The New York Herald Newspaper, April 29, 1873, Page 5

NEW ‘YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1873—QUADRKUPLE SHEET. THE PRISONER OF WAR. | A Voice from the Dungeon of "Fort Gerona. O'KELLY IN THE TOILS OF THE SPANIARDS Details of Our Cuban Commissioner’s Adventures. and. Arrest. WISTAKEN TRUST IN. SPANISH HONOR, .An Audience with the Governor of Manzanillo. COCKTAILS BEFORE CONFINEMENT. Seizure of the Notes and Letters of Our Correspondent, How a Prisoner is Treated by Spanish Officials. O’Kelly’s Arraignment Before a Secret Military Tribunal. He Retuses to Recognize the Court. An Attempt to Secure’ Perjured Evidence Against the Prisoner. HE PLEADS TO THE CHARGES, Prospect of a Protracted Im- prisonment, CaLaboz0, Fort bag a MANZANILLO, April 16, 1873. There is no need of apology for a high-sounding address in beginning this letter. When last I had the pleasure of sending a few hurried lines to the HERALD I was seated in one of the leaf-covered huts which made up the “residence of the Repub- lic.” Humble as my shelter was on that occasion it had one attraction which is never thoroughly appreciated until'we have ceased to enjoy it—lib- erty. Inthe midst of the so-called “bandits and escaped negroes’ my person and my profession ‘were sacred, and I was as free as the circumstances would permit. Indeed, the only restraint of which Icould complain was imposed by nature. On all sides the luxuriant forests tempted the en- terprising spirit to wander amid tropical glories, but the amusement could only be enjoyed by those who had the benefit of a forest education, and was therefore beyond my poor acquirements. Although I had the feeling of liberty in its widest sense, the physical obstacles kept me in some sort ® prisoner during my stay in Cuba Libre, but at feast the moral atmogphere which I breathed was redolent of freedom, All that is now changed, and forthe blue skies, and the ever changing shadows among the trees, the soft forest twilights, and the gorgeous noonday glories, I must needs content myself with gazing on four white walls, and con- sole myself with an occasional glimpse of Heaven’s vault caught through the bars of my cell window. This unpleasant transformation is due to the machinations of the wicked Spanish fairy who rules over these parts, and to the confiding sim- Plicity of the HERALD Special Commissioner. In order to save my friends the trouble of discovering the latter fact I think it better to confess my error ‘@t once and plead with public opinion for parden. My fault was the fault of a generous, if somewhat ansophisticated mind. Notwithstanding all I had heard—and I heard enough to make the hair stand ona timorous person’s head, and to freeze the very currents of the heart—I trusted the Spanish authorities. Following the system I have univers- ally adopted since my arrival in this country, I re- fused to believe the word of others, and wished to test every statement by my personal experience. CONFIDING IN SPANISH CHIVALRY AND HONOR. When my intention to return to the Spanish lunes was first announced to the insurgent leaders, and I declined to accept their offer to place me salely in Jamaica, they looked at me in amazement, 8 one whom the gods had driven mad. “What, trust yourself in the hands of the Spaniards?” they said; you will certainly be assassinated.” “That,” I replied, “is exactly what people said in New York beiore I leit, and yet no one has inter- fered with me during my stay in the island. I do mot encertain the same opinion of the Spaniards that you do. If I did I would accept your offer and go to Jamaica, but as I do not I will return to the Spanish lines.” This resolution of mine was received with a general shaking of heads, and until the moment I quit the Cuban forces ferever the chiefs Were never tired of warning me of the risk that I would run of summary extinction as soon as the Spaniards had me in their power. It is not every man that is fool enough to make experiments with his own person, and whatever merit may be due to sublime folly of that nature I may fairly claim. Unfortunately for my own comfort I had read “Don Quixote,” and it has been one of the illusions of my life that some tincture of the chivalry of that noble ass was handed down to the Spaniards of the present day. Sac- Tificing prudence, common sense and the universal experience of those with whom I had come into contact to this pet thgory, I left the Cuban encampments, and at tne risk of my life penetrated the Spanish lines, arriving safely in the town of Manzanillo, and presenting myself to the British Consul without any one in town having the slightest idea or the presence of the HERALD cor- respondent, THE PERILS OF THE OUTPOSTS. At this point let me pause to take breath. Ifa man always understood the full danger of his acts, Ahow much some lives would be changed! It is «quite true that I had a vague feeling that, if uy of the patrols, or outposts made me pris, ener, I might be shot! But it was far irom being a conviction. Some lurking belief in the euuvalry theory unconsciously affected my resolu- tion, and I half pooh-poohed the shooting idea mnder any circumstances. It would be much more heroic to make the public believe that Ifelt assured that if taken by the outposts J would be shot; but it would not be true, and it is better to be on good terms with one’s conscience than enjoy a holiow reputation for a valor which has no-existence. Trained jn the liberal opinions of reputdican En- fope, I have an almost indestructible faith im humanity, and it is aimost inapossible for me to believe in wanton barbarity, or that men will slaughter for the pleasure of slaying. Notwith- standing this generous faith, it is satisfactory to me thatthe Spanish outposts took no notice: of a strange looking man that walkea by them in the open day, endeavoring to appear as unconcerned as possitve, but whose heart, to use a popularism, was in lis mouth, during a march of nearly three \eagues, There was DANGER OF BEING STOPPED AT EVERY YARD during that.morning’s walk, and on one occasion, when I suddeviy came on a soldier, who I think ‘was on sentry, I felt myself disappear in my boots. Of course this Was not at all heroic, The proper thing would have beyn to examiuce my pulse and find that if beat with wonderful regularity; but the truth is, it did