The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-07
IN A SPANISH PRISON
Two Hundred and Twelve Suspects in Two
Vermln Infected Cells In Moro Castle.
FURNISHED WATER IN KEROSENE CANS
Americans Lnnguish Behind Prison
Spaniards-A Roy Charged With
BEING u Rcbel-Prisoners of War
CourfmnrtiRIcd nud Shot.

Havana, April 6, via Tampa, Fla, April
6.-Two hundred and twleve men are
confined in two cells of MORO Castle
They are political prisoners or "sus-
poets" awaiting trial. Some have been
there week, some q month, some
year. Two are American citizens, one
is British subject. There is boy of Il
years born in Spain and not long enough
IN this country TO dream of rebellion
against the Government. There are men
bowed in years, young men, merchants
professional men. cl;rks and farm labor
ers. all gathered in and thrown together
with little or no evidence of having aided
or taken part in the insurrection. In
the Cabanas fortress close by and i'm
prisons all over the Island. ane other
unfortunates. Two thousand, three
thousand, perhaps four thousand, alto
gther, for no man may know how many
people Spain has behind the bars al this
a@ime @ in Cuba. But of these
elgners. newspaper correspondents and
tourists are supposed to be shut out of
spanish prisons. but relatives and friends
are admitted 10 MORO Castle on SUNDAYS
and Wednesdays. On one of these DAYS
recently visitor crossed the row boat
ferry from Havana to the landing no.
tween the Habanas and Morro Castle
walked along the paved approach to the
castle and passed within the old battle
meirS. Spanish soldiers to the number
of'2oO lounged around the entrance and
courtyard. About half of them were on
duty. In the cantre OF the court some
htty or sixty visitors were grouped in
front of the two principal cells Guards
kept an open space ten feet wide between
the VISITORS and the barred doors and
windows of the cells. Bundles of cloth
lEg ana food were opened and searched
oy the guards before being passed to the
rtst-cn
behind ths bars and those without had
TO be carried on in loud voice. Wives
spoke encouragcment TO husands end
mothers to sons. and told or efforts be-
ing made to obtain release Each cell
Is twenty fost wide and nearly one hun
ufea ieet deep. The only openings are
al the ends. They are in the lower part
oil building within the outer walls and
uaVlnS the appearance of being intended
for storing supplies. They are damn and
hithy. and are said to be infested with
Hermin. Nothing In the shape of chairs
benches or beds are provided There are
however, hooks for fifty hammocks in
each room. Friends of the prisoners
supply the hammocks but as there are
lOS men in one room and 10i in the other
over half the number compelled to sleep
on the stone floor
Water Is furnished twice n day i'm
square cans, which once contained kero-
sene oil. Regular army rations are serv-
ed. The sanitary arrangements are vile
Many men are taken from these cells
TO the hospitals before the slow moving
authorities see fit TO try their cases.
one or the prisoners is LandislatO
Quintero. an American citizen, one of
the peaceful residents of Guatao. who
was taken prisoner in his own house
anu shot in the arm after capture. He
never took part in the insurrection. His
Wiie iiled statement of his case with
the American Consul six weeks ago
Another prisoner is Manuel Francisco
Asuerre. He claims to be an American
ctlzen, and, though he was arrested in
July. 1895. the American Consul said
he had never heard of the case until I
laid 1t before him. Aguerre is a general
agent of the manager of travelling
circus. is 60 years old. has only one arm
ana there are only three fingers on his
remaining hand. He speaks fair Eng
lish. and says he has visited the United
States yearly to obtain features for his
circus, and lived there at one time for
five years, when he took out citizenship
papers. He says that he has taken no
part In the present war, and was arrest
ed In Guara. Havana province, July Z
of last year. He states that his citi-
zenship papers were left with Mr..
Bllletra. acting Vice-Consul at SaEua
during the absence of Daniel Mullin.
He says he cannot get his papers back
from Sagua. as Mr.. Beletra and Mr.
Mullin are no longer there. Consul
General Williams has agreed to write
to Sagua to learn If Aguerro is registered
there as an American citizen.
Nearly all of the 212 prisoners are
white. One Is n lad of II. who was a
clerk In store in a small town in Hay-
ana province. He lost his position and
was walked along the highway to Hav-
ana when arrested and charged with be-
ing Il rebel. In the easements of the
Morrow are other political prisoners be-
sides the 2l2 and in Cabanas. Sanguilly,
the only American who has had a trial
Is confined. His case has been appealed
as the evidence did not warrant convic-
tion. Cephero, another American who
has been In the Cabanas two months.
Is now at th0 Presidios prison.
Havana, and will be taken to Santa
Clara for trial The two Someilles, ia
ther and son. have been released after
about six weeks in prison, there being
no evidence against them. They are
american citizens. and are well known
IN the Tobacco trade. Walter Grant Dy-
CERT, the American in Guines Jail. about
whom the Senate has questioned the
state Department. was arrested and
identified by the Spanish officials, as the
rebel leader EEL Ingnsdto," the little
Englisman, but as the latter is still! fight
Ing at the head Of the Insurgent column
Dyssrt Is now said to be another Inglesi-