AMERICAN-NEWS.
SUBSIDISING OF THE PACIFIC
MAIL COMPANY.
EIGHTEEN PEES 0N S EXECUTED AT HAVANA.
TWO AMERICAN FREEMASONS
EXECUTED
THE BLACK FLAG FLYING AT
HAVANA
DATES TO 4th APRIL
NEW YORK, March 3.
A letter from Havana gives the details of the arrest and execution by the Spanish of the alleged Cubau Junta, at Santiago. The arrests numbered forty to fifty; eighteen were executed, including two Americans. The victims, when arraigned before the Commission that condemned them, admitted the existence of tho association to which they belonged, but denied being a political Junta, only a Masonic lodge; that they met as Masons for Masonic purposes. This defence appears to have angered instead of satisfying the Spaniards. A Calouian priest, who has been noted for his ultraism, his loyalty, and violent denunciation of Cubans, pronounced the Freemasons no better than insurgents ; that the rising of Yara was plotted and planned in a Masonic lodge; that Cespedes is a Mason, and wherever Masons congregate there Spanish loyalty dies. The American Consul, Mr. Phillips, ably seconded by Mr. Eamsden, the British Consul, endeavoured to 'save the lives of. his two countrymen, but was unsuccessful. Tho volunteers insisted upon their life-blood being shed, as well as that of their Cuban associates, and thwarted all his appeals to the Governor of the district to spare them. The two Americans were Freemasons, and one of the Cubans was Senior Andress Lafuente of tho Grand Circuit of Masons of the island. Consul Phillips reports that the remaining prisoners are to be executed soon, but statements from other sources are that the Lieutenant-Governor is opposed to any more executions, and has written to Eodas for instructions. The volunteers, headed by Colonel Boel, were furious at the delay, and clamoured loudly for the execution of all the arrested parties. It may have happened already that the Lieutenant-Governor has had to succumb to their demand. It is certain that the Americans are also included in the lot.
Consul Phillips has asked the American Government for a man-of-war. The British Consul has also written to his Government that a British war vessel should be kept constantly at his disposal. t On the 12th a British subject, Frederick Jordan, was murdered by the Spanish volunteers. The murderer was arrested. This act is said to have been done from other motives than politics. The World's Havana correspondent writes that the Cubans had begun to retaliate on the Spaniards. General Q.uesada, before being superceded by General Jordan, ordered all the prisoners within his immediate command to be shot, and 135 Spaniards were soon sent to their last homes. When Jordon took command he shot 300 prisoners. The black flag is flying on both sides now, and a war of extermination has set in.
The Times New York special says it is now positively known that General O'Neill, chief of the Fenians, is again on the war path, and resolved on another invasion of Canada, at all hazards, in spite of the recent decision of the Fenian Senate against the policy at present. It is said that a majority of the brotherhood will support O'Neill, being dissatisfied with the slow action of the Senate. The result of the consultation of O'Neill with General Keerwin, secretary of war of the brotherhood, is said to be an agreement to start a new invasion about the Ist of May, or earlier, if possible.
AMERICAN-NEWS.
Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 104, 10 May 1870, Page 3
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