LATEST AMERICAN NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 668, 7 June 1870, Page 2

LATEST AMERICAN NEWS.

THE BLACK FLAG- FLYING AT HAVANA. TWO A.MEBICAN FREEMASONS EXECUTED. EIGHTEEN PERSONS EXECUTED AT HAVANA. New York, April . A letter from Havana gives the details of the arrest and the execution by the Spanish authorities of the alleged Cuban 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 the 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 Catalonian 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 the 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, and seconded by Mr Bamsden, the British Consul, endeavored to save the lives of his two countrymen, but was unsuccessful. The Volunteers insisted upon their life-blood being shed. The two Americans were Freemasons, and one of the Cubans was Senior Andress Lafuente of the Grand Circuit of Masons of the Masons of the Island.

Consul Phillips reports that the remaining prisoners are to be executed booh, but statements from other sources are that the Lieutenant-Go-vernor is opposed to any more executions, and has written to Bodas for instructions. The volunteers, headed by Colonel Boel, were furious at delay, and clamored loudly for the execution of all the arrested parties. It may have happened already that the Lieu-tenant-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 Q-overnment 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. 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. General Queseda, before being superseded by General Jordan, ordered all the prisoners within his immediate command to be shot, and 135 Spaniards were soon sent to their last homes.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 Jordan 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, in spite of the decision of the Fenian Senate. 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 to the brotherhood, is said to be an. agreement to start a new invasion about the Ist of May, or earlier, if possible.