Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-10

WHEN, on Tuesday mornings April
w IS. Admiral Fletcher took charge
Of old san Juan de Clloa Castle
at Vera Cruz. it was the second time in
the history of Mexico that the most
celebrated fortress in America, as well
as the fouest prison." came into the
temporary possession of the United
States
Just as MORO Castle played an inn
portant part in the Spanish war. SO this
famous San Juan de Ulloa Castle. with
its under the sea cells" and sturdy
fortress. played a prominent part in the
Mexican war of 1877.
Admiral F1etcher's dispatch to the
Navy Department reporting the taking
over of the prison read in part: There
are in the prison AZ persons who
have been sentenced for crime, 40
who have been accused of crime but
have not been brought TO trial. and also
-, who have not been accused of any
misdemeanor whatever. These 325 were
arrested mostly within the last two
months. III order to be forced into the
federal army and for no other reason
The above data was obtained from the
Mexican officer in charge The condi-
ton III the prison under which the 30
men are living is described as frightful"
Secretary Daniels. on Admiral Fetch
er's recommendation, wired orders for
the release of the :'25 uncondemned
prisoners mcarcerated. Upon releasing
the men. il was found that one was
an American. while the stories told Of
life in the prison were frightful in the
extreme
The history Of San Juan de I'loa dates
back to a time even before Cortez dis
castle has played an important part in
the story of Vera Cruz
In 1918 Don Juan de Grijalva, sent
out by Nelasquez. the Governor Of
Cuba, landed upon IA tiny island, hardly
more than a spot upon the water on
it he discovered small temple in
which human sacrifices We're offered to
the Aztec deities. II understood
by the adventures that these offerings
were made in accordance with com
mands sent out by the king Of Atol-
hua. one of the provinces of the ein-
plre.
The island was then named partly
for its discoVerer-San Juan-With the
last word-de Ulloa-as a contraction
of Acolhula. 1t was the discovery OF
this island, and de Grijalva's good re-
port of 1t, which determined Nelasquez
to send out "A stronger expedition. And
cred Vera Cruz.
This tiny island lies but three eighths
of a mile from the city of Vera Cruz
itself and since the early days of the
town has served as a strong defense.
Upon one side of Vera Cruz lies old
Fort Santiago. while upon the other Is
old Fort Conception; and these. with
San Juan directly opposite have made
Vera Cruz well garrisoned strong
hold in times gone by. Even they,
however. were not strong enough to
keep Vera Cruz free from invaders;
and on numerous occasions san Juan
figured in losing encounters. three OF
which won for Vera Cruz the name Of
thrice heroic.
The fortress is irregular in shape, be-
ing 30 yards long the side facing
Vera Cruz. and 200 yards on the north
side. II is made Of stone. "Madrepora
Astrea," species Of soft coral, while
the walls and exposed points are further
strengthened by = stone uf harder quail
in The castle. begun III the Year l5S..
was built by the Spanlards al a cost al
$40. 0UoEp.
As formidable as san Juan Castle was
it Vas to fail before the attacks nf less