The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-09-25 00:00:00

MILITARY RIOT IN MADRID.

THE CITY UNDER MARTIAL LAW.
MADRID, Sept. 20.
Late last night two squadrons of cavalry and 200
infantry, quartered at the San Gil Barracks in this
city, attempted a rising, and fired several shots,
wounding the sentinels. The rebels, accompanied by
a large number of civilians, marched through the
principal streets shouting," Long live the Republic !
"Long live the Army !" and "Long live Spain !" The
troops were immediately called out in pursuit of
the rebels, who on their way met a brigadier arid
colonel of the artillery, both of whom were knocked
down and killed. The rebels then marched on
towards the Southern Railway Station, and on ap-
proaching some other barracks were fired on by the
troops. At the same time other forces came up. and
after a short engagement the rebels, finding that their
rising was not responded to, took to flight under cover
of the darkness. Many of the rebels, principally
civilians, entered the Southern Station, and, taking
possession of a train, started towards Alcala do
Henares. Others fled to the outskirts of Madrid.
Many, of them have been arrested, including several
officers. The town is now tranquil. The remainder
of the garrison took no part in the movement
Madrid has been proclaimed in a state of siege.
MADRID, Sept. 20,9.30 a.m.

Perfect tranquillity now prevails, but there is con-
siderable excitement. Many of the rebels fled by train
on the Southern railway. Orders have been tele-
graphed to stop them. Among them is said to be
Brigadier Villacampa, who headed the rebellion.
Troops have been sent in all directions and in the
neighbouring villages with orders to capture the
fugitives.

A. correspondent telegraphed as follows from
Madrid on Monday: The continual rumours of con-
spiracy and rebellion have at length found head in a
quarter where it was least expected. At half-past
eleven o'clock last night an infantry regiment, known
as the Garellano, and quartered in the San Gil bar-
racks, broke out into open revolt. They broke
through a partition wall and joined two squadrons
of a cavalry regiment, whom they urged to join
them in establishing a Republic in Spain. The colonel
of the regiment, who arrived just in the nick of time,
and other officers did all they could to dissuade their
men from joining in so rash a venture. Dray, ing their
swords they endeavoured to pievent by force the
soldiers from leaving the barracks. The rebels, how-
ever, pressed forward, cut down three of the leading
officers, overthrew others, and gained the open streets.
Altogether 240 infantry and 80 cavalrymen joined the
revolt. The largest party consisting, it is believed, of
about 200 men, marched in the direction of Pardo,
where 2000 Spanish troops are quartered. The other
group, under the command of a half-pay captain,
marched without any check from the barracks, which
are situated at the north end of Madrid, right through
to the south of the city, taking all the leading
thoroughfares on the way and shouting, "Viva in
Republica" continuously. The citizens in the streets
were amazed. The authorities evidently were totally
unprepared for the rebellion, and no attempt was
made at the outset to interfere with the rebels. It is
a satisfactory sign, however, that the civilians held
themselves entirely aloof from the enzeute, a quiet
irdifference being maintained. In the theatres
the wildest rumours prevailed. The shouts of the
rebels and firing of shots in the streets gave rise to a
panic, and the audiences rushed from the buildings
in an excited state, and, of course, the performances
were brought to a premature close. The band of in-
surgents first stayed in their march through the
streets to open an attack upon the military factories.
With their small arms, however, they could make but
little effect upon the building, and they were beaten
off by the guard. Next they opened fire upon The
docks and the artillery barracks, from each of which
they were repulsed by the fire of those on guard.
Then the rebel captain led his men to the Southern
Railway Station, which they forcibly seized,
and from whence a number escaped by a
special train. Meantime the doings of the rebels
had been promptly reported to head-quarters, and
General Pavia, with a large force of loyalist troops,
was speedily in pursuit. Coming up with the rebels
at the Southern Railway Station, he called upon them
to surrender, a demand which only called forth a
volley. The loyalist troops replied, and after a short
but smar:-, fusilade the station was carried at a quar-
ter to three this morning by the loyalists; but in the
meantime the special train, with many of the insur-
gents, had gone. The remainder of the rebels were
dispersed, several being shot or captured in endeavour-
ing to effect their escape. Those who did evade
capture fled into the open country, General Pavia
following closely at their heels witir bands of light
cavalry. Only three or four officers joined the
insurgents, and of these one was killed in the
fight at the railway station. Details of the fighting
and of the incidents in connection therewith abound.
Brigadier-General Velarde was met near the artillery
barracka by a small group of civilians, under the com-
inand of an artillery officer, who ordered him to shout
"Viva la Republica." The General promptly de-
clined, and addressed some indignant words to the
rebel officer. His harangue, however, was cut short
by one of the mob, who fired his revolver at the
loyal General, the bullet lodging in his head. He was
afterwards removed to the hospital, where he died in
the arms of his wife, who had arrived only a few
minutes before. Count Mirasol, a colonel of the artil-
lery, was shot dead while bravely leading the loyalist
troops. Among Ministers the event caused the
greatest surprise. A Council was immediately held,
and at three o'clock this Morning an order was issued
proclaiming martial law. Not only the Ministers,
but all the authorities were the victims of the
greatest surprise, but activity is now observable
everywhere. One insurgent captain and several of
the rebel soldiers who escaped into the country have
been brought back. Numerous arrests of civilians
have also taken place, some compromising dccu-
ments, it is alleged, having been found. The
authorities are anxiously waiting news of the doings
of the larger band of insurgents, which marched
towards Pardo. The loyalist troops are in hot
nursuit.