Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1896-05-15
THEY THIRST FOR BLOOD
sPANIARDs DEMAND EXECUTION
OF COMPETITOR PARTY.
Indignation Toward the u. >. Con-
sui mt Havana for Alleged
Interference.

the attitude of the United states govern
ment on the question of the fllibusterers
captured on board the Competitor The
riots and outbreaks of popular hatred
toward the United States at the time of
the passage of the resolution favoring
the recognition of the Cubans as belllger
ents have not been forgotten. and the
sentiments wnlcn caused them are but
smouldering.
The Spanish government has on all pos
sible occasions expressed Its apprecia-
ton of and satisfaction with the efforts
made by the United States government to
prevent, as far as lay in its power. the
giving of unlawful aid to the Cuban in
surgent citizens of the United States. But
the widespread sympathy felt for the in
surgents in the United States is well
recognized by the Spanish people, and
the news of the expeditions from the
United States landed from time to time
in Cuba creates intense irritation.
The news Of the capture of the men
on the Competitor was received with great
satisfaction and rejoicing. 1t was felt
to be the first opportunity that had been
offered to make an example Of those en-
gagged in feeding the Instruction. The
eral and is likely to become vociferous.
Little account Is taken of the refined
questions of treaty interpretations in
volved In the protest of the United States
government against the execution of the
sentences. The action Of the United
States is regarded rather as an expires
sion of sympathy with the instruction
and there will be a strong popular clamor
to disregard 1t.
The public feeling on the subject is fos-
tered by the tenor of the advices receiv-
ed from Havana. Dispatches from there
affirm that Captain General Weyler is
greatly irritated at the attitude of the
United States on the question Of the sen
tence. 1t Is asserted that If the Spanish
government adopts a contrary view ow-
ing to the representations made by the
United States government, Weyler will
resign his position. Allegations are made
in these Havana dispatches of very OK
traordinary conduct on the part of Ramon
o. Williams, the United States consul gen
eral If these are not true they are, new
ertheless certain to add fuel to the fire of
popular indignation in Spain. The story
goes on to relate that the United States
consul general shows himself everywhere
in public places in Havana, using irrtat-
ing and menacing language regarding the
probable action of the United States to-
ward the authorities in case the sentences
upon the Competitor captives are exc
cuted.
The Imperlale. commenting on the at
titude Of the United States, says that u
man accused of acts of piracy admitted
before a courtmartial in Havana that the
America police made a point of vanishing
when filibustering expeditions for Cuba
were about to leave Key West.
The Ell Liberal declares the Spanish
government ought to have sent a squad
ron to Cuba in addition to armng all the
| transatlantic steamboats, at it's disposal
| for that service.
This newspaper asserts that the steam
| err Bermuda, belonging to the Cuban in
| surgent committee. embarked upon the
| Florida coast 10000 rifles, six pieces of
| artillery. three mitrailleus, quantity
| of munitions of war and 800 men, the ma
| jority Of which were gunners Of the United
States militia, for the supply of the in
surgent forces in Cuba. This embarka-
ton took place. the FL Liberal says, in
| spite of the protests of the Spanish consul
at Jacksonville against allowing it, and
the Bermuda left without difficulty or OBJ
struction. and according to kilograms re-
ceived from Captain General Weyler, the
expedition has already landed.
| This report has created a sensation in
Madrid and establishment is expressed by
the Ell Liberal at the conduct of the
| United States in the matter.
| At a meeting of the conservative sena.
tors and deputies on Saturday evening the
| premier, Senior Canovas del Castillo de.
clared 1t would be impossible to introduce
reforms for Cuba before the situation
there had become normal again. He ad
mitted that the Spanish arms alone would
fail to terminate the war, but he said hi
believed that the encouragement of tn.
insurgents and the prevalence of racia
hatred among them would contribu.,
largely to the cessation of hostilties.
1t has become known that the Births,
consul has also interviewed, in the nam,
of his government, in behalf OF the Com
petitor's captives sentenced TO death. FL
invokes cdemency for the prisoners.
This action of the British government
In the case has caused a sensation here
and 1t has been the topic of comment to
day by all social classes in the commu
nifty. 1t would be difficult to say, from
any admissions made In official quarters
what effect this new development will
| have in the case. There is a marked alb
sence of irritation manifested in the com
ments on the subject, and the action o
the British official seems to have bee
taken in very good part.
1t Is pointed out that the Intervention
of the British consul is couched in yer
different form from that of the Unite
States consul general and is. in fact ex
pressed in very friendly terms. invokin
the clemency of the Cuban authorize.
The question of the execution of the car
tives OF the Competitor is recognized to b
one of the most important which has oc
Cured since the insurrection broke gu
. | Now that the question has been referre
to the government at Madrid the situatio
here has quieted down, though there is n
cessation OF interest and discussion of tn
question.
/. All of the comments OF the press man
fest the deep impression made upon tn
public mind by the action of the Unite
States towards the sentence of the Con
b pctitor captives.
A later dispatch from Havana confirm
the report that General Weyler h'
threatened to resign unless the sentence
are carried out.
The Apoca also says the attitude of Il
president of the United States and M
Olney appears to be incredible and i
clares the theory ascribed to Mr.. Oln
by the New York World deserves no SCI
GUS reply because the offense can new
- be regarded as a question of coptraban
II according to the principles Of internatio