The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-10

spantah Pofiucat Rrissner.
Among the passengers who arrived on the
Kaiser wilhelm II. from Gibraltar Yesterday
were the following tcven Cubans who have
just been liberated from Castillo do Acho, in
Ccuta. Africa. where they had been held as
political prisnners by Spain for moro than a
year: Juan Miguel Ferrer Of Havana, Mariana
Aguero Of Puerto Principe, Antonio N. Ferrer
OF Holguin. Jose Zebra OF Havana, Ignncio
Lamas OF Havana. Rafael Arrue Of Baracoa. and
Rafael Silviera OF Bayario.
Juan Miguel Forrer, who 10 So years old, was
ono of tho best known lawyers in Havana.
When the ten years war broke out in Cuba in
1868 he was one Of the first to offer his services
TO his country. He lctt this city with an expo
dition on the George b. Upton in May. 1870.
The expedition. which was one OF the FIRST TO
leave this country. was directed by Gen. Javier
Cisneros, and was under the military command
of Lieut.. Col. Jaspar Betancourt Guerra.
shortly after his arrival in Cuba Mr., Fcrrer
was appointed private secretary to Con. Calix,o
Garcia, now second in command Of the Cuban
forces. Two years later he became the secretary
of Marquis dc Santa Lucia, President OF the
Cuban republic. Mr.. Ferrer remained seven
years on tho island, or until he was forced to
leave on account Of illness.
When tho present revolution broke out Mr..
Ferrer again placed himself at his countrv's
service. Acting under orders, he remained in
Havana, where he was Of great use to the Gu.
bans in passing letters and official document
through the Spanish lines. On Aug. 6. 1896,
Mr.. Ferrer received word that he had better
leave the island. as Gen. woyler was about to
order his arrest. Accordingly he sought and
obtained his passport and engaged his passage
on the American steamer Mascotte, which sailed
on Aug. 8.
EARLY that morning." said Mr.. Ferrer, IT
went on board. A short whilo later Inspector
Pratts Of the secret service walked into my
cabin without knocking and told me I was
under arrest. He refused to tell me Of what crime
l was accused. and when 1 told, him was
out more ceremony I was hauled down the gang.
way and placed in a rowboat and taken to
time ! was taken with Oscar dc Los Reyes, a
SCard n steamer lsw{Ss Bound % FOR as sa1ssn aea RR lSsssS % 1e
sSF y in in 's sSs .tsam days s,r A. M iomSss Ns Te Ire
political prisoners.to Chafarinas. Our hrst
stop was A. the island Of Peson. on the
hour in port when the Governor sent word
to the Captain that = French trading vessel had
the coast, and Immediately we went to her as.
sistance. The sailors were aroused. the boats
prepared fo, action and everything was made
she was surrounded BY fully thirty small boats.
the occupants Of which appeared to be busily
engaged in receiving bundles and boxes which
were being hurriedly passed over the side Of the
steamer. At our approach tho pirates opened
fire upon us. Capt. Bachs ordered Mr.. Reyes
and me below. but we remained on deck, hoping
to see the Spaniards whipped. AS we neared the
steamer the fusillade increased. but the Span
iards were too much for the pirates, who were
driven off and the sailors whom .hey had made
prisoners were liberated. Just before leaving
the pirates fired q parting volley and Reye fell
shot through the breast. The Sevilla returned 10
PeGon and the wounded man was taken to the
Alhuceimas Hospital. I wanted to remain with
him. but Gen. Alcantara ordered me back ON
the ship. Los Reeves died the next morning.
Finally / reached the Chafarinas Islands,
where l remained for two months. after which
was transported to Castillo de Acho. in Ccuta.
There | remained until I was liberated on Oct.
rs. While in the Castillo 1 was placed in n
vault with ten other prisoners. We were. all
told, 100 political prisoners and 400 prisoners of
war. The latter. unlike the political prisoners,
are treated very harshlv. They are herded
together like cattle in vaults.
There is not o doctor on the Inland or o drop
OF medicine. The unfortunate men die like
dogs. They are forced TO work in the broiling
sun. one Of their daily labors consisting Of car
rying kegs OF water on their shoulders up the
long hill TO the CASTLE"
In answer to q question as to what his plans
for the future were. Mr.. Fcrrcr said:
II will remain in New York aud help the
Cuban cause in every way / can"