Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-11-23

horde Diner Widely as to the Way Spain
Treats Her Prisoners.
New York, Nov. 23-The steamer from
Havana landed at this port yesterday
the famous Competitor prisoners. They
were pardoned by the Spanish govern.
ment after one trial that condemned
them to death. They are: Alfredo La
horde. William Gildea. Ona Melton, WILL
lam Leavitt and Charles Barnett Gan
Ehglishman). The five men were in
fairly good health and excellent spirits
on reaching quarantine. Captain La.
borde suffers somewhat from paralysis
which he contracted during his long con-
finement in the Cabanas fortress. The
released men wore the clothes in which
they were clad at the time of their cap.
ture on April %. 1896. at Berracos, San
Cayetano, Cuba.
Had Been Sentenced To BE Shot.
Another happy passenger on the Sa-
ratoga was Julio Arteago Quesada, the
young Cuban insurgent who wasordered
to be shot by Weyler but was pardoned
by General Blanco. The six men who
captives were greeted upon their ar
rival in New York by an enthusiastic
crowd who gave them a hearty welcome.
Captain Laborde's brother was one Of
those assembled on the dock Represen-
tatives of the Cuban junta were also
present. and they added their greeting
to the men.
How Young 0uesada Was Captured.
This is the story which young Quesada
told last night concerning his release:
while member of the army corps in
the Pinar del Rio district became pos
sessed Of information to the knowledge
OF which think owe the saving of my
life. Last March wandered about half
mile away from our hospital tent in
search Of some herbs of which 1 desired
to make medicine when detachment of
Spanish infantry captured me- The noise
made by my fight to free myselfaroused
my twelve companions and they rushed
to my assistance During the fight that
followed my friends were beaten and
one of them was killed. After the con-
fiict was over I was bound and thrown
On the ground and beaten numerically.
/ was told that IL would confess where
my comrades had their dynamite stored
they would stop beating me. This de-
clined to do, and seeing that they could
not force confession from me they sent
me to Artemisa prison, where 1 was tried
and sentenced to be shot.
Spanish Generals Charged with Treason.
1t was at this juncture that my
knowledge stood me in good stead. Two
prominent Spanish generals-one a brig
adler general, whose name 90 not care
to mention. and General Arolas-prin-
clpally concerned themselves in my re-
lease. They feared me because they
Knew had disclosures to make which
would ruin them. They thought that if
/ had to die would tell what I knew.
These men are either base towards or
their desire to hold their positions over
came their scruples. They were in con-
slant communication with the insurgent
generals. having written letters to them
which I saw whiie in the Pinar del Rio
district-in which they stated that they
wanted to make arrangements by which
Spanish soldiers would not be attacked
In the districts controlled by them. In
return the insurgents were to have free
access to the trocha and be permitted to
pass at will. This proposition was ac-
cepted, and IN this way we were able to
Keep In constant communication with
Gomez. Maceo and Garcia. We lad
about 5000 men under command of Gen.
eral Nunez. while the Spaniards had be-
tween 10000 and 5000. yet we were well
able to cope with them.