not, Not that on ordinary occasions I would have been ‘afraid of this soldier or of any other, for I am not at all willing to admit this; but alter all my bard- ships I felt that to ‘ail on this last step would have been @ bitter misfortune. However, the soldier took no notice of me, and I pretended vo take none of him, and strode slong until an infernal cur dog made @ ferocious demonstration of attacking me. ‘This drew the attention of a number of mobilized volunteers on me, but fortunately one of them called off the dog and I proceeded in peace. My next source of fright were the groups of worthless two-legged curs loafing about the dram shops waiting for their “morning,” and if 1 had pos- sessed @ magnificent wand I would have turned them into London cab mags: but as this supernatu- ral power was not mine I avoided as much as poe sible these groups, and after a series of sig-zage reached the harbor, where I had been informed the oilice of the British Vice Consul was situated, THE SHADOW OF TUB BRITIBH FLAG. Gronpg of Custom House officials were engaged overseeing the discharges of tne two or three mel- ancholy looking vessela moored at the long wharves, and as I passed by they luoked at me in a lazy, sleepy kind of fasbion, but without interfering with my progress or asking any questions, Not that they were very buay, for it appeared to me’ that there were more official superintendents than there were workers. A few miputes; later she harbor of refuge was reached, and; L.read the words of salvation, ‘British Vice Goneulate,”, with more pleasure than I ever read any announcement of the kind before, ) {@3HW BRITIBH CONSUL AT MANZANILLO. Mr. Wiliam Lauten, the representative of the ower and majesty of Great Britain, was in his Mice, and.on my inquiring for the Consul, a large, grave-looking man, somewhat resembling Kaiser William, informed me in English, but with & slight German accent, that he was that dignitary. Having explained to him that 1 was ‘travelling with a British pass- port and that I wanted my papers afranged to ‘enable me to proceed to Ha- vana, 1' handed him my passport and also my cedula, informing him that I was the special cor- respondent of the New YORK HERALD and that I wished him to accompany me to the Governor of the town, to whom it was my intention “to pre- sent myseli.”” Mr. Lauten replied that he thought there would be po difficulty; saying that he would first present my papers, and that if the Governor should desire to see me we would afterwards go to see him together, With this understanding we separated, Mr. Lauten advising me to take up my quarters in the Caballo Blanco until noontime, when the Hayana steamer would arrive. REPLENISHING 4 DILAPIDATED WARDROB! As I had arrived from the maniqua without any- thing that could stamdin the place of a wardrobe, and the clothes I wore bore patent evidence of my travels in Cuba Libre, my first care was to visit the various shops of the town in order to modify, as much as pessible,-my costume, 60 a8 to look as much like the rest of the inhabitants as possible. A shirt collar at one place, a hatin another, anda few other trifies of this nature, combined with a bar- berising, succeeded in restoring me to the dead level of a more civilized human being. THE CABALLO BLANCO AT MANZANILLO. I was congratulating myself on the transforma- tion when lcame in sight of the famous ‘Caballo Blanco,” which presented the appearance of one of those dirty dram shops which one meets with in the poorest quarters of French towns, There was @ small. bar and a very large billiard table, with a couple of greasy looking marble tables oc- cupying the space between. Although it was not much past seven o’clock A. M. a number of Span- ish oMicers were deeply occupied in their usual in- tellectual exercise of making the little ivory balls strike one against another, ‘lo see the joy spread over the faces of these bearded men at a more than usually lucky stroke, one would natu- rally doubt that persons who pass whole days in such innocent amusement could be capable of committing deliberate crimes against humanity. Such sportive joy appeared inconsistent with a disregard for the rights.of @ stranger such as Weuld not be shown by a wavage tribe in Africa. Encouraged by these delusive appearances the HERALD Correspondent entered the Caballo Blanco with that confidence which is the sorrowful heritage of the ingenuous. A BOMBSHELL ‘IN A GROUP OF SPANISH OFFICIALS. The effect of my appearance was electric. Every eye was turned on the intruder in a flercely in- quisitive manner. The signs of good nature and innocent contentment disappeared like magic, and I found myself the centre of observation of various groups of scowling pandours. Even the loved billiard balls were neglected for a moment and I was inspected with unpleasant minuteness. ‘The situation was a trying one. A person of more nerve than I lay claim to might well confess to a certain palpitation of the heart under the hostile gaze of those terrible Spaniards. It was impossible to retreat without exposing oneself to annihilation, so I advanced with what appearance of courage and indifference I could muster to a table which was unoccupied, Having knocked on the marble surface several times without eliciting any re- sponse, I turned in the direction of the bar to see why no one was attending to me, The waiters were in a state of suspended animation in view of the terrible aspect of the Seflores Opiciales, and were absolutely afraid to approach me. It was evident that this would not do, so mustering the small amount of courage left me, I knocked again on the table vigorously and whistled for the waiter. Indignation overcame my natural timidity, and [ must have looked the impersonation of ferocity, for the waiter advanced in double quick time to take my order. In the meantime I thought I would do a little of the Bombastes Furioso, Half turn- ing in the direction of a group of officers who were presided over by a smali, black looking man, with black beard and mustache, cut after the fashion of the Spanish muleteer, I looked as fiercely asI could, This person appeared the very impersonation of “the terribly awful,” and I con- fess to a feeling of satisfaction that it was daylight and that 1 was the possessor of a revolver when I met his withering glances, It is even