San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-05-18
OUR CONSUL is PLUCKY.
WILLIAMS, OF CUBA, THE RIGHT
MAN RIGHT NOW.
His Prompt Action Alone Saved the Heads
Of the Competitors Grew
and Its People

NEW 1ORh, May 1c.-A speCldl
to the Herald from Havana says:
The action of Consul General Will
liams in protesting against the
method of the trial OF prisoners OF
the American schooner Compete
tor, adopted by the authorities, is
worth more than a passing men,
ton. Before the court martial
closed, Consul General Williams
letter of protest was read. The
representative OF the United States
quoted the treaties existing be-
tween the United States and
denied the right OF the latter to
try American citizens and others
sailing under the American flag by
other than civil laws. Even in
the latter case they claim that
they must be dealt with according
to the usual manner and not by
drumhead court martial. He de-
manded that they be given
proper trial and allowed to sum-
mon witnesses and engage counsel.
The decision of Admiral Navarro
chief OF the naval tribunal in Cuba
ruling Consul General Williams
protest as out of order and without
ground, was also read and noted.
Within three hours after the court
martial closed its mem bers sent to
Admiral Navarro sealed verdict
which was Immediately opened
and approved by the naval chief.
The sentence of all the five pris-
oners to death, in accordance with
the verdict, has signed and prepa-
rations were made to have them
shot. Receiving no satisfactory re-
Spouse from the admiral, not even
an Invitation to attend the proceed
ings, neither Consul General Will
liams nor any attache Of his office
being present at the court martial
nor was he allowed to see the pris-
oners until after the trial had
closed. Mr.. Williams said: "If
you shoot then, my government in
structs me to close its consulate
here and demand my passports.
We shall most certainly hold you
and your government responsible
should these prisoners be executed
before our protest be given due
consideration"
When Consul General Williams
bowed himself out of the captain
generals presence and drove back
to his office the excitement that
followed at the palace became al
most indescribable. The president
and judges of the Supreme Civil
court OF the island, the leaders Of
the different parties and the man
ayers OF the Spanish bank were
called into consultation by Captain
General Weyler and Admiral Ma
varro. The majority Of these per-
sonages advised the authorizes to
suspend the execution pending
higher instructions from Madrid.
General Weyler said no, that If
the mon were not executed he
would resign. He so telegraphed
the Spanish ministry 1t is reported.
In the meantime 1t appears
the United States was through
Minister Taylor bringing pressure
to bear also at Madrid. Orders
came from Spain to suspend all
proceedings and directing the cap
tain, general and admiral to trans
init all documents In the case to
Madrid for consideration by the
Supreme Military and Navy court.
Gen. Weyler, it is understood, was
told to wait for q more opportune
time to give up his command, as
for political and diplomatic rea.
son the government could not az
ford to have him resign. The con-
sui general and minister at Mad
rid had succeeded in getting the
prisoners respited at least a month
or six weeks.