The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-05-19

The representative Of the United States
quoted the treaties existing between the
United State. and Spain, and denied the
right of the latter to try Americen citi-
zens and others sailing under the Americ-
an flag by other than civil hands, adding
that even in the latter case they must be
judged by ordinary, and not by drumdead
military and naval courts, and be per-
mittcd to employ legal counsel and pre-
sent witnesses in evidence. A note by
the Judge advocate general, which had
also been indorscd by Admiral Navarro,
the highest naval officer of Spain in Cuba,
ruling Consul General Williams protest
as without good ground and out of order,
was also read and noted.
Preparations for the Executions.
Within three hours after the court-mar-
tial closed its session, at Il special meeting
in the afternoon, its members sent to Ad-
miral Navarro "A sealed verdict, which was
Immediately opened and approved by the
naval chief. The sentences of all five pris-
oncrs to death, in accordance with the YER
diet, were signed at once, and preparations
were made TO have the men shot Receiv-
ing no satisfactory response from the adj
miral, nor even an invitation To attend
the proceedings, neither Consdl General
Williams nor any attache of his Office was
present at the court martial, nor was he
allowed to sec the prisoners until after the
trial had closed. Naturally, he laid the
whole case before the state department at
Washington by wire early, and received
instructions IA prompt as energetic. When
these arrived he went directly to the pal
ace. where n stormy interview with Cap
tain General Weyler occurred. The cap
tain general told Consul General Williams
that if the men had been convicted as the
latter supposed, they would most certain
ly be shot at sunrise the following morn.
ing despite any protest the United states
might make.
Williams Makes Threat.
'If you shoot them," said Mr.. Williams
''my government instructs me to close its
consulate here and demand my passports,
as shall most certainly hold you and
your government responsible should these
prisoners be executed before our protest is
given due consideration.
When Consul General Williams bowed
himself out of the captain generals pres
ence and drove back To his Office the ex-
citement that followed at the palace be-
came almost indcscrbable The president
and Judges of the supreme civil tribunal
of the island. the chairmen of the leading
conservative parties, and the managing
director of the Spanish bank were called
into consultation by Captain General Wey-
Ter and Admiral Navarro The majority
of these personagcs advised the authorities
to suspend the execution, pending higher
instructions from Madrid.
TeIcgraphed to spain.
General Weyler said no; if the men
were not executed he would resign. He
So tclegraphed the Spanish ministry, IL Is
reported In the meantime, itappears the
United States, through Minister Taylor,
was bringing pressure to bear also at Mad
rid Orders came from Spain To suspend
all proceedings and directing the cap
tain general and admiral to transmit all
| documents in the case to Madrid for CON
sderation there by the supreme military
| and naval council and cabinet. General
Weylcr, il is said, also received message
telling him to await a more opportune
moment to give up his command, as for
| diplomatic reason the government could
| not afford at this crisis To have him sud
| denly resign. Consul General Williams
| had won The transfer of the case to
| Madrid will give the prisoners at least "A
| month or six weeks respite.