One hundred years ago
A very disagreeable incident has oc- curred at Gibraltar. Two refugees from Cuba, against whom nothing is alleged except treason, landed without passports, and were immediately con- veyed by the British police across the frontier. The Spanish police thereupon arrested them, and they are now in con- finement. So far, nothing is proved, beyond the occurrence of a most regret- table accident; but it is alleged, on Spanish testimony, that the expulsion was previously arranged with the Spanish authorities, who now openly boast of the assistance rendered them. Questions have been asked in Parlia- ment, and the Government, evidently believing part of the accusation, has ordered the most strict inquiry. If true, the story is a very bad one. The British police, situated as they are in Gibraltar, are naturally friendly to the Spanish police across the frontier, who can, if they please, make their lives a burden to them; but expulsion for want of passports is absurd, and Cuban in- surgents are, of all men, entitled to the benefit of a refuge.
Spectator, II November 1882
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