New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-07
RACK USED IN HONDURAS
Torture Reported to Effort Con-
LESSONS duplicating Americans.
HORRORS IN THE JAIL
Prisoners Packed in Quartet
British Subject Among Them
Street Barricaded.
rBy telegraph to The Tribune.l


Ga, Padro Sula. Spanish Honduras, july
IS (yia New Orleans, Aug. 6).-Torture o'
thumbracls is being resorted TO by the secfe
agents of President Davila in On effort u
obtain confessions and entangle American
residents in the revolutionary plot. The asi
tation has given excuse for marked demon
STATIONS of hatred for Americans, VINO ar'
suffering physical discomfort and monetary
loss because of the alleged vacillating poi
icy of the State Department at washington
repa r6ine all Central American affairs
President Dayila has asked the united
States government II it would have ooiec-
ton to the Governor searching the houses
of ALI Americans here and at Puerto Cortez
for arms and ammunition. which they say
have been accumulated by the Americans
for the benefit of the revoutionists-
DR. T M. Waller, an American, formerly
of New Orleans, who has been living hers
for many years, is said to be victim OF
persecution. because the Governor. Senior
Carias. believes that he has q large quan'
tity of arms concealed in his house A de-
mand was made on the doctor TO give VI
the arms, but he replied that he had none
except such as he needed for his own pro-
lection. A threat was made to arrest hln
and search mis- house but the agents GIG
not carry out this proceeding. sen
try has been placed in front of DR.. wal
ler's house, and every native who enters II
is arrested Immediately on leaving and
hustled off to jail, where he is put through
the third degree and probably kept in jail
for a time. Any American who visits the
doctor Is arrested and taken before Gov
erpor Carias, reprimanded for calling on
MAJ who is under the displeasure OF the
government and informed that If he wants
medical treatment there are other doctors
who can treat him. The visitors are put
on the list of enemies OF the government
The authorities are using highhandeo
methods in getting alleged evidence against
their enemies. Ignorant natives are ar
rested and tortured until they Will confess
to ANYTHING, the favorite method being to
hang them up by the thumbs. Under these
circumstances the poor devils Will swear to
anything that their tormentors want them
to say, and the result is that the little jail
here IS crowded to suffocation. In three
small cells IL by IS feet each, there are
more than one hundred men. and they are
so densely packed in the small place that
they cannot even lie down to sleep The
sanitary conditions rival the Black Hole OF
Calcutta, and the odor from the Jail per-
meates the atmosphere for blocks. The
poor wretches will die unless relief is given
them soon. and there Is serious danger OF
an epidemic.
The streets for two blocks from the
Quartet are barricaded with sacks of sand,
rocks, barrels of dirt. and heavy timbers
and no one is permitted to pass.
Some Of the most influential natives are
in Jail with ball and chain on their feet.
Don FREDERICK Girbal. who. although q
native Of Central America, is said to be a
British subject is in the San Pedro Jail.
Governor Carias decided on the arrest OF
the man because of suspected completely In
the revolution The daughter of Senior
Girbal married DR.. Leroy Stowe IN New
Orleans, and her husband is the Marine
Hospital Surgeon at Puerto Cortez- Aid OF
the American vice consul at that port was
sought, but Davila insists on keeping Cir
bal in a dungeon. Fears are expressed that
he has been put to death.
Twenty-Five cadets, forming the body
guard OF Governor Carias. are in Jail here.
They were suspected of plot to assassi-
nate their Governor.