Mr. Springer to Mr. Uhl.
Habana, June 21, 1895.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of 18th instant.
In reply, I have to state that the transfer of the causes of Sanguily, as well as the case of Aguirre, was made to the civil jurisdiction about the middle of May last, and are now being prosecuted before the judge of the Cerro district court, specially assigned thereto, and will be decided in special part of this superior court (sala especial de la exina audiencia).
The cases of Sanguily and Aguirre present the anomaly that, whereas they were arrested upon the breaking out of the insurrection upon the charge of conspiracy and attempt at rebellion, they have not yet been brought to trial, while many others arrested subsequently, not upon suspicion or attempts, but for overt acts of participation in the insurrection, and those who presented themselves to the authorities within the period in which was promised pardon for their offense have been released, and are now at liberty.
Only the three American citizens, Sanguily, Aguirre, and Carrillo, arrested solely on suspicion and charged with attempt at rebellion, were subjected to extreme arbitrary measures and harsh treatment by the military authorities before the efforts of the United States Government succeeded in getting their cases transferred to the civil jurisdiction. In the case of Carrillo there was no process instituted, no indictment drawn, but he was held under an arbitrary gubernative order until released and deported to the United States.
There seems to be no reason for the intentional delay in prosecuting the charges against Sanguily and Aguirre, and their continued imprisonment, and the deduction is obvious that they are discriminated against on account of their quality of being American citizens.
I am, etc.,
Vice-Consul-General.