now a matter of surprise that this terrible person did not cause my death from fright; but the fates would have it otherwise. As I looked at him steadily, and, I flatter myself, somewhat menacingly, this Don Whiskerandos turned white and green and I know not how many other colors. It was evident his ferocity was rising to the extinguishing point, and lwas thinking of consulting my safety in flight when the portentous person of the British Vice Consul loomed in sight. A VISIT TO THE GOVERNOR OF MANZANILLO, This diversion gave me @ momentary relief, but it was of short duration. An invitation to take “the morning”? was declined by the Consul, who informed me that the Governor was particularly anxious to see me. Don Whiskerandos was known to the Consul, and joined the party without any in- vitation, accompanying vs to the house of the Goy- ernor, who was waiting to receive us. What a re- ception! Sefior Don Aristides de Santalis, a lieu- tenant colonel in the army and temporary Gov- ernor of the town, is @ person above the medium height, and not at all ferocious in aspect, On the contrary, being fair, with regular features, he might claim to be rather good-looking, ifhe were so inclined. On presenting myself to this official he looked at me with lofty severity. “Your name is James J. O'Kelly, a newspaper cor- respondent,” he said, ina tone of voice that left no doubt how the unfortunate 0’K. was regarded by authority. Having confessed that | was guilty of the name of O'Kelly and newspaper correspond- entism, I added for the Governor's information that Thad just arrived from the insurgent lines (campo insurrecto). “THEN YOU SHALL GO TO THE FORT,’ replied the Spanish Aristides, drawing himself up to his full height and motioning with bis hand in the direction of Gerona, The aspect of the Gov- érnor at this. moment recalled my boyish notions of Jupiter commanding the gous, and wit always be associated in my mind with the idea of the “grandly awtul.’ It is wonderful how much human nature can bear, The scene in the “Caballo Bianco” had almost used up the last shred of courage Wich I possessed, but thia new outrage, wstead of kiliueg me of} a8 it ought in mercy to have done, only gave me courage to suffer more. Indignant with this Manzanillan Jove, I told him it “was well,” for which I hope to be forgiven, for it was one of the blackest Ifes I ever told in my life. THE SEIZURE OF PRIVATE NOTE BOOKS AND LETTERS, No motive was assigned for my arrest, and as 1 Nad heard so much about summary executions the thought came to me that it would be well to secure the notes and note books which Delonged to Mr. Bennett, by handing them over to the Vice Consul, The Governor tnaisted that they should be given tohim, This Ideclined, and told him that he would have to take them by force, He assured me that force would be resorted to, and. despatched Don Whiskerandos for assistance. Under these circumstances I gave up the note books, and all other papers I had with me, among them a letter of courtesy from Carlos Manuel Cespedes ‘to Mr. James Gordon Bennett, and another letter to the same gentleman from Seior Fornaris y Cespedes, one of the Secretaries of the Cuban Congress. On reflection the Governor said the British Vice'Consul could seal the papers, but that they- would remain in the bands of the authorities, A COCKTAIL WITH THE GOVERNOR. Having descended to earth, “the grandly awful” proposed adrink, and, having no objection, both the Consul and myself censented smilingly. I requested the Consul to telegraph immedi- ately to the British Consul. General the facts of my arrest, and the Governor promised that it should be sent immediately, a promise which he did not consider himself obliged to keep. As the Spanish oMicials donot pay the slightest heed to the representations of the consular agents, and only allow them to telegraph just what is agree- able to the Spanish government, a man in my posi- tion has just the amount of.advice end help from the representatives of his government that the people in power have chosen to permit. Since my arrest not a single telegram has been ‘allowed to pass unless it pleased the Governor, 80 that from the beginning I nave abandoned any effort to make known the true state in which I am placed. Ths letter, though I have the right by law to communicate freely, may never reach its destination, even when every precaution will be taken to prevent 1t falling into the hands of the authorities, The forms of law to which [have been subjected are mere formalities, and my fate 1s as absolutely in the hands of the Captain General as if he disposed of me arbitrarily. But lam antio- ipating. FROM FRIENDLY DRINKS ™ AN UNFRIENDLY DUN- GEON, As soon as the formality of sealing up my papers had been gone through, and the drinks ordered by the Governor had been disposed of, I was conducted by Don Whiskerandos ana another officer of the army to my present place of abode. On inquiry I found that Don Whiskerandos was captain of the plaza, a kind of official combining the duties of policeman and alde-de-camp. After this person’s conduct in the ‘Caballo Blanco,” it is needless to say that there were very fine compliments ex- changed on the way tothe fort. There are never many people in the streets of a Spanish town, but the few scattered groups on the principal square through which we passed, and the inhabitants on the line of mareh, were evidently very much inter- ested in the latest Spanish capture. Most of the inhabitants of Cuban origin being connected with the insurgents, by blood as well as by sympathy, naturally feel an interest in all prisoners, which they are very careful not to manifest too openly, for reasons best known to themselves, It is not to be wondered at that my person was scanned eagerly from many a window, and that every one who ‘encountered us did me the honor to stare at me as though 1 were a new speci- men being conducted to a museum. Itis trying for a bashful man to be stared at so unceremoniously, but somehow I went throngh the ordeal success- fully. In all probability unconsciously, I felt my vanity flattered at the unusual attention, the more 80 a8 @ large part of the offenders were ladies, FORT GERONA AND ITS ACCOMMODATIONS. Fort Gerona is an insignificant building in a com- manding position on the immediate outskirts of Manzanillo. It