The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-06-29
COMPETITORS CREW.
The Prisoners win He Called for
TrinI July 10.

The Prisoners WIN He Called for
TrinI July IL.
New York, June 2S.A dispatch TO the
Journal and Advertiser from Havana says
Consul General Lee has finally been OF
ncially notified that Ona Melton. the Amer
lean newspaper correspondent Captain La
barde and others belonging to the capturea
American schooner Competitor aud one or
two Americans incarceratod with them IN
the Cabanas fortress will -bc called for pub
lie trial July 10. The hearing VIII be be-
fore oivil judges and Judgment will be Ell
tirely upon tho declarations previously
made within the walls of the military
prison and on evidence taken by a govern
ment official or crown prosecutor, acting on
behalf of the Spanish admiralty and war
department J'he court Win listen to no
new testimony, save ~ support OF this
written declaration already tilcd.
George Curran. the only witness the
Competitor prisoners were permitted to
call in their behalf, was arrested ifnme-
dlately after his examination, and Is stu
a prisoner His sworn statement was tha'
the vessel was beyond the three mile limit
| and held the American iiag at her mast
| head when fired upon and seized Thl'
| statement displeased tho Spanlards and
| Curran was therefore detained and charged
| with perjury.
Consul General Lee as yet has received
no instructions from Washington 10 en-.
| ploy counsel to defend the prisoners a
| Spanish magistrate said that the men
| would undoubtedly be found guilty agal
| aud sentenced to death or TO long tcrms o.
| imprisonment, but added Their triendi
need not fear their being executed or de-
ported. our people are too diplomatic thus
| to force Americas hand. Were the m"l
shot. popular Indignation III tho United
states would compel Mckinley to act OF
the other hand. we've they declared limo
cent or pardoned Spanish sentiment nigh
drive the Judges and magistrates from
| bench and office, But they can he KEEP al
prisoners Indefinitely in Cahanas through
| judicial and diplomatic red tape and ihei
| cases repealed and retired as often Az al
plomacy may require until the war here u
| ended and the passions OF the two hation
has cooled. Then they may expect I'D
| erty. but not before. "
The rebel generals Rivera and Baccalo'
| will not be shot Weyler has a cablegrai
from the minister OF war. A2caraga, u
definitely suspend the court mar,i9l sen
fences OF death pending the close OF hos
.ilities" when their pardon may be eH
pected
Weyler himself has taken no s,epa u
stop the court martial and shooting o.
other less important prisoners of war dur
ing the last three days. AZ Matanzos. Sa
pua. Santa Clara, Sancti spiritus, Cieniuc
COS and Pinar del Rio dozens OF execution
have occurred AT Sagua two cuban Girit
Rosa prieto and Josepha Borgos. accuse
NJ sending out clothes to their broih"r
fighting under the insurgent chief Robar
we're convicted Of aiding the rebellion an
sentenced by military court, raspeotiveN
10 twelve and six months imprisonment
in the African penal colonies.
Leading Havana newspapers, cominehtin
mn Canoyas' Cuban reform bill. Insist ina
according To its provisions the fr,nchis.
will be extended TO loyal Spnniards oni
and will exclude Cubans who bore arm
against Spain and those suspected OF nay
who were even known to have espresso
lsympathy with II,