The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-16
IN AN OPEN BOAT.
The Per,lous Voyage of Twelve Cubans
Their Arrival In Jamaica-Their SuPpos.
ed Mission-Important Letters Taken
From Them

Correspondence of The Associated
~Press.)
kingston, ia, July 6.-Twelve Gu
camp in the province of Camagua,
reached Rio Nuevon, a little port on
the north side of the island a few days
ago in an open boat. They were in a
terrible condition of exhaustion, as
they had been seventy hours in making
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 boa and filling her
to the very thwarts. After three days
Of constant anxiety and struggling they
managed to put in at Rio Nuevo, in a
pitiabIe 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 leadrs who have business in
New York and who are travelling in
cognito. 1t will be remembered last
year that Carlos Roloff, the leading
manager of an expedition to Cuba ar
rived in Jamaica under 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
real 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
party four are invalids. DR.. Vieta is
now lying in Kingston, tenderly cared
for by the local Cubans suffering from
a sickness induced by months of trials
and privations. Another has a 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-
it's are not daunted. Glefully they talk
of the successes of the rebels and of
the defeats Of the Spaniards. Their
privations and sufferings are, they say.
as nothing compared with what the
Spanish troops are undergoing. In an
interview with the Associated Press
correspondent they complained bitterly
Of the actions Of the British officials,
for the visiting health officer had arbi-
trarily seized a 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 a breach Of the
postal regulations act had been COM
mitted and hat the letters must be
forfeited as a penalty. Nearly eighty
letters were taken from DR.. Vieta alone
and there Is nc prospect Of any Of them
ever reaching their destination.
My first inquiry was with reference
to the rumor thai General Maxine Co
mez had been killed. This was treat
ed by all the patriots as simply a ca
nard circulated by the Spanish in the
hope of p~ursuading a few deserters to
Join their ranks. The revolution"
said Moreno, lis principally confined at
the present m to the Orient n
Camagua provinces. The Spanish are
in possession of one OIL two small
places, but they suffer very severely
from the want of food and ammunition.
Their camps are deciminated by sick
ness and mbers are deserving every
day to join the ank of the insur-
gents"
DR.. Vieta says that the Cuban troops
are in good health, n have a good
supply Of food and ammunition. All
are we'll armed n the principal diff
Guilty is to keep them In clothing.
The election of a president was COM
menced in the month Of May. and there
has been a genuine display of patriotic
feeling on the subject among the Gu
pans. The result will not be made
know until September. The candidates
are General Garcia, General Masso and
Seymour Capolo. DR.. Hernandez is
also among the nominees.