The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-11
AMIEvA GIVEN HIS LIBERTY.
HE WAS A PRISONER IN THE GLOOM
or FORT CABANAs.

Landed in Cubn with an Expedition
on the DauntIess Last Janunry-He
Was Colonel in the Cuban Army
ana with Gen. Rivera When the
Latter Was Cnptured-The Colonel
Tells an Interesting story of Ills
Experiences on the Island.
Washington, April 10.--Jose d. Amieva,
an American citizen, a dentist formerly a
resident of Matanzas. who was arrested.
April I, and confined In Fort Cabanas. has
been released, according 20 a cablegram
received at the state department from
Gen. Lee.
Havana. via Key West, Fla. April TO-.
The Associated Press correspondent has
interviewed Jose Dolores Amieva, a coli
onel in the Cuban army brought TO Cabans
fortress on the 7th inst, and released on
April 9. Amleva was Formerly a dentist
in Matanzas City and had been an Ameri-
can citizen during the past sixteen years.
He speaks English huently. When inter-
viewed Amieva was still suffering from
Inflammation of the feet. He says that
he left Sierra Moreno a.one in a sailboat,
being an experienced sailor He arrived
at Tampa on March g. 1896, remaining
there until the last Dauntless flibustering
expedition. This expedition brought hint
TO Cuba with thirty-hve others command
ed by Mai. Rafael Peres Morales. They
reached Cuba, jan 3, and formed part OF
the forces of Gen. Ruis Rivera Amieva
was with Gen. Rivera when he was wound
ed. He says that at this time Rivera had
only 100 men, and fifty carriers. Several
columns attacked them suddenly at Ca
bezabas. Nearly all escaped except Ri
vera, who suffered from heart disease and
tainted at a critical moment. Col. Ba-
ca.lao and Senor Torrey remained with
Gen. Rivera for the purpose of assisting
him. Shortly before the arrival of the
regulars, Amieva had been ordered to re-
tire with the wounded, otherwise he too,
would have been captured Torrey re-
sisted capture and was fired on by the
Spaniards and wounded. Gen. Rivera, as
Is well known. was also wounded.
Col. Amieva missed his way after the
recent fight at DaureganO plantation,
near the trocha. He remained concealed
for considerable period Of time, but the
Spanish troops finally surrounded him.
Col. Amieva then threw aside his arms
and offered a flag of truce. Surrendering,
he was brought into the presence OF Gen.
Fernandez Ferrer. Fearing for his life,
he did not acknowledge that he was a
colonel In the insurgent army and he
said nothing about his American citizen
ship Gen. Ferrer produced the logbook
of the Dauntess, captured on the scene OF
the fight, and proved that he was a colo
mel In the lnsurgent army. Amieva says
that he did not escape as did others on
this occasion, because he was suffering
from Varcocela. When he was transfer
red to Havana he suffered from malaria.
However he was we'll treated by the civil
guards along the line Of the road. Arriv-
ing at Havana, he was delivered to the
soldiers, who treated him roughly, hand
cutting him. etc. Up to the time he was
released at the fortress he was well treat
ed by Gen. Carries and other officers.
Col. Ameva says Gen. Rivera Is very
sanguine OF the final triumph of the revo-
luton. He insisted upon remaining In the
Rio Hondo region where he was attacked
seven consecutive times. Three days after
Commissioners Jorrin and Po returned
from Rivera's camp he was attacked by
Gen. Valasvo. A number of documents
which We're seized reveal a disagreement
existing among the insurgent chiefs In the
province Of Pinar del Rio and Eastern
Cuba.
Seven peasants, Il is reported, were at
tackled on the Pujol highway in the Prov
ince OF Santa Clara, recently. They left
the city in search OF food and vegeta-
bles. II IS officially announced that ALI
were hung as spies" by the insurgents.
The insurgents recently raided the town
of Nercda NueVa sacking the stores ana
burning the houses. They were finally
compelled to retreat by the local garrison.
Capt. Armstrong found ten more rapid
firing artillery pieces along the line OF
the western trocha. They are apparently
useless, having been thrown aside and re-
naming uncared for fnasmuch as the
delicate mechanicism requires constant
attention the major Of artillery Is of the
opinion that these pieces are too compli-
Gated for field being available only for
warships and fertilization.
Gen. Ruis Rivera and the other priso-
ners captured with him, have not yet been
sentenced. The report that they were to
have been shot within twenty-four hours
is untrue. 1t Is an inyariable rule on the
part of the Spanish authorities not TO
shoot prisoners until completely recovered
from their wounds.
Many persons were In waiting in the vi
cinty OF Christlana station, hoping To
catch sight OF Gen. Rivera, upon the oe-
casion OF his arrival here. For the pur-
pose OF avoiding trouble the officers hav-
ing Gen. Rivera in charge continued to
Regla, and transferred their prisoner to
the fortress from that point. Gen. Rivera
was placed inc1mmunicadO and could noc
be interviewed. He will remain In solitary
confinement untfl Prosecutor Ordenez con-
sidere Il advisable 10 issue other orders.
Rumors that Batabano had been captur-
ed by the insurgents are pronounced un-
true. The military commander OF Bata-
bnno. lieutenant and two minor officers
left the town for the purpose Of meeting,
according to official advices, the reprcsen-
tatlves OF the Cuban congress. IL Is claim
ed that they were ambushed and the mili-
tary commander wounded. Two OF the Of
fcers were killed. Lieut.. Col. Rolger Will
investigate the matter. II Is quite gener-
ally believed that the officers left the
town for the purpose OF indulglng in a
brief walk and that they were surprised
by the insurgents.
Col. Amicva has been set at liberty. His
release is IN accordance with the edict OF
Cant Han Wevior