The prisoners were taken ashore and tried by court-martial. They were accused of piracy. They pleaded that they had not undertaken the voyage to Cuba of their own free will, but had been forced to do so by the passengers. They insisted that they were innocent of any intention to wrong Spain.
In spite of this they were sentenced to death. They declared themselves to be American citizens, and their sentence was suspended until the truth about their nationality could be learned.
It was found that they were really Americans, and so the Government immediately sent a protest to Spain, and the three men were sent to prison until an answer could be received.
After a long time word came from Madrid that the men were to be granted a new trial. Ten months have gone by since the new trial was ordered, and still these prisoners have not had justice done them. They have been kept in close confinement in the Cabanas prison, and have been punished as much as if they had been really guilty, but their trial has been put off for one reason or another until it now appears as if the authorities did not mean to give them an opportunity of securing their freedom.
The schooner has also been held all this time by Spain, and her owners are anxious to have her returned that they may have the use of her services once more.
After waiting patiently for nearly a year, Congress has at last taken a hand in the matter.
A joint resolution has been passed, empowering the President to take such steps as he thinks fit to secure the release of the prisoners, and to have the boat restored to her owners.
The resolution also gives the President authority to employ such means and use such power as he may think necessary to accomplish this purpose.
The Spaniards are angry at the action we have taken in both the Ruiz and Competitor cases, but their especial anger is vented on our consuls in Cuba.