The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-30

"As was brought home to tho American
mind during the Spanish war. the attn
races place slight value upon human life
and the indifference shown at executions
is marked characteristic of their ma
lures" said William j. Floyd; according
to an article in the Washington Star.
81 am reminded OF n scene 1 witnessed
while travelling In one of the Central
American states several years ago. As
we all know revolutions there are OF fire.
ouent occurrence.
"The successful general who usually
succeeds to the presidency, sometimes
settles his differences with the leaders oh
the vanquished by exiling them, or hav.
ing them stood up against an adobe wall
before line OF soldiers. shot, and buried
where they fell--usually the latter.
while al the capital OF one OF these
states shortly after the termination of "A
revolution made the acquaintance or the
president ana several OF his ouicerS. as
speak Spanish fiuently.
lone morning. as I WAS passing the en-
trance TO the palace j encountered An
officer-a colOnel-Just as he emerged
"Ho greeted me pleasantly. and asked II
7 wculd care TO accompany him 70 the
barracks, about a quarter OF mile dis
tant, saying that one OF the leaders OF the
lust finished revolution had been unex-
BroSsht to eSrsp The capital @ aSd weS 10 ss
executed at rcon by order OF the presi-
dent
was relate TO him by family ties. and be-
cause he personally stood high in the la
vor OF the president vainly interceded 60
secure the prisoners release or COmmuta-
ton OF sentence 10 banishment. The
president, however. had ordered the tx-
ecution 10 proceed, aud as he. the colonel.
was In command OF the barracks it be-
came his painful duty pers sonaliy 10 csiry
out the order.
WOULD DISCHARGE PISTOL.
"I assented, az I had never seen an
execution. and though / pitied the victim
I knew that anything 1 could DO would
not save him-eAcusing my conscience on
that ground
Arriving in the courtyard OF the bar
racks I observed a file Of soldiers stand
ing at rest short distance from a high
adobe wall, close to which stood Q man
OF middle sse. calmly smoking cigar
beyond q quick sisnc. ct the coIoners
immovsble features he betrayed no sign
Of recognition or Of the peril % hts po-
sition. He must have known. of course.
that tho latter's mission had been fruit
less one.
"The esscution was act at 10 o'clock
oS SoIrs Ss s 81 b. peN ,aS s
II was then FIVE minutes OF the hour
"The colonel Informed The lieutenant
condennsd con nj Cd nsn ' With The presia.nt and
n waE agreed II the president Welded 20
his plesdings ne would step out on one
~ the little balconies peculiar to all
Spanish buildings. and discharge q pistol.
"Aii present heard the colorefs rfsnafka
including The man against the wall and
all eves sought Fhe balcony of the palace
which on a slight rise Of ground. could
be<plsinly seen In the clear tropical sun
llcht
F'ro ms IN. suspense broufht en- . nsry.
Gus chill, which was dscifecly unrless.
snt Ths eoomse nan M ,pynse east.y q,
/ soldiers srrsyed themselves IN strsieht
line as the colonel watch n hsrd. STOOD
near 10 rive tho fatal word.
The lieutenant raised his swsrd pre-
psrstory 90 making ds'ck downward