contains a governor, who is an ofmicer in the artillery corps, and some ten artillery- men. This force is strengthened by a detachment ofinfantry, which is changed every day. In this country the fort is a place of importance, but some of our tolks would be inclined to laugh at the idea of calling such a place as this @ fort. On my arrival I was handed over to the Governor, and accommodated with a share of the calabozo, When I had time to look around, I found that I had for companions another of the hu- Man species and several rabbits. The stench of the place was horrible. A sorrowfal impression immediately took possession of my mind that in case Lescaped death from asphxyia I would cer- tainly fall victim to the yellow fever, This con- viction was so strong that I was debating with my- seif the advisability of making my will, but a little reflection showed me that it was not worth the trouble AN IMPRISONED GENIUS, Turning my attention to my companion in cap- tivity Lfound that he was worth while studying. It would have been diMicult at the first glance to decide his nationality or vocation. He was of the Mongrel kind—a mixture of a navvy and an organ- grinder, The head Italian, the paunch decidedly British, and, taken all for all, not a bad specimen | of the biped kind. When I fixed my attention on him he was seated on the wooden banquette before a kind of stool, which, with the exception ofa settle-bed, was the oniy piece of furniture in the cell. While I was still trying to make out what manner of man he might be, and what the chances were of bis cutting my throat during the night, if he were so advised, he suddenly began to telegraph in a most energetic style. My curiosity being aroused, I approached him, and asked if he were learning to be a telegraphist. He replied that he was, The ice was now broken, and he showed me an ingenious telegraphing machine which he had constructed out of sundry pieces of zinc, brass and wood. It worked admirably, and my fellow- prisoner took immense delight in displaying his dexterity as a telegraphist, as well as the effective- ness of his machine, of which he was naturally very proud. I found that he was a soldier of the sanitary corps, and had been in prison more than six months on the charge of having committed a forgery. No doubt, in the minds of intelligent Spanish oMicers, the companionship seemed quite appropriate. Indeed, it is not certain that they did not think a forger too good an associate for a newspaper correspondent. THE SWASHBUCKLERS IN SPANISH UNIFORM, ‘These “illustrious” swords, as Castelar irottically calls them, hate nothing so much as a newspaper, except the writers, and would willingly employ their ‘“dilustrious” blades in wiping the editorial class out of existence. The sense of their impor- tance only secms to aggravate them, for they feel that the wounds of a pen are incurable. These men, whose swords are for auction, hate corre- spondents and editors the more intensely because they know that the “illustrious” swords are pow- erless against the force of an idea. Before 1 had crossed the Spanish lines, and while they im- agined that I did not understand § the value of their ‘illustrious’? swords, these men protested a love and reverence for the press, and a desire for light on this Cuban question, which might have persuaded a person less creduious thanIam. Now, however, that they imagine I am the repository of the secret history of these Cuban campaigns, about which we have heard so much exaggeration and bombast on both sides, they would willingly quench the light with my blood. There are exceptions, honorable exceptions; but the hatred of the light is pretty general. One fellow, who disgraces a soldier's uniform, told me that he thought 1 was much worse than an insurgent chief, the logical conclusion being that I ought to be treated accordingly. However, it i@ very fortunate for me that there are other con- siderations to be taken Into account as weli as the wistes and passions of the “illustrious” swords and their jackals, the volunteers, FUTILITY OF AN ATTEMPT TO SUPPRESS INFORMA- TION. Whether or not the force of the public opinion of the world will be strong enough to rejease me from my prison I know not; but I am certain that all the iliustrious swords of Spain cannot keep secret one iota of the true condition of Cuba as Known to your special correspondent. The data which ought now to be in possession of the HERALD se- cures the interest of truth, even should your cor- respondent be doomed to eternal silence. FIRST DAYS OF CAPTIVITY. Shut off from communication with my friends for the first four days my position was far from re- assuring. No notice was given me that the tele- ‘gram of the Vice Consul had been detained, and the failure to receive @ reply from any quarter in- creased my anxiety as to the measures the authori- thes were prepared to! take in my regard. Having ventured to defy public opinion by arresting me there was no longer any security that they would not go farther to justify their first step. It would be difficult to convey to the minds of people accustomed to the public administra- tion of justice, and enjoying numberless safe- guards against the abuse of power, even & faint idea of the mental suffering to which one who -finds himseif in the hands of men practically irre- sponsible may be exposed. All confidence in the Jpyalty and chivalry ef Spanish officials had been evaporated by the treatment to which I was sub- jected at the time of my arrest and by the Aspect of the men with whom I had come into contact. The extreme precautions taken by the authorities lest I should escape also had the effect of convincing me that my case was serious. This conveys but a meagre notion of my feelings to those who are unac- quainted with Cuba and the manner in which a war of mutual vengeance is waged. THE CHEAPNESS OF HUMAN LIFE IN CUBA, Here life is no more considered than if it were a thing of no value, and under the pretence of ful- filling the law the most revolting severity is prac tised by the belligerents, It is true that I was not many way mixed up with the mutual slaughter that goes on here unceasingly, but the same right which justified my arrest would easily excuse my assassination, Once @ man is dead it is easy to invent motives to justify his death, and what I had