of the boat’s crew.  The ‘Mensagera’ came to Havana with the arms and prisoners, who were very seasick.  The schooner was towed to Havana by the gunboat ‘Vicente Yanez.’  It is regarded as an object of great curiosity by the crowds.  It had the Spanish flag floating when captured.  It is a neat, strong boat, and looks fast.  One of the prisoners captured steadily refuses to give his name.”

An account of the trial, as sent from Havana, May 8th, reads as follows: 

“The court opened at the Arsenal.  The prisoners were Alfredo Liaborde, born in New Orleans; Owen Milton, of Kansas; William Kinlea, an Englishman, and Elias Vedia and Teodore Dela Maza, both Cubans.  Captain Ruiz acted as president of the court, which consisted of nine other military and naval officers.  The trial of the five filibusters captured aboard the ‘Competitor’ was proceeded with against the formal protest presented by Consul General Williams, who declared that the trial was illegal and in violation of the treaty between Spain and the United States.

“The prisoners were not served with a copy of the charges against them and were not allowed to select their own counsel, but were represented by a naval officer appointed by the government, They were not permitted to call witnesses for their defense, the prosecution calling all the witnesses.  Owen Milton, of Kansas, testified through an interpreter that he came on the expedition only to correspond for a newspaper.  William Kinlea, when called, was in his shirt sleeves.  He arose and said in English, ’I do not recognize your authority, and appeal for protection to the American and English consuls.’”

Fortunately for these prisoners, the United States government interfered, and they were eventually released.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Weyler the Butcher.

His Ancestry—­A Soldier From His Youth—­He Succeeds General Campos—­A Master of Diplomacy—­A Slave of Spain—­His Personal Appearance—­His Interview With a Woman—­His Definition of War—­ His Resignation.

Early in 1896, when the Spanish government began to realize that the insurrection was assuming serious proportions, arrangements were made for the recall of General Campos, then Governor-General of the island, and General Weyler was sent to assume the duties of the office.  It was the opinion in Spain that Campos was too mild in his treatment of the rebels, and as Weyler was known to have no lamb-like qualities, he was regarded as the ideal man for the position.  That he did not succeed in putting down the rebellion was certainly not due to any lack of extreme measures on his part.  He is known as the “Butcher,” and his management of affairs in Cuba certainly gives him every right to the title.

Valeriano Weyler y Nicolau, to give him his full name, is only half a Spaniard.  His father was a Prussian, though Weyler himself was born in Cadiz in 1839.  His parents were in very moderate circumstances and not of noble birth.  What Weyler has won he has acquired through his own efforts.  He has made his way single-handed.  He graduated from the infantry school at Toledo in 1857 and was at once sent to Cuba as a subaltern.  He was quickly made a captain and his first work was to subdue a small revolt in San Domingo.