New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-09
LUIS SOMEILLAN'S TRIAL.
sPANIARDs FIND MEANING IN AN AL
LEGGED CIPHER MESSAGE

wEYLER is SATISFIED WITH HIS RECENT
cAMPAIaN-THE NATURE OF SOME CUBAN
REFORMS - TERRIBLE MORTALITY
Havana. Jan. S.--The trial of Luis someillan.
an American citizen on the charge OF conspiring
against the Spanish Government. began at 1
o'clock this afternoon There was a large at
tendance OF spectators. Consul-Generai Lee.
who recently said he thought the evidence
against the accused was very feeble, was present.
After the usual premnaries. the charges were
read alleging that Someilan was an agent here
OF the Cuban Junta. and was in league with
others to overthrow the Spanish authority in
Cuba. AS in the case Of Julio Sanguy. recently
convicted Of conspiracy. the defence protested
against the formation of the tribunal. arguing
that the prisoner should be tried by six judges
according to the law Of 1921. instead Of five. the
number composing the court. The objection was
overruled.
Then followed the reading Of the evidence OBJ
tained at the preliminary proceedings. from
which 1t appeared that Someillan received a code
message from Key West, which the prosecution
claimed referred to the landing of fllibustering
expedition. The telegram which was read. was
as follows:
Tell Alfredo to advise Jose Maria Matilde
marriage Thursday. Advise IL will be present"
The inference that this was cipher message
borne out by instructions that were found
on the prisoner when he was arrested
Someillan was placed the witness-stand
and testified that the telegram was intended
for his cousin Jose. to whom it was delivered.
He declared that he never mixed in politics.
and had no connection with the rebels.
Witnesses were called by the prosecution. but
their evidence weak. they testifying to
nothing that would support the charge against
the prisoner. The court then adjourned until
tomorrow.
A delegation waited upon Governor General
Weyler to-day. to compliment him upon his con-
duct of the campaign against the insurgents.
In replying to the delegation General Weyler
said he ignored the attacks made upon him by
certain newspapers in Madrid. These attacks.
were due to unjustifable mpatience He was
satisfied that the campaign in the Province OF
PInar del Rio had given better results than
was expected. not only to the triumphs of the
troops over the rebels, but also in the small
losses sustained by the army. He hoped that
Gomez. the rebel leader. would come to the
Province of Havana. Should he do so. he would
surely meet his end
WEYLER BELIEVES HIMSELF SECURE.
General Weyle- further said that ne attached
no importance 10 the Tuf1OTS tIldl He " do " NC
deprived OF the command in Cuba. II he were
recalled others would do as well. II not better,
than he had done.
In conclusion General Weyler recommended
patience and prudence. ard urged that all those
loya, to Spain should do their best TO support
her With union, he declared, the desired re-
suits would be attained
General Bosch reports the arrival at bayamo
of the convoy which the rebels attempted 10
capture while on its way. The convoy went by
way of the CautO River. General Bosch says
that the insurgents lost over two hundred men
killed or wounded in the Iona Sordo engage
ment
London Jan. S-"The Standards Madrid
correspondent telegraphs that the Government
has already formulated DEGREES granting re-
forms which will be put into effect as soon as
General Weyler announces the pacification or
the provinces Of Havana and Matanzas and the
security Of crops IN half the island IS assured
It is understood that under the scheme OF re-
form all the services In the island Will be placed
under the direction of a council OF adminstra-
ton which is about to be created, but every
thing concerning the army and navy. justice.
taxation and tariffs will be retained by Spain.
The Cuban and Porto Rican deputies will con-
tinue to sit in the Cortes. The councils in both
Cuba and Porto Rico will be consulted concern
ing the budgets and taxation. and their views
Will be submitted to the CorteS. The Govern
ment expects that this scheme will concate a
majority Of the Cubans and improve the rela-
lions with the United States.
The "Heraldo," az an instance Of the death
rate and the sickness among the soldiers in
Cuba says that column Of 1000 men sent TO
the island at the beginning of November num-
bered only 700 at the end Of that month Many
other columns show similar losses from death
ard sickness.