seen of Consular representation left me but little faith either in its eMcacy or its disinterestedness, Had I been shot at the outposts it i even possible that mo one would have heard of my death and I would have been registered among the:shades after the stereotyped fashion, “In such @ point a man fit to bear arms was killed by the troops’? That, in all probability, would have been. the ‘¢legy of your special corre- spondent. Knowing this, [tis not surprising that the first days of my prisom life were days of suffer- ing and of terrivle anxiety, It is a theory of mine that most men die bravely when death is inevita- ble, but the bravest man will shrink from an obscure and unhenored grave when no principle is involved in his dying. To fall a victim to THE SAVAGE PASSIONS OF BRUTAL SOLDIERS, with the certainty that one’s death will pass unno- ticed and unavenged, is the saddest fate that can present itself to the imagination of a human being. It may be thought that these fears were exagger- ated. Allthat I can say is that those who think so ought to visit Cuba and mix among all classes, as Ihave done; perhaps they would then find those jJears very natural. Ifthe public are disappointed that a HERALD correspondent should “be subject to fear” itis their fault, not mine. When I was sent to this island it was not to be heroic, but simply to discharge the duties of ao newspaper correspondent, examine into the social and political state of the coun- try, and afterwards make as clear a report on the subject as my poor abilities would allow. So farasthe mission has depended on me it has. been completed, or rather it would now have been completed if the Spanish authorities in their wisdom had not taken it into their heads to lodge me in this infernal fort, instead of permit- ing me, like sensible people, to go my way in peace. In one of my former letters I characterized this island as the country of croque-mitaines, and here in my Own person is an exceedingly appro- priate illustration of the truth of that state- ment. Im real life a very inoffensive and unimportant person, by the influence of the Peculiar Cuban atmosphere my shadow has been cast in the eye of authority immense and ter- rible. It ia reasonable to suppose that the Spanish government saw some danger in allowing me to go at Mberty, or they would not have arrested me; but their calculations are certainly very perverse, for if I have the wish to injure them I can work with ten times the effect in prison that I could being at liberty. However, as the profession of a JSrondeur, or propagandist, is not at all to my taste, I prefer abandoning all the advantages of political imprisonment for the more solid, if leas brilliant, enjoyments of that editorial chair, about whose existence some of my critics pretend to be incredulous. SHORT-SIGHTED POLICY OF SPANISH OFFICIALS, Some bodies politic are wise enough to desire ar- dently the conversion of enemies into friends, but the military otigarchy that, unfortunately for themselves and fer Spain, rule the destinies of Cuba, seem determined to force well-dispesed neu- trals into a position of hostility. When on my ar- rival in this country, in order to prevent miscon- ception of the motives of my voyage, I professed a love for old Spain, I stated only what every one who knows me knows to be true; but now, when a contrary confession 1s decidedly more dangerous than it would have been in the beginning, 1 must say that my opinions and my feelings have undergone constderable modification. The more that is seen of Spanish government the less one likes it. My experience has been sufficient to disenchant me of many ab- surd prepossessions in its favor. Under the pre- tence of fulfilling the law since my arrest I have been mystified and terrorised in a way that, for the sake of common humanity, I hope wonld be impossible in any other country pretending to be civilized, A BRIEF CHANGE IN JAILERS. On my third day in prison there was an encoun- ter with the insurgents somewhere in the neigh- bvorhood, This news was withheld from me by order, but leaked out bit by bit. My first observa- tion that something unusual had happened was founded on the temporary withdrawal of the regular soldiers from the tort, which was occupied for one day by the volunteers, These gentry did not fail to mark their littie friendship for me in every way in which they dared to manifest their feelings. It was, therefore, with something like relief that I saw myself again under the guardian- ship of the regular soldiers, who, having buried their dead comrades, came back to town to await their turn to be slaughtered by the bullet or wasted by disease. It is impossible not to feel sympathy for these poor dupes, who bleed and suffer for the exaggerated ambition of others, In the main they are good-hearted, simple and stupid, wonderfully obedient and passably brave, Ithas always been a puzzie to me why 80 many men whom nature intended only for minding sheep should have the pretention to don a soldier's uniform, in which they appear as much outof place ag would an ass in @ lion’s hide, But human nature is full of contradictions, and those peo- ple for the most part, while liking the soldier's clothes, dislike infinitely the hardships and dangers of a soldier's life, A MODERN COURT OF INQUISITION. [had scarcely been reassured for my immediate safety by the return of the regular troops when an incident occurred that threw me again into the greatest uncertainty as to my proba- ble fate. On the evening of the fourth day of my incarceration {[ was preparing to seek forgetfulness of my troubies in sleep when the cell door suddenly opened and the cor- poral of the guard ordered me, in a peremptory tone, “to pass this way.” Iwas already in disha- bite, but, notwithstanding, I obeyed the order of the corporal. On reaching the door I perceived that there were a number of officers waiting out- side, and not wishing to appear bare headed before these gentry I returned to my cell to seek my hat. I was then conducted into @ small room adjacent to the one I occupied, where I found three officers in fall uniform and a@ civilian waiting to receive me. It was already dark, and the room was lighted by a small lamp placed on the table before one of the officers, who appeared to perform the duties of a secretary, There was