The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1896-12-11
DENIED A CIVIL TRIAL.
Competitor Prisoners to Be
Tried by Naval Court.

Tried by Naval Court.
FERERA TURNS STATES EVIDENCE
Captain General Weyler Has Promised to
! Pardon Him on Condition That He Sup
/ ply Testimony to Convict His Late Com
| panions-POpe Favors French Educators.
| An American Filibuster Killed.
New YORK, Dec. 8.-A Havana spe-
cial to the World says: There is abso-
lutely no foundation for the report that
the new trial accorded to the Competi-
tor prisoners by the supreme court at
Madrid will be by civil court. The re-
hearing will be by ordinary naval court
martial, which means that the evidence
and declarations now being taken be-
fore Naval Commissioner Saul, within
the walls of Cabanas castle, will be con-
sidered in open court later or at the
arsenal, or such other point as the ad-
miralty may direct, by high naval Off
GERS especially designated to pass formal
Judgment thereon. Public notice was
given a fortnight or more ago, through
the Gazette officials, summoning wit
nesses for the defense to appear before
the naval commissioner and file their
dispositions.
One man, George Ferrera, who pre-
sented himself, was at once placed under
arrest and charges have since been
brought against him as an accompiice.
This has called forth new protest from
the American consulate here, The
most damaging evidence against the
Competitor men as yet obtained by the
prosecution is from Theodore Waze,
himself a member of the expedition, hut
who has declined American protection.
He declared that he was loyal subject
and turned states evidence. Admiral
Navarro and Captain General Weyler
have promised to pardon him on condi-
ton that he supply them with evidence
to convict his late companions.
Letter From Melton.
The World also prints the following
letter from Ona Melton, one Of the Com
petitor prisoners, dated Nov 25 The
letter was smuggled out of the Cabanas
prison: ''The Competitor case was con-
tinued yesterday, the 24th. DR.. Cedia,
Captain Laborda and Jorge Ferran were
taken successively to the "Curte de Fan
deras," where they were required to
make deposition on certain portions of
the testimony in the presence Of Teodoro
Waza, the man who was refused the
protection of the United States, claim
ing to be a loyal Spaniard. The depo.
sitions were taken by Lieutenant Fer.
nandez Lopez Sault of the navy, judge
instructor. If convenient to you I will
be much obliged to you if you will
make public this move in ou1
case to the American wise consul
MIR. Springer, or some one in the con
sulate. Antonio Lopez Colama is to be
shot here in the morning; if so will per
haps know it by the time you get this
He was brought here yesterday from
Moro castle, with his arms bound anG
under close guard. Prisoners are
brought here from Moro castle to be
shot. I have learned from Colonel Ern
este Jerez Verona, who is one of my
cellmates, that Coloma was the firs1
leader to raise to arms in Mantazas
province in the war. He left Ibarrs
with a small party of men on Feb. "a
1895, and a few days later was captured
Martinez Campos would not execute
Coloma, but now, after 81 months have