The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-04
INSURGfN1 PRISONERS
SPANISH DUNGEONS SHOULD BE
EMPTIED
President Palma of the Cuban Junta
Working for the Release Of His
Countrymen

NEW YORK, Aug. 3.-The World this
morning prints the following: President
Mckinley will soon be asked to include
among the provisions upon which peace
will be established, one that will contain
the freeing of all Cubans imprisoned by
that country for offenses which may be
classed as political.
In all the Spanish penal colonies. Ceuta
and the like, there are about 500 Cubans
who have been captured during the last
three years. The horrors of these prisoners
have been described lately, and it has been
said that the punishment meted out to
these men is altogether out Of keeping
with their crimes.
The effort will be made by Thomas Is
trada Palma, the President of the Cuban
Junta. In fact, he has already instituted
an agitation TO that end, and he Will not
give up until his object has been accom-
plished. Friends of his are now at work
in the capital with this purpose in view and
they will soon be, in communication with
the officials
SIS it not Just and fair that this should
be done?" said President Palma. Here is
a war won with the help of the Cubans
Thousands of prisoners have been taken by
the American army and they are not to be
kept but are to sent back to SPAIN This
is magnanimous on the part of America,
but would 1t not be good thing to make
this a vehicle for the liberation of the Gu
bans who have been imprisoned since the
war began?
II think this would be q most laudable
plan and do not think It will be necessary
to do much urging. think 1t will commend
itself to any thinking man that the Cubans
who are in prison for the very thing for
which the Americans have gone to war
should be free, now that Spain has been de-
feated and that there Is so good chance
to exchange them for some of the thou
sands of the Spaniards who have been cap
tured In the war.
"This brings me to consideration Of the
terms imposed on Spain by the United
States. l feel they are most moderate and
in my opinion this government has raised
itself to the highest altitude in demanding
so little. 1t virtually asks from Spain as
follows:
"Give US Cuba for the Cubans: give us
Porto Rico for ourselves. and the! Philip
rines to make any use of that may here
after be determined.
W AoSA~
do these demands already mean? 1t ~ sim
ply saying:
"Gue us what we already have. because
we won 1t from you.
II do not know of any other nation which
would have been so generous or that would
not have taken everything IT could.
1.-THE Cubans never kept any prisoners of
war. When any of the enemy were cap
tured they were treated as kindly as pos
sible and were sent back 70 the Spanish
ranks If they wanted to go. We have never
had any whom we could exchange for our
own comrades who were in prisons.
You have read of the cruelty attributed
to the Cubans-that wantonly beheaded
many OF the Spanish prisoners recently
taken. What is your opinion Of these
stories?
IT do not believe there Is word of truth
in them. No Cuban would be so low as to
rnaltreat prisoner Of war, much less be-
head him. Mind you, this Is only my opin-
lon. have had no advice on that score
from the seat Of war. but I am willing
to stake my reputation that no Cuban
soldier ever demeaned himself by taking
such advantage OF man who was unable