something spiritual in the uncertain glimmering ofthat Jamp. The assistants were haif in shadow, and the ecene fall of mystery and gloom. The effect on my imagination was terrific; all the stories of secret murders aod asssasivatious that Thad heard from the moment of my arrival in Cuba rushed into my mind, and I saw myself A VICTIM TO THE VENGEANCE AND HATBED OF THE AUTHORITIES. A few days before I had learned practically what Men mean when they talk of military law and mill- lary justice, and certainly the prospect of being tried by a military tribunal was not reassuring. It Would be dimcult, if not absolutely impossible, to give anything like an idea of the Jeelings of the first moments in which I found myself so suddenly and unexpectedly before a court martial. A small, wiry man, nervous in expression and movement, sharpin feature and evidently possessing more than the average intelligence of Spanish oMcers, aRdressed me in Spanish, informing me that he Was the fiscal appointed by the Captain General to examine me as to the causes of my arrest, and that the other persons present were the secre- tary and two interpreters appointed to assist me. This was repeated, for form’s sake, by one of the in- terpreters, in English. In the meantime I had leisure to examine the “court” with more atten- tien, The fiscal wore the uniform of a major, and his quick, impatient action and habit of speaking, as well as his close cropped, iron gray hair, gave him more the appearance of a Frenchman than o¢ a Spaniard. Neither of the interpreters spoke Eng- lish very fluently, or understood it very profoundly, although the civilian, whom I aiterwards learned was TRE ALCALDE OF MANZANILLO, informed me that he had been seven years in the United States, This person deserves more than a passing notice. Much above the ordinary size, he belongs to that class of giants who devote their im- mense physical strength to the useful employment of selling ribbons, pins and matters of that nature. His whole person conveyed an idea of the nobility of soul naturally associated with his elevated pur- suit. He had been prosperous in life—that was in evidence—and if things continue in the same road for many years he may hope one day to rival the celebrated Daniel Lambert. Such is the advantage of a quiet, if not a very clear, conscience. Over a fat round face of unusual pallor plays a constant angelic smile, typical of innocence and goodness of heart. Notwithstanding these personal advan- tages this good man fell under the suspicion of the authorities as not having been able to resist the temptation to turn an honest penny by selling sup- Plies to the insurgents at a good profit. His con- nections were suspicious, although Old Spain had the honor of giving birth to this prosperous and simpering Alcalde. Somehow the suspicions never went to proef, and, as is usual in this changeable clime, the suspected rebel of one day became the devoted patriot of the next. It appeared to this worthy that my arrest offered an easy and safe way of exhibiting his devotion to the Spanish cause, and during my various examinations before the Fiscal, he, on all occasions, endeavored to give the most unfavorable interpretations to what I said in order to prove his patriotism. As soon as this smiling personage had concluded speaking REFUSAL OF. THE PRISONER TO PLEAD. Iinformed the Fiscal that I refused to take any part in the proceedings until my Consul was pres- ent. This objection seemed to take them some- what by surprise, but it was admitted, the Fiscal informing me that I could not claim the presence of my Consul as aright, but that in order to give me more confidence in the good faith of the tribu- nal he would notify the Consul to be present in the morning. I confess that I felt relieved when the session came to anend. The impression made on my mind by the whole proceeding was most un- favorable. All the guarantees that we are accus- tomed to look for ina court of law were absent, Confined in @ fort, surrounded by soldiers, no wit- nesses allowed to be present, the refusal of Uberty of speech, the semi-gloom of the room and the secresy of the proceedings, all tended to re- call memories of the barbarous ages. It would have beem easy to imagine oneself before the judges of the Inquisition—there was only need to intro- duce the rack and to change the uniform of the soldier for the frock of the priest. Iam not satis- fled but that there were not more guarantees for the life and liberty of an accused man in the courts of the Inquisition than are afforded by the military courts marttal of the nineteenth century. RE-ASSEMBLING OF THE SECRET COURT, Next morning the Court assembled early, Mr. Lauten, the Vice Consul, being present. Aiter the form of opening the Court I was asked my name, country, age and religion. To this series of ques- tions I replied by asking who were the persons that made the inquiry. This information hav- ing been given I asked whether tne tribunal was military or civilin its character, The Fiscal an. swered that it was military. I then, in the pres- ence of the British Vice Consul, retused, as the subject of an independent State, to ac- knowledge the jurisdiction of a military court. I was proceeding to offer further reasons in & short speech which 1 had sketched out in the morning, when I was sud- denly stopped by the Fiscal, who informed me that Iwas to answer categorically his questions, and not to enter into any inconvenient discussions. He then read for me a portion of some regulation in which he warned me that my conduct would be prejudicial in case I continued to DENY THE AUTHORITY OF THE COURT. Notwithstanding this warning I persisted in my refusal, and, after a number of formalities, the Court adjourned. One advantage derived from these legal proceedings was the removal of absolute prohibitions to communicate with the outer world. Permission was given to renew my wardrobe, which was sadly in need of being renewed. In these circumstances I have to thank Mr. Lanten, the British Vice Consul, for the prompt and generous way in which he placed tus services and fands at my disposition, With clean underclothing came other reforms scarcely less desirable. My ingenious triend and the rabbits were removed, and the air of my cell had become more purified, or else I had become more used to