Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1896, and the Annual Report of the Secretary of State

Mr. Williams to Mr. Uhl.

United States Consulate-General,
Habana, April 2, 1895. (Received April 8.)

No. 2465.]

Sir: Believing that it may interest the Department, I inclose the translation of an article taken from El Pais, of this city, purporting to be a recital of the remarks made by the minister of state of Spain on the 4th ultimo concerning the solicitations that I presented to the Governor-general for the trial of Sanguily and Aguirre, American citizens, by the ordinary instead of the military jurisdiction, in accordance with the agreement of the 12th of January, 1877.

I am, etc.,

Ramon O. Williams,
Consul-General.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 2465.—Translated by Consul-General Williams from El Pais, of March 26, 1895.]

the insurgents and the government of the united states.

In the session of Congress of the 4th instant, Mr. Osma asked the Government if it is true that the consul of the United States at Habana had remonstrated because in Cuba there had been arrested some individuals who favor the independence of that island and who had invoked their title of citizens of the United States for the purpose of obtaining their liberation.

The minister of state replied that he had news of such remonstrance, and said there are three persons arrested who invoke that right for their liberation.

He added that one of them had applied to the American consul and the latter made some observations, but that General Calleja had refused to recognize them and the Government had approved his conduct.

He manifested in opposition that the State exercises all its authority within the territory of its sovereignty, and that therefore all who attempt against the integrity of the country are subject to arrest.

He stated that in Cuba there exists the law relating to foreigners of Mr. Pacheco, and in consequence the parties under arrest can not enjoy greater privileges than Spaniards.

He furthermore explained that as the constitutional guaranties are suspended in Cuba, the Governor-General has the right to arrest all suspicious foreigners the same as Spaniards.

He also said that one year before the peace of Zanjon a protocol was formed at Madrid at the instance of the American minister, because among the insurgents arrested there were some citizens of the United States, and it was declared in the protocol of the 12th of January, 1877, that the natives (los naturales) of the great Republic who should take up arms against our country would be tried by the ordinary court—that is, it was granted (sic) that they would not be tried by court-martial.

He concluded by saying that the Spanish Government trusted that the Government of the United States will not interpose difficulties against carrying out the laws, and that if there are any who conspire against the country, pretending to shield themselves under the character of foreign subjects, they will be punished without hesitation.