The record-union., 1898-07-10

Two changes seemed to be impera-
lively demanded: One was agrarian
reform, and the other the adoption of
useful occupations blythe entire people
Out of 4,OOO,OOO of able-bodied men
on the Spanish Continent, fully a mill
ion and half were non producers
that enormous proportion being dis
tributed through the army and navy
the clerical professions, domestic SER
vice and the business of advocates and
writers for the courts. Fifty per cent
of the country was uncultivated; edu-
cation was at a Standstill and the
general outlook was discouraging.
But during all these changes of gov
ernment there had been no change of
policy toward Cuba--a constant and
relentless war was waged against the
insurgents on that island Army after
army had been landed in Cuba, but
they had gradually dwindled away in
their efforts to conquer the rebel forces
The Government, however maintained
possession of all the principal cities
and the seaboard, and it's war vessels
were alert to prevent the landing of
men, arms and supplies by vessels
from the United States. The Cuban
Junta, with headquarters at New
York, was a powerful organization,
and through it aid was extended to
the insurgents that in large degree en-
abled them to protract the war
On November 4, 1873, General Jovel-
lar arrived at Havana from Spain and
assumed the Captain Generalship of
the island On the 9th he issued an
address of a conciliatory nature, con-
Guiding by saying: "All may rest as
sured that / will comply with the in
structions of the National Government
to be untiring in my efforts to procure
peace encourage credit and punish
fraud, taking care that none of the
great interests of the land shall suffer
while / act as your Governor"
On October 30, 1873, the steamer Vir-
giniuS attempted to make a landing on
the southern coast of Cuba, but was
repulsed and proceeded to Kingston,
Jamaica. The Spanish Consul at that
port advised the authorities at Santi-
ago de Cuba Of the movements Of the
vessel, and within four hours after the
information was received the Spanish
war steamer Tornado sailed in search
of her On the 31st, while the Tornado
was under full sail and little steam
her machinery being under repair-she
sighted the Virginius. The latter doubt
less supposed the Spaniard to be a sail
| ing vessel, as her course was not
changed. On the Tornado every effort
was made to hasten the repairs, and
! at p. m. the engineer announced that
they were completed. All steam possi-
BILE was Immediately got up and the
vessel was headed for the Virginius,
reaching a speed of fourteen knots and
hourly gaining on her. The Virginius
had in the meantime kept on her course
but divining the hostile character Of
the Tornado, changed it towards ia
maica for English waters, and being
out of coal commenced to burn pc
troleum, grease, hams and other COM
bustibles from the cargo on board
Night closed on, and the vessels were
in their relative positions, but. the
Tornado still kept gaining. AS soon
as she got within gun shot the Tor
nado fired with shot and shells. The
Virginius came to at 10 p. m, and two
armed boats from the Tornado pulled
alongside and took possession Of the
vessel and made prisoners Of all on
board
At the time of the capture of the
Virginius it was flying the United
States flag, but it was pulled down by
a Spanish officer, and the ensign of
that nation was hoisted in it's place.
The next two hours were employed in
transferring some of the prisoners to
the Tornado and putting a prize crew
on the Virginius. At midnight the
two vessels started for Santiago de
Cuba, and arrived there the following
day at 5 D. m, having been joined by
the Spanish steamer Cantabro. Their
arrival created immense excitement
and rejoicing among the Spaniards.
The Governor gave a reception which
lasted all night. The next day, No
vember I'd, a court-martial was held
on board Of the Tornado, which COM
menced at 9 a. m. and terminated at
p. m. All the prisoners were tried as
pirates, and the findings of the court
and sentence We're sent to the Captain
General and Admiral, sealed When
the court adjourned all Of the prison.
ers, with the exception of Generals
Bernabe Verona, Pedro Cespedes, Je-
sus del Sol and Washington Ryan,
were removed and those four men were
taken out and shot on the 4th by
order of General Burriel, the command
er of the Spanish troops at that port.
Some fifty-seven more were shot on
the 7th and Sth, among them Captain
Joseph Fry, the commander of the Vir-
ginius, and it was reported that sixteen
were British subjects.
The American and English Vice Con-
suls applied for an audience with Cen
era1 Burriel before the executions but
he not only insolently denied their re-
quest, but had the telegraph wires cut
to prevent them from sending messages
to Havana. On the day after the un-
fortunate prisoners had been put to
death Burriel tauntingly informed the
American Vice Consul that he had been
prevented from attending to business
on the preceding days because there
was a religious festival, and he twas
occupied in meditating on the Divine
mysteries" He also declared that the
reason for the summary executions was
to avoid any complications with the
exterior or foreign intervention On
the Sth, II. M. S. Niobe dropped into
the harbor Of Santiago de Cuba, and
the Captain interfered on behalf of the
remaining prisoners, and their lives
were saved.
General Varona was native of Cuba
and a member of one of the best fami-
lies of the island. AS soon as the rev.
olution commenced he Joined the Cuban
forces, and soon distinguished himself
by his bravery and military skill. He
was content with humble rank. but on
the arrival Of General Quesada was
made Colonel, and subsequently pro-
NOTED to be General of a division. and
,11o iy,n n re