
and although an American citizen, his
friends here fear that he VIII be coa-
demned to death and executed. Ills case
Is similar TO that Of ona Melton. news
paper correspondent who has been CON
fined IN the Cabanas fortress for the last
nine months Both Cases have been fa-
ported TO Secretary Oiney with the re-
quest that he Intervene In their behalf as
American citizens. Melton has tiist had
an attack OF yellow fever and Is very
weak. II Is feared he will die unless
speedily released.
Cuha Puzzle. Cleveland.
Washington. Dec. las there viii be
only one more regular cabinet meeting
before the assembling Of congress all
members we're present az today meeting
10 discuss these portions Of the forthcom-
ing message Of the president relating 20
the business OF their respective depart
rnents Tire message = practically CON-
riete except az reiafes 20 fhe Cuban ques-
ton. The varying phases of the campaign
In cuba have made II necessary 20 change
considerably the views President ElfTe-
land and Secretary Oiney desire 10 lay BE-
fore congress. Probably not until the very
lazt moment VIII the missing paragraph
be supplied of course, any expression of
opinion a. 20 the presidents views ra-
<pcctfng Cuba are ouly speculative ~
present, hut 80 far there can he found no
warrant FOR the assumption tnss he has
-