The news & observer., 1896-12-30

appears from a report OF the Havana
Consulate that Mr.. DelgadO was made
a prisoner by the Spanish troops in course
of recent military opera tions in the pro-
vince OF Pinar del Rio; that he is report
ed to have belonged to the staff Of the
insurgent Maj. Gen. Maceo, and to have
been in command Of the artillery and
that letter to Mace0 and one from Ma
GEO to the prefect OF Las Tumbas, were
found on his person. 1t being represent
ed to the consulate that Delgado is a
native born American citizen, all the
rights to which he is entitled under our
treaty with Spain and subsequent proto-
col. have been claimed for him"
Mr.. Delgad0 is confined in the mil
taTy hospital Of San AmbrosiO outside
OF Havana. The rights spoken OF in the
statement consist Of a trial by the or
dinary judicial authorities unless the
prisoner ''is taken with arms" Then he
must be tried by a council Of war or
court martial"
VICE-CONSUL SPRINGER COMING.
Havana, Dec. 29.-Mr. Joseph A..
Springer, the United States Vice-ConsuI
General viii leave for the United States
on the steameq Olivctte tomorrow.
An accidental fire has partially des-
trOyed the magnificent tobacco estate Of
Aguada, near Cardenas, the proprietors
Of which are Gabriel and Jose Carol
BY the steamer Santiago tomorrow
there will be sent to Chafarinas thirty
seven political prisoners, and to Fernan-
dopo nine cattle thieves and ffty-hve
Ninigoes.
Two brothers named Fernando and
Amado Pine, who are negroes and ma
turaIzed Americans, charged with being
Ninigoes, and Thomas Amalla, of Colum-
bia, have been expelled from the island.
ANOTHER DENIAL.
Washington, Dee. 29.-From official
sources denial is made Of the state
ment that Spanish Premier, Canoyas, has
sent Secretary Olney a communication
accepting the mediation Of the United
States in carrying out plan Of autonomy
for Cuba. 1t is said that no such letter
has been sent nor has anything Of that
nature passed through the Spanish off,
cialg here. Negotiations towards home
rule have proceeded for some months and
the last phases OF these negotiations in
dicated an enlargement Of the home rule
laws adopted by the Spanish Cortes last
year, but not put into execution.
These enlargements, as exclusively an
nounced by the Associated Press, en-
brace the election OF the entire Cuban
Congress instead Of q mixed Congress of
elected members and Is appointed by
the Queen Regent, and also a complete
control by Cuba Of her tariff.
THE FILIBUSTERS CRIME.
Washington, Dec. 29.-The authorities
Of the Treasury Department and the
Department of Justice expect that the
prosecution of the alleged flibustering
steamer Three Friends, will be under
section $3.50 of the Revised Statutes
Section 52S2 is directed against the arm
ing and mounting Of guns on a vessel
intended to be used against friendly
nation. As those on board the Three
Friends have given circumstantial de-
tails Of the mounting and firing of
Hotchkiss rapd-fring gun it is believed
by officials that section 5282 win apply
to the case. The proceeding against the
vessel is much more severe than in the
case Of libel for fitting out an expedition.
The statute provides that on conviction
the vessel and all tackle, stores, etc,
shall be forfeited to the United States.