The record-union., 1897-01-02

InaI 1l1ty-One men comprising the I'LL
clustering expedition recently landed
upon a desert key by the steamship
Three Frineds have been drowned. The
men were hastily put ashore on the
barren island after the Three Friends
had been pursued by Spanish gunboats,
with which the filibus tering steamship
had an exchange of shots, and the
cargo of arms and ammunition, proviS-
ions, etc, on board the steamship were
also landed with the men. The Three
Friends, being closely pursued by the
Spanish war vessels, was compelled to
put the men ashore on this barren
island or take them back to the United
Stats, and it was in making an attempt
to leave the island, the dispatch says,
that they were drowned.
The dtzpatch also states that thirty
six rifles which the filibusters had
with them We're lost in the sea.
NEW YORK, Jan. 1.-Cubans in this
city scout the report of the drowning of
the members of the Three Friends ex-
pedition. They note the fact that the
news comes by way of Madrid, though
the island is not far from Key West,
and such a disaster must of a certainty
if true, have reached there. DR.. Cos
tillo of the Cuban Junta said: 1.-THE re-
port is ridiculous. There is no truth in
ii. It is a pure fabrication. We know
where our men are They are all right"
THE EXPEDITION LANDED.
JACKSONVILLE F1a), Jan. l.
There is no longer any doubt that the
Three Friends expedition was landed
on Florida Key after the vessel had
been chased from the Cuban coast by a
Spanish patrol boat.
A telegram from Mama says that the
Dauntless reached there last night and
went on to No Name Key, where a
large body of men are reported TO be
wrecked, and that two of their number
are reported to be dead. A telegram
from Key West says that when the
steamship City Of Richmond passed No
Name Key the Dauntless was then
taking on board a party of men and a
cargo.
The Three Friends is still in custody
of the Collector of Customs. No legal
proceedings have yet been instituted
against the vessel or crew.
The statement sent from Madrid or
the drowning of fffty-one men landed
on Florida Key by the steamship Three
Friends is declared by the Cubans here
10 be a mistake. J. A. Huau, agent OF
the Junta, says if the story was true ne
would have been SO informed.
HAD A ROUGH EXPERIENCE.
NEW YORK, Jan. 1.-The following
letter written by a correspondent on
hoard the Three Friends prior to the
on al
shores, explains itself:
ION BOARD FILIBUSTER, Dec. ~.
Via Key West Fla-), Dec. 29.-The
expedition carried by the steamship
Three Friends from Ferdinanda on the
night of December 18th, failed in its
two attempts TO land. After the sea
fight with two Spanish gunboats off
the River San Juan on December 18th
the filfbuster tried to put ashore her
men and arms in the Cienga del Zapata,
but was unable to do so, and was forced
to put back to Key West for coal in the
face of heavy gale. The run home
was ON a course of / 100 miles, giving
Cape San Antonio the widest berth pos
sible. as Spanish cruisers were fiocking
to head off the boat, which had fired
upon and beaten off the Spanish flag.
thirty miles from Key West on the
Right of Wednesday, December 21st.
The men built camps and settled down
for an indefinite stay. The key was a
r1angrove swamp without water, and
the party suffered extremely, being
without water for two days and threat
ened by every high tide which might
sweep clear over the low island. Pro
visions ran short, and the whole expert
ence from the lack of food and water
and other hardships was terrible.
The location Of the expedition was
Erown In Key West, but there was no
interference from United States author
ities.
ION December 2Gth the men were
moved to Pine Key, where there was
dry land and fresh water, and where
two schooner loads of provisions had
been brought from Key West, so af-
fairs We're brighter. Last night another
steamship arrived to take off the sup
plies The party had settled down for
a long stay, not knowing when they
would be taken off, and the coming OF
the second steamship was welcomed
with JOY. The work of loading the
cargo went ON through the night and
everything was ON DOdru and the ills
buster was ready for sea- / am writ
ing these last words as the steamship
is weighing anchor to head for Cuba. -
SITUATION IN PINAR DEL RIO.
HAVANA, Jan. IA reporter of the
"Dairo de la Marino" has had an inter
view with Captain-General Weyler in
camp. Speaking of the situation in the
province of Pinar del Rio, General
~Weyler said that, speaking from the
standpoint of strength. the insurrection
in that province had been crushed. The
few insurgents remaining We're Obliged
TO hide like wolves in their caves. Fe-
vers and smallpox had thinned the
rebel ranks. His own column and those
of the other Spanish commanders had
oyerrun the base and interior of the
hills. and had met no rebels. The In
s,,rgents. after the death of Maceo
wore without a leader. Rivera, Ma
ceo,s successor. was unpopular among
his men,
ceneral Weyier added that his state
,,on+s would be confirmed after Cen
s,,ala Melguizo and Arolas had com
,,,a+ad their operations. which included