Mr. Springer to Mr.
Rockhill.
United
States Consulate-General,
Habana, November 18,
1896.
No. 220.]Sir: With reference to the case of the Competitor prisoners, I herewith transmit a copy
of a letter received this morning from Ona
[Page 743]
Melton respecting the continuation of the trial of
himself andthe other prisoners and the information given him by the
judge that the case would be settled very soon.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 220.]
Mr. Ona Melton
to Mr. Springer.
Fort Cabana, Cell 41, November 16, 1896.
Dear Sir: The trial of the Competitor prisoners by ordinary naval
court-martial in the “cuarto de bandera” in Fort Cabana was
continued yesterday before the Naval Judge Instructor Fernandez
Lopez Saul and the full depositions of Dr. Vedia, Jorge Ferran,
Teodoro Maza, and myself were taken. As far as I know, nothing new
or different was developed by these depositions from those made in
the previous court-martial of May.
The “juez instructor” told me personally that the case would be
settled very soon.
I take the first opportunity to inform you of this, as I was
requested to write to the consulate whenever anything new occurred,
to keep the consulate informed. This was before General Lee
left.
I protested against the method of procedure when the trial began a
few weeks ago, but really I suppose it makes but little difference
about the method of trial, as I fancy that the Spaniards have
decided beforehand what they intend doing with us, and the trial
will be a mere form.
I am, etc.,