it. Since then, however, the telegraphist has been sent back, and tho result is that I am not for an instant, day or night, free from the most minute supervision, A NIUHT OF EXCITEMENT. The night of my refusal to acknowledge the mill- tary court 1 was alarmed by the frightful noise made by the soldiers after I went to bed. Truly the thought came to me that my last hour had arrived, and in order to receive the expected nott- fication of my execution with becoming dignity I got up and dressed myself. The tramp of soldiers, the rattle of grounding arms and the clanging of swords on the paved court continued tor a long time, during which I suffered the most terrible sus- pense. No reply had come to my telegrams or let- ters, though five days had passed, and 1 felt assured that if the news of my arrest had been communicated to the British Consul General or the representative of the Heratp in Havana that I would not have been left without some word. It was only natural that my first fears should return with renewed force. The temptation to go to the door to learn the cause of the unusual movement was very great; but as 1 was unwilling to give to my Jailers the satisfaction of witnessing my anxiety I lay down on the bed to wait the result, There the idea of being shot, without the power of communi- cating with my friends, slaughtered like a sheep without the power or the means of resistance, caused me to pass hours of bitter anguish, How I cursed my foolish confidence in the honor and faith of Spanish officials! I would nave given all I pos- sessed in the world to be A HUNDRED YARDS FROM THE SPANISH OUTPOSTS WITH A RIFLE IN MY HANDS. This, I admit, was not heroic, bat it was human, and though I risk destroying whatever reputation for valor Imay have acquired, it is more honorable to my mind to speak the trath than to build up a false reputation, which in after life would be to me @ source of constant self-reproach. One of the least pleasurable subjects of reflection ts @ military execution, when one has reason to fear that he may be the central figure in the picture that presents itself to the mind. Next to being shot the least enjoyable thing that I know is to imagine that one may be subject for target practice; but this is one of those traths that can only be known to a select lew who have the distinction to pass through the experience and survive it, Still, when one finds himself exposed to this risk, although it is an unpleasant subject—or, rather, because it is so— the mind of the unfortunate obstinately centres ft all the details of the scene, which is presented td the imagination with terrible distinctness, A SHORT SHRIFT IN CUBA LIBRE, In my case this tendency was aggravated by rex centevents, Among the insurgents was & prise oner whose only crime, so far as I know, was that of being @ Spanish soldier or officer, Ha had been placed on trial before @ court martial, and I had seen him conduct ing his defence as I passed by the point on my way to take a bath in a riverclose by. Half an hour later, leaying the bath, I waa startled by the report of firearms, which was folv lowed by the heart-rending shrieks of women. For a moment I thought the camp had been surprised j but as the firing ceased with the one voliey, those who were bathing with me informed me that in all probability the court martial had sentenced the prisoner to death and he had been immediately executed. The shock of that event had beem severe, It was not the first death by bullets among the insurgents during my stay with them, but ft was the one that made me fee? most keenly the terrible state of society into which 1 had been thrown. All my previons {déas of the sanctity of life and the protection of the law were annihilated, and I had come to recognize that force was the only law which could impose respect for right or life in this Island of Cuba, With shese im» Pressions fresh and vivid in my mind It is scarcely surprising that I fell asleep wondering why men who are shot fall forward, and ifI should furnish an exception to this general rule. A SUSPENSION OF PROCEEDINGS. Next morning, having somewhat recovered from the depression ot spitits in which Thad been for Some days, I wrote a letter to the Vice Consuly asking him to sce the ‘Fiscal and request him ta, suspend further proceedings until a reply came to @ telegram which 1 desired to be. sen¥ to Mr. Dunlop, the British Consul General in Cuba, requesting him to obtain my removal to Havana for trial. The Fiscal sent me dack word that hi would awalt the reply, and nothing was done ti next day, when the Court reassembled, althougty no repiy had been recelved tomy telegram, Even now there is no certainty that this telegram hag been delivered, as no acknewledgment of its re« ceipt has come either by telegraph or by mail. VIOLATING THE HERALD CORRESPONDENCE. On the reassembling of the Court on the 6th off April I was surprised to find that Mr. Lauten, tha British Vice Consul, appeared as witness in the case. I wished to protest, but was ordered to re« matin silent, and the Fiscal farther forbade any com- munication between me and the representative of my Government. The Vice Consul, under protest, then recognized the packet of papers which I hag delivered to him as my property, and the Fiscal ing a theatrical fashion broke the cover, saying that if the English government protested that he, ag judge, would assume the responsibility of his acts It was dificult to refrain. from laughing at the figure cut by this official while, ke ® modern Ajax, he was defying | tha British, thunder. In the ;packet were found three note books, filled with notes concerning the state of Cuba, books and notes being the property of Mr. James Gordon Bennett. A letter from Cars Jos Manuel Cespedes and one from Fornuris y Ces pedes, one of the secretaries of the Cuban Camara, addressed to Mr. Bennett, a list of women and chil- dren whom the insatgonts alleged to have been killed by the Spaniards in cold blood, and somo unimportant private papers, made up the contents of the packet. AS it was necessary to have the notes translated into Spanish in order to prepara the charges against me, the Court adjourned, an I was left in peace to ruminate over the beauties of Spanish justice. NEWS FROM FRIENDS AT LAST. The first answer to any of my communication¢ came from the Consulate