Omaha daily bee., 1897-04-11
PROMPT RELEASE OF PRISONERS.
Spanish Authorities Now Act with Adj
MT, III Iu,, fol,

| Spanish Authorities Now Act with Adj
| mfrnble Dispa tch.
! Copyright 1897. by Press Publishing Company
HAVANA, Cuba (via Key West, Fla)
! April 1O-(New York World Cablegram-Spe-
cial Telegram.)-The story of Colonel Jose
Ameiva of the insurgent army is romantic.
He was with General Rivera when that chief
was captured. He escaped, but presented
himself and put in Cabanas, and was
released with astonishing rapidity when he
was found to be an American citizen.
Colonel Amieva says Rivera had only 1O2
men when he was surprised by 1900 Span
iards. He fought till he was wounded, and
then ordeIe Amieva to retreat with the
other wounded, while he stayed to cover the
retreat. Eighty-four of the insurgents
escaped. General Rivera was shot twice
more, and fell with Terry and Baccaola by
his side-three against 5000. Terry was
killed after being taken prisoner.
Colonel Doucassi took command of the fly
ing insurgents and sent Amieva with a guard
of six to Gomez to report All were wounded
The party were surprised by thirty soldiers
whereupon they scattered. Amieva dashed
into cane field and came out again at
distant point. Seeing soldiers approaching
he threw away his arms and papers. When
the soldiers seized him, he told them he was
on his way to present himself, On Thursday
he was taken to Cabanas fortress. He had
carefully concealed his citizenship lest hs be
shot. He sent note secretly to General
tered at the consulate wrote to General
Ahumada that he was an American citizen
who had surrendered and should be freed
mi unt n
Lee that his clerk, Senior Torca would be
over in the morning. The colonel did not
expect action by the authorities for several
days. ana went to sleep. He forgot that
Cleveland and Olney were not now in office.
At midnight Amleya was awakened by a
lieutenant colonel, who saluted him. He
almost thought that he was dreaming when
he heard read an order from General
Ahumada directing the immediate discharge
or Amieva, an American citizen detained
after preser tation.
why did you not tell us before that you
were an American citizen?" asked the gov
ernor. Amieva was taken from his cell TO
the flag room and given bed In the morn
ing captain was detailed to escort him TO
the city. All the soldiers and officers sa-
luted him as he passed out. On the steps
him. Amieva will return at once to the
United States, though he can remain here
II he so desires
Amieya !s dentist, educated ut Flat
bush and Baltimore. In March OF last year
he sailed from Cuba to Tampa In a fifteen
foot boat to carry dispatches from Gomez |
10 the junta. He returned on the Dauntless |
and Joined Riveras forces.
His release furnished a precedent for |
he discharge OF American citizens, Joseph |
L. Cepero and Charles Aguerie. Cepero sur
'endered and has pardon signed by General /
Marin, yet he has been in Santa Clara Jail /
or fourteen months. Aguerie was ON his |
"ay to Havana to surrender He has been
n Cabanas six months, The release OF both
hould be demanded at Washington.
Melton, the Competitor prisoner is i'm
'roying in health little. His detention is
n outrage. THOMAS q. AI,VORD JR