The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-26
100 DAYS IN HAVANA JAIL.
A SUN CORRESPONDENT IN NEW
FORK AFTER THE ORDEAL.

Mr.. Garcia's story or Hlu Imprisonment-To
This Day ne Has Not Been Omciaily Noti-
ned or the Charges Made Against Him
sunerinus or some or His Fellow Prisoners.
Mr.. Eduardo Garcia Mates, one OF II SUNS
CORRESPONDENTS in Havana, whose arrest and eX-
pulsion from Cuba have been reported in this
newspaper, arrived here on Tuesday on tho steam
ship Panama. Mr.. Garcia is a native Spaniard,
and was born in Madrid. Tho story OF his wrongs,
taken from his own lips, Is in itself a striking
commentary on Spanish misrule in Cuba. Mr..
Garcia's statement Is fair and impartial, and,
since he has remained faithful to his mother
country, 1t cannot be said that he voices the
sentiments of the Cubans in their feelings of
bitter animosity against the spaniards.
ION my return to this country after sixteen
years residence in Cuba" said Mr.. Garcia, my
frat impression on landing was that l had left
the fifteenth century behind me and. like Rip
Van Wrinkle, awakened TO find myself enjoying
the blessings Of liberty. There 10 no exaggeration
in this feeling. Any person coming from Cuba,
especially IL he has resided there long enough to
witness the frightful condition of things In the
island. cannot refrain from giving vent to such
expressions. The wholesale destruction of
property under Weyler's brutal orders to
deprive the enemy OF all resources;'
the many assasslnations daily committed,
either as pubic executions RAIDS on CUBAN
Held hospitals, or peaceful non-comoatants.
spAring neither sex, age nor condition, fill
tho mind with horror. and forcibly suggest
the scenes of the middle ages, and especially
those witnessed in tho Netherlands under the
domination Of the Duke OF Alba Spain has
assumed "A great responsibility before the CIVIL
lied world In allowing the preparation OF such
horrors: and when the history OF the Cuban war
shall DO made public 1 am sure that my liberal.
minded countrymen will protest with the same
Indignation that l feel, because such a blot has
been cast upon our name.
AT the same time, as a Spaniard who has not
renounced his citizenship and with
affection the land OF his birth. l cannot but pro-
test against the weak policy OF our Government
in Its relations with foreign countries. 1t would
seem as II we have degenerated ana forgotten
our naughty ancestors. / believe In equal rights.
fan American commits a crime In Cuba, l think
he should he punished. the same as a Spaniard.
II 1t Is considered a crime TO report what is hap
pening In Cuba, l see no reason why, II an Amer
lean newspaper correspondent becomes obnox.
ious TO the Government for telling the truth
about what he sees around him. he should be
simply ordered to leave the island. and when
the same offence is committed by a Spaniard ho
should be 30 roughly dealt with as | have been.
=" was arrested on May IL ON the simple sus-
picion that ! was tho underground corre-
nnna.n, Tn Sr, TIT. a, ah.oI,,o,- ,.,so
sponueh'o SUN. inte 10 outot '",'e.
l never sent a single despatch to THE Sun that
did not bear the official stamp and fully con-
form With tho rsouircments n, tho military or
lolm win inc fe9uifemen's . 'ne m'n..f. VI
of correspondent of THE SUN II was with tho
MISUNDERSTANDING that 7 was 10 transmit onlv the
~ m"1 W uAnsn :, 'no
official bulletins issued at the palace and such
other occurrences printed In tho local papers,
/ which are only made public after a rigorous OK.
animation by the ocnsors, all obnoxious matter
running for believed that some day they would
-. 80 ~" -. -
MAKE me responsioio TOT inc ooinRs o, soIhe
Government officials. especially with Major
49, ,ha mut,n,r w ,rho, ar,iatn.a
naZeh, Inc n'li''"rS CENSOR whom l eApiaineo
the nature Of my work, and. meeting with no
objection from him. l began the work at once.
-, - ,.,, -
MY fears were realized. On May II l was
awakened by the sudden entrance into my room
of Jose Esealante. a Cuban traitor now in tho
service OF the havana PONCE VINO pohteiy toid
me was under arrest and that he would pro-
80
with the greatest care ransacking my furni,
ssarobIng nv own ner,on for som, incriminat.
TO dna'naDt whiah p,i,h, tns,ITv 800
No such document was found, but despite this
fact 7 was taken before the Chief Of Police VIM
announced to me that / was under arrest until
further orders. must say that this otticer was
exceedingly polite 70 me, ana mitigated the
rigors OF my incarceration by anordinE me GER
tain accommodations In the Police Headqusrt-
es which were not granted 10 ANYBODY else.
l was kept for iorty-eisht hours i'icomunt,
eSao. thHt rs, dePriyed Of an connection Win
inE IN i noei,ic Is n Otisdp. In e Saye Sar WIN n what ,hstt
same prison, incomunieddo Tor forty days IN
dark. ioul, ioatnsomo cells Or dungeons, whi!e !
was placed In o spacious, clean. weli-ventilate
room. Mith some comforts winch mace the place
toieraoie.
On tho day following my arrest WAS ordered
10 appear before ioilce inspector balilha 10 an
sWer questions az 10 my age, PROFESSION, nation
ATTY, &c, ana others OF minor Importance. iio
DID not toll me what was accused OF; nor up TO
the present nave oeen oIhCially notineu OF the
real charge against me, or the reason Tor my In
dlctment IN lset i was sent me next DAY 70
the city JAIL ana curing all inc Time remained
IN the place three months and eight days. ! was
never calico upon 10 testiiy IN the case, nor was
an opportunity given me to defend myself on
Whatever charge made against me. such an
arD!trary proceeaihg as 70 lock q man up and
sentence MN without a nearing IS NOT P~ractieed
In any ciVlIizea country except In CUBA under