at Santiago de Cuba, where the news of my arrest had boen received fiv days after the first telegram, This 1s a sample the freedom of communication that has been per- mitted me, and the ideas of justice and fair play entertained by the people in whose hands L have sa confidingly placed myself. Had I been leas credu- lous, or more so, I would have taken the advice of the Cubans and proceeded to Jamaica. However, regrets are useless. esides there is @ littie secret history attached to the circumstan which decided me not to place myself entirely f the hands of the insurgents. It appears very strange that communications which | sent by special agents have never reached the Hera.p, for, as I have heard nothing of them, I assame that they never reached. This circumstance strikes m@ as very suspicious, because the messengers wera thoroughly reliable, and ifthe communications im question have not arrived they must have been stopped by interested parties. t. present I am completely in the dark, but as soon as Mr. Prica arrives I will know better what to think about tha apparent miscarriage. There are a great many’ things which I have to say that 1 cannot say now lest my reasons for saying them should be misunderstood. In oneofmy first letters th belief was expressed that it was almost impossible to write the whole truth without offending botty parties, and I am now more than ever convinced hat to write about this Cuban question one re=, quires to be absolutely irce from even the sus- picion of being influenced by either side, ‘A RESORT TO PERJURY. On the 8th of April I was again brought ont ol my cell at the command of authority to take part in @ most disgraceful farce. Up to this date feared the vengeance of the authorities, bag did not believe them capadle of de- ascending to contemptible means to ex- cuse whatever action they may project against me. When my cell door opened I saw number of civilians ranged in the courtway, an while I was [overeat | my brain to imagine what these people had to do with me, the Fiscal told m@ to take off my hat, and afterwards my coat. Al- thongh very much surpemed and puzzled, I didas £ was told. | was then handed a hat and coat bes longing to another man, which, as directed, I pat on. Then the Fiscal ordered me to place myself among the civilians and await the result. I did so, and in an instant after the door of the room next to my cell was opened carefully, as if to. allow ti issue of a wild animal. Instead of a wild beast, igger girl came out, and was immediately ec! by the Fiscal to recognize ‘ENGLISHMAN WHOM SHE HAD SEEN WITH OR3- PEDES in the camp of Panchulucas, in Cuba.” The whole import of the farce was at once evident. Never in the girl’s life had she seen me with Cespedes, for I had neither been to Panchutucas nor had { seen Cespedes in that district of Cuba, However, 1 was very easy to recognize me. For some 4a: before my attention had been drawn to an unusual concourse of colored visitors in the fort, and evere if this had no influence It ts very yew to pick out an Irishman from any number of Cuban civilians> besides, in their great hurry I was placed in ling with my Le and blue flannel trowsers, whic! taken together with @ Cuban hat and @ white coat, must have presented a costume capable of attract. ing the attention of even an ignorant nigger. ‘Three times the farce of changing portions of my costume was gone through, and in order to maka assurance doubly sure one of the officials entered the room where the girl was confined each tima that a slight change of costume was effected, not, of course, With the object of informing her of the change, in case she should be suificiently ‘eread not to know me in—a stupidity so grea’ that it passes bellef. requested to to be spare: this farce, but the fiscal informed me that it wag only a formality. Thida was not dificult to believe, because so much as I have seen of their legal pro- ceedings have been little more than the merest formalities, RECOGNITION OF THE SPANISH TRIBUNAL, This incident, however, had considerable in- fluence in yt | me to recognize the mill. tary court, in order to hasten the proceedings, The conviction was forced upon me that | waq completely in the power of the authorities, renee’ if they could find a person willing to swear that had been ina point where J never set my foot, 16 was evident they could find others willing to swean whatever they thought pleasing to the authorities, Under such a system no man’s life could be con- sidered safe, and I thought the best thing to be done was to have the matter settled befure toa many aspirants to the distinction of perjuty could, have time to present themselves. I, therefore, ty general statement, admivting that, LD correspondent, 1 HAD ENTERED THE INSURGENT LINES, visitea the camp of Calixto Garcia, Modesto Diaz, and other chiefs, as wellas “the residence of tha republic, and its occupant, Carlos Manuel Ces- des.’ Since then I have enjoyed more liberty o1 a relative kind, and am to @ certain extent iree petty annoyances, PROSPECT OF A PROTRACTED IMPRISONMENT. It has been hinted to me that the papers in mp case will leave by the steamer to-day, and whem the authorities in Havana have perased them, they will decide what disposition will be in my case, From this it ia evte that I shall be here for many days yet. Untortunately the position is not favorable for Writing, and for reasons easy to conjecture, I da not make much use of pen. This aoa however, it struck me that it would be a good ide: to try what was the value of the ireedom of come munication which the law secures me, as far ag the statutes can secure anything. As to my future ‘what the people In power think of foros Wie tre. No word fas come the British Consul General that would enable me to form an the matter, whichis to me of the utmost Mportance. “some four of five days must elapse before the Captain General can decide on course of action, and if no help comes from Madri before then | mav look forward to the continuance of an imprisonment which {8 for me most irritati and inconvenient. In the letters and telegri sent from here the necessity of sett in Madrid has been constantly ins! on, and um less the repablican government is as stapid as thé authorities here the aifair ought now to have beer arranged, if my communications are allowed pass.