The San Francisco call., 1897-02-20

pa atch to the Sun from Havana says: In
addition to DR.. Emiliano Nunez, whose
arrest was reported a few days ago, sew
eral other well-known persons have been
cast into Jail in Havana, accused of aiding
the revolution. Their Imprisonment has
created a great sensation, not only be-
cause they have many relatives and
friends in the capital, but also on account
OF the extraordinary circumstances which
are connected with their prosecution.
An American citizen, Mr.. Scott a resi-
dent of Regla, a small town across the
bay from Havana, and who vas arrested
also, is under similar charges and is being
even more sternly prosecuted by the Span
ish authorities, because he is accused of
helping the Cuban woman, Ana Sotolongo,
10 escape from prison.
Mr.. Scott, as well as the others, was de-
nounced to the Spanish authorities, as all
the Cubans here affirm, by a man named
Miguel Beto, who, from the very begin
ming of the revolution, acted here as an
agent OF the revolutionary junta of New
York and at first did good work for the
Gu an cause. Some months ago the
Cubsns in New York, as well as here, cb-
served that Beto had begun to behave
strangely.
Several other prominent residents of
Havana, now deported to the Chafarinas
Islands, were arrested here as representa-
tives of the Junta. No evidence could be
found against them, but Weyler declared
that he was certain of their connection
with the revolution and refused 10 pardon
one of them, even when asked to do so by
the influential Spaniard, Don Manuel
Calvo
Soon it was known that a traitor belong
ing 10 the Junta at New York had de-
nounced them, and public opinion pointed
to Miguel Beto as the guilty man. Beto
protested, and continued to pose among
the Cubans as revolutionist, and as his
position had previously been so promi-
nent among the patriots here, and as some
of his friends denied the accusations
against him, he won again the confidence
of those who were here for the independ-
ence of Cuba in the very stronghold of
Spain. In this way he came into posses
sion of important secrets. The result is
now another denunciation attri buted to
him, in which an American is involved,
and which has aroused intense indigna-
ton here among the Cubans.
The Spanish police discovered about a
year ago in a house in San Rafael street a
quantity of explosives and other muni-
tions of war destined for the Cubans.
Several persons we're arrested, among
them a woman of good family named Ana
Sotolongo, who was Immediately locked
up in the house for disreputable women.
AS no evidence could be obtained by the
Spaniards, the trial of the prisoners, as
usual in these cases, was indefinitely de-
layed. and Ana Sotolongo was kept in her
cell suffering day after day the many
privatIons and insults.
The patriotic woman had friends, how
ever, in the city who were trying to aid
her to escape. When all the plans to aid
her were ready she escaped by jumping
from a window to the street, only to be
later discovered by the Spanish police in
a house on Virtudes street and rearrested
Her presence there had been carefully con-
cealed and she was awaiting an opportu-
nifty to join one OF the revolutionary
forces near Havana, and from there ex-
pected to be sent to Key West or some
other place in the United States in a spe-
cial boat. Only the members OF the Junta
here and Beto knew where she was. Beto
is accused again of denouncing Ana Soto
longo and the others as her accomplices.
Scott is highly esteemed here, and if he
had anything to do with the escape OF
Ana Sotolongo it was only because he
sympathized with the woman In her terri.
bic position.
Consul General Lee has interfered in
his behalf and has asked for Scott civil
trial