The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-17
He VIII Surrender Them as Soon ms
Two Spanish Prisoners Are Re-
turned to the Cuban Capital.
FLAG OF TRUCE At HAVANA
HOW THE AMERICAN ENJOYS Sc
CURED A BRIEF CONFERENCE.
Correspondent Knight Not Permitted
to Land from Yankee Shtp-The
Ambulance Steamer SOlace.

KEY WEST. Fla, May, 16.-The United
States government tug Uncas has returned
here from off Havana without the two
American newspaper correspondents,
Charles H. Thrall and Hayden Jones, cap
tured by the Spaniards and imprisoned in
Fort Cabanas, whose release the command
err of the Uncas attempted to consummate
on the basis of exchanging them for Span
ish prisoners held in the United States
The Uncas after leaving here at o'clock
on Sunday morning, headed for Havana and
spoke the Mayf1ower, which was acting as
flagship of the blockade feet. Lieutenant
Brainard United States navy, special agent
of the United States government, boarded
her and handed sealed orders to the cap
tain, who thereupon instructed the Uncas
to hoist a white flag and proceed into Ha-
vana harbor. The Uncas then steamed to-
wards Havana, and, when within signaling
distance of Moro Castle, she sgnaled,
asking for an anchorage. The castle sig
nailed back that its commander was wait
ing for instructions and that the UncaS
must certainly not anchor.
After an interval, a launch with the
harbor authorities on board, put out from
the shore and took on board Lieutenant
Brainard and Mr.. knight, the correspondent
of the London Times, who had been chosen
to negotiate the exchange Of prisoners. AS
the launch was returning to the shore she
was met by Captain General Blanco's
launch coming out with the captain gen
erals aid de camp and Mr.. Gollan, the
British consul general. The boats drew to-
gether and conference was had. Lieut..
Brainard and Mr.. knight were assured that
Messrs. Thrall and Jones were absolutely
safe and were being treated with every con-
sideration. 1t was added that Captain Gen.
eral Blanco will be willing to releasef them
the moment the United States authorities
SEND MIN two Spanish prisoners In ex-
change Mr.. Knight was told he could not
land at Havana from an American boat
IN spite spite of the flag of truce, and it was ex
planned to him that If he desired to reach
Havana he must go there on a ship belong
ing to some neutral power.
and delivered this Information 10 The " 6sl
Rartment. 1t is understood that two Of the
spanish captiyes now, in Fort Mcpherson,
Atlanta, will be promptly sent down, and
the exchange of prisoners will be CONSUME
mated without further trouble.
Spanfards Kept Under Close Guard
ATLANTA, Ga, May 16.-The twenty
Spanish officers and privates, prisoners at
Fort MCPHERSON are kept under close guard
1t was expected that the officers would be
paroled and. in fact, it was so stated here,
but the officers as well as the privates are
under constant surveillance. They are con-
fined in the guardhouse, and their only ex-
ercise is secured in walking to the messroom
for their meals. The officers are served at
a separate table, but the privates eat at
the table with their guards-the negroes of
the Twenty-fifth Regiment. All their let
tiers are submitted to a doctor in Atlanta,
who reads them in the presence of Colonel
Cook, commandant at the post, before they
are mailed. The Spaniards have no inter-
prefer and their wants are made known by
one of the officers who has a smattering of
English Colonel Cook expects his Spanish
colony to be augmented in a few days by
the officers and crew of the Spanish bark
Rita. now at Savannah.
Major General Graham has not yet been
ordered to send any Of the Spanish prisoners
now at Fort Mcpherson to Key West in ex-
change for the two newspaper correspond
ents held as prisoners in Cuba. but has been
instructed to order all prisoners secured on
Spanish prizes sent to Fort Mcpherson. The
general was also requested by the Wash
ington authorities to furnish guard for all
prisoners so obtained from the point of de-
barkation to Fort Mcpherson.