The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-06-29
WILL BE CONVICTED.
The Retrial For Competitor Pris-
oners Placed For July Is.
AFRAID TO RELEASE THEM.
spanish Magistrate Asserts That spain
VIII Find Them Guilty, bat That
They Will Not Bs Executed
or Dsportsd. but Confined.

New York. June 2s-A dispatch 10
the Journal from Havana says: Con-
sui General Lee has finally been Off
clally notified that Ona Melton. the
American newspaper correspondent.
Capt Laborde and others belonging TO
the captured American schooner Com
poiitor. and one or two Americans in
oarcerated with them In the Cabanas
fortress. will be called for public trial
July Is; the hearing will go before
civil judges and judgment will be en-
tlrely based on the declarations pre-
yiously made within the walls Of the
military prison and on evidence taken
by a government Official or crown
prosecutor. acting on behalf OF the
Spanish admiralty and war depart
ment The court will listen 10 no new
testimony save in support Of the writ
ten declaration already fled
Geo. Ferran. the only witness the
Competitor were permitted 20 call In
their behalf was arrested Immediately
after his examination, and Is stlll a
prisoner. Ills sworn statement was
that the vessel was beyond the three
mile limit and had the American aag
at her masthead when fired upon and
seized. This statement displeased the
spanlards. and Ferran was therefore
detained and charged with perjury.
Consul General Lee as yet has re-
eelved no instructions from washing.
ton 20 employ counsel 10 defend the
prisoners. A Spanish magistrate said
that the men would undoubtedly be
found guilty again and sentenced 10
death or TO long terms OF lmprlson-
ment. but he added Their friends
need not fear their being executed or
deported. Our people are too dlplo-
matte thus 10 force Americas hand.
We're the men shot popular lndlgna-
ton In the United States would compel
Mckinley 10 act on the other hand
were they declared innocent or par
doneL. spanish sentiment might drive
the judges and magisters and minister
from the bench and ofiee But they
can be kept as prisoners indefinitely In
Cabanas.
Through judicial and diplomatic red
tape their cases may be appealed and
tried as often as diplomacy may re-
Quire until the war here Is ended and
the passions OF the two nations have
cooled. Then they may expec, liberty
but not before"
The rebel generals. Rivera and Ba.
calloa, will not be- shot Weyier has
a cahlegram from the minister of uaI
/ Azcariaga to indefinitely suspend the
court martial sences 90 death pending
the close OF hostillties." when theli
pardon may be expected.
! Weylor himself has taken no sten.
% stop the court martial and shootinl
of other less important prisoners o
war during the last lhree dnys Al
Maianzas. Sagua. Santa Clara. Sanct
splritus, Cieniuegos and plnar del Rl,
dozens OF executions occurred.
Al Sagua two Cuban girls. Ros,
Prieto and losepha Borges. accused o.
sending out clothes 10 their brother
hghting under Chief Roban. were con
yioted Of aiding the rebellion and sen
fenced by a military court respective
ly to twelve and six months imprison
ment In the African penal colonies.
Leading Havana newspapers com
menting on Canovas Cuban reform hil
insist that according TO be provisions
the franchise will be extended 90 Iowa
spaniards only aud viii exclude ca
bans who bore arms against Spain am
those suspected of having aided o
ahctted the present revolt. or who wer
known 90 have expressed sympath,
with H.