Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-01-07
CALLS LOUD CALL.
Senate, Informed Of Atrocity by
the Spaniards,
AGREES WITH FLoRIDA's SENATOR.

Adopts His Resolution Asking for the
Facts Regarding Americans Confined in
Spanish Prisons-Letter from an I'm
named "Prominent American" Tells Of
GOWNS Death by Methods Most Savage
House Passes the Loud Postal Bill.
Washington. Jan. THE speech of
Call on Cuba yesterday served as the
medium for making public a letter CIV
ing a graphic description of the Caban-
as fortres at Havana and the sur
roundings of the American citizens i'm
prisoned there. The circumstances
surrounding the letter attracted
marked interest to it, as Call said it
came from a public man of high stand
ing in the United States who would
shortly occupy place in the legislative
branch of the government. The letter
dealt with the mediate present, and
described a visit made by the writer
and General Lee to Cabanas fortress
only seven days ago-on the morning of
Dec. 80. 1t told of the pitiful condition
Of the prisoners, including Julio San
=
companion of Charles Gown, the Amer
ican newspaper correspondent killed in
Cuba. The recital of these prisoners
was given in full.
Story Told in the Letter.
The writer said he visited the fortress
in company with Consul General Lee.
Access to the fortress was secured with
difficulty, il being open to outsiders
only on Wednesdays, and then after
twenty-four hours notice. The writer
said that he and General Lee were es
ccrted within the prison. where eight or
ten prisoners. some of them Americans,
were brought out. In circle about
them was arranged 100 Spanish SOL
diers, heavily armed. One of the pris-
oners was a man who had been with
Charles GOWN at the time of his cap
ture. The prisoner stated that the
Spaniards tied him and GOWN together.
Gown attempted to show his United
States citizenship papers and his Gre
dentials as an American newspaper
correspondent. but the Spanish COM
mander struck these from his hand and
turned Gavin over to the cavalry. while
the other prisoner was sent to the
Cabanas fortress.
Alleged Manner of GOWNS Death.
The writer stated also that from other
reliable sources it was established that
Gown subsequently had been tied TO :
tree and chopped to pieces. Julio San
gully was another of the prisoners seen
during this visit to the fortress. The
writer described him as an old man
whose hair had turned gray, and who
appeared to be over GO years old. San
gully told a pathetic story to the visi-
tors as to the injustice of his trial and
conviction, and begged that the United
States investigate the case with a view
Of establishing that he was prosecuted
for what he might have done, and not
what he had done.
Stained " i:h American Blood.
Call declared that these prisons were
stained with the blood of American
citizens. 1t needed but an investigation
to unmask the extent of the buschery
he said. The senator asserted that
nation which failed to protect its citi-
cents justly deserved the execration of
the civilized world. He spoke of the
reports that the powers of Europe
would coerce the United States. What
effect, he asked, would such a concert
of European nations have. when the
sympathy of mankind and the senti-
ment of the Christian world was with
the struggling patriots of Cuba. 1t
would be a futile intervention. even if
attempted, for no statesman Of Europe
could successfully appeal 10 the masses
OF the people TO strike at those engaged
in struggle for independence and
liberty.
Declines to Plead for Mrs. MAVERICK.
When Call had concluded the senate
passed his resolution calling for in
formation relating to American citizens
held in Spanish prisons. During the day
the senate passed house bills amend
ing the laws relating to timber culture
and authorizing brevets to active or
retired officers of the army or navy.
The joint resolution requesting the Brit
ish government to pardon Mrs. Florence
Maybrick was indefinitely postponed
The bill exempting settlers on public
lands from paying the original govern
ment price fixed on the lands was de-
bated. Pettigrew and Carter speaking
in its favor. but a final vote was not
reached. During his speech Pettigrew
read the platforms of the political par
ties favorable to free homesteads.
Which platform does the senator like
the best?" asked Chandler
Il must say that l like the Demo-
cratic platform much the best" re-
sponded Pettigrew. The New England
senators do not seem to be able to
stand on any platform" he added.
During the day an executive session