The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1897-07-16
IN AN OPEN BOAT.
The Peri!ous Voyage of Twelve Cubans. Their
Arrival in Jamaica.

hiIlSStol, Ja, july o. Twelve Cu'
bans, the last survivors of ali insurgent
camp in the province Of Camagua
reached Rio Nuevon, a little port on
the north side of the island few DAYS
ago in an open boat They were in a
terrible condition of exhaustion as
they had been seventy hours in making
the passage. The little craft which had
been constructed in the camp just be-
fore their departure, was found to leak
in several places, but, owing to the
high winds and the heavy seas, the ref
ugees were compelled to take turns at
bailing her in order to keep from being
swamped. Again and again they were
on the verge Of destruction, the waves
washing over the boat and filling her
to the very thwalts. After three days
of constant anxiety and struggling they
managed. to put in at Rio Nuevo in a
pitiable condition.
1t is suspected by the authorities here
that some of the names given by the
men are fictitious and that among the
party are several important revolu-
tionary leaders who have business in
New York and who are travelling in
cognito. 1t will be remembered last
year that Darlos Rolof, the leading
manager of an expedition to Cuba ar
rived in Jamaica unde' the nom de
guerre of Charles Roberts and de-
scribed himself as an American jour
nalist. 1t was not until after his de-
parture for Cuba that the Spanish con-
sui in Kingston became aware of his
zeal character. Whether the suspi-
cions of the government are well found
ed or not, it is hard to say at present,
but in a few days the real facts will
probably become known.
Of the Twelve men composing the
part four are inval;ds. DR.. Vieta is
now lying in Kingston, tenderly cared
for by the local Cubans suffering from
sickness induced by months of trials
and privations. Another has bullet
wound in the thigh; a third a bayonet
wound in the should and a fourth is
not expected to recover from an inter
nal complaint aggravated by the severe
effects of the voyage. But their spir
its are not daunted. Gleefully they talk
of the successes of the rebels and of
the defeats of the Spaniards. Their
privations and sutterings are, they say,
as nothing compared with what the
Spanish troops are undergoing. In an
with the Associated Press
correspondent they complained bitterly
of the actions of the British officials,
for the visiting health officer had arbi-
trarily seized number of important
letters and dispatches designed for the
Cuban junta in New York. They had
protested against this action, but the
officials replied that breach of the
postal regulations act had been com
nitted and that the letters must be
orfeited as penalty. Nearly eighty
etters were taken from DR.. Vieta alone
md there is no prospect of any of them
,ver reaching teeir destinati N.
My first inquiry was with reference
o the rumor that General Maximo Go
nez had been killed. This was treat
ID by all the patriots as simply Ca
lard circulated by the Spanish in the
lope of pursuadng few deserters to
oin their ranks. "The revolutions"
aid Morena, 'is principally confined .
It the present moment to the Orient
nd Camagua provinces. The Spanish
re in possession of one or two small
laces, but they suffer very severely
rom the want offood and ammunition.
heir camps are deciminated by sick {
ess and numbers are desertng every
ay to join the ranks of the insur !
ents." l
DR.. .Vieta says that the Cuban troops !
re in good heath, and have good q
lpply of food and ammunition. All II
re well armed and the principal diff
ulty is to keep them in clothing. !
The election of a president was COM 2
lenced in the month of May, and e
,ere has been a genuine display of
atriotic feeling on the subject among
le Cubars. The result will not be e.
lade known until September. The d
lnd,dates are General Garcia, General Il
.asso and Seymour Capolo. DR. s
ernandez is also among the nomi- t.
Pea, q