The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-05
9 u d A
The Reign of Terror in
Havana.
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PROGRESS OF THE REVOLUTION.
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Working Of the Amnesty Pro-
clamatiOn.
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LABOaS or THE PEACE COMMISSION.
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PROGRESS OF THE REVOLUTION.
LABOaS OF THE PEACE COMMISSION.
Rumored Capture Of Cespedes
and Aguilera.


yesterday from Havana with full list OF passengers
and the mails to the 30th ultlmo.
Among the passengers we notice the names OF Don
Antonio Borchiller Morales, Don Jose NJ. Morales
Lemus, ana several other eminent Cubans, whose
arrival here at this unusual season for tropical yis
tants has doubtless some significance.
Our letters given below viii be found TO contain
Interesting details regarding the revolution.
The Reign of Terror in Havana-The Spanish
Volunteers and Their ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF
the Murders 1T the Louvre--ssnciSinG of the
ALBANIA Mausion--OGicial Correspondence
Between the United States Consul and the
Captain General.
HAVANA, Jan. IS, 1869.
Since my last we have had something akin to
carnival of blood in this citya elimination OF the
intense cnmity which exists between the Cubans and
Spaniards and which, long repressed by the arm OF
authority, has at length broken out in violence,
murder and assassination. This feeling on the part
OF the natives has for its object more particularly the
Spanish volunteers, organized by Lersundi, who,
while energetic In support OF the revolution which
relieved Spain from yoke, are none the less so TO
retain the one on the necks OF these ISLANDERS The
battalions consist OF seven, numbering in all
between 5000 and 5000 men. Those Organized
after the breaking ont OF the instruction are
mostly composed of well ordered citizens, but others
OF more recent date made up OF employees in the
saloons cafes and warehouses; they men with
out property and consequent interest in the island
with everything TO gain and nothing to lose mostly
uneducated and brutal in their instncts-the last
body OF men to be entrusted with arms in hostile
city, under the severest discipline. When not
duty they have been allowed to carry their wea-
pons to their homes in the streets and coffee houses
and their demeanor Outlines insolent and overbear-
ing, has excited the natives almost to madness.
This feeling toward them the part OF the Cubans
has shown itself in the killing OF number OF them,
shot down by concealed foes. 1t is impossible
innate the number OF those thus taken of. But it
has been sufficient to arouse the most malignant pas.
sons In the breasts OF the worse part OF the volun-
teers not naturally inclined to moderation and in
their blind wrath they struck at random careless OF
hitting friend or foe.
The first overt demonstration took place on the
night OF the 22d inst. at the villa Nueva theatre "a
mentioned in my last. Its immediate origin it ia ex-
tremey hard to get at, since the authorities AFFORD
no Information, and look with suspicion on those
seeking it, while those present, if not prevented by
their alarm from understanding the real condition,
state IL in accordance with their sympathies. The
performance was undoubtedly intended to be purely
Cuban In its character and, far as prudence would
permit demonstration IN favor OF the Instruction
disturbance was anticipated on both sides. La
Pre,sd Spanish paper. called attention to il in its
issue OF that day, and advised all well disposed per-
sons to be on their guard. Several ladies' who en-
tered the theatre before the curtain rose wearing
Cuban coors, were greeted with cheers for their
bravery in coming 10 such place at such time
and In addition TO the guard in attendance large
numbers OF volunteers were seen lurking around
by those living in the vicinity. Nothing but spark
was necessary TO set the train In motion. Perhaps
as stated this may have been sedltious CRY, an in
suit from Cuban TO . volunteer, or the color OF a
lady's ribbon. 1t resulted in body OF volunteers
firing ndiscrminatey into the audience and killing
some seven innocent people, besides woundlng many
Others who have since died. In vain officers in at
tendance called on the Infatuated sosdlery TO cease
firing. They were beyond control, and 1t was only
through the presence OF mind OF high Official who
caused an opening 70 be made in the back part of
Che theatre, through which large portion Of the
audience escaped. thai more injury was not done
Those passing out al the regular entrance
them but as these were invariably left In the
building none were discovered up.n their persons.
Numberless stories, scarcely worthy OF repettion
are told OF individual cases OF outrage il i Ger.
tain that lady wearing the obnoxious coIors was
seized and these torn from her in a most brutal man.
ner and she compelled at the point Of the bayonet to
cry "Vtrd EsDdital' During Mcknight shots were
heard al various localities throughout the city and
on Saturday appeared In the papers the following
proclamation OF General Dulce:-
-. HAVANA, Jan. q, iesa
perpsrais paSshsd VIII an 's he aso waf
custody Of e un sas reaes gsD Gambler are IN
all OF the integrity OF the natona er
''' ''' ''A'' V" = ''n' 6 Dos aiGsss,f BULGE
The above document, though so sklfuily framed az
TO commit the writer TO neither side, had not much
tendency TO quiet the public mind. Business was
practically suspended during the day. Large num-
bers OF volunteers were going about drunk, arms in
hand, compelling people. both native and foreign, to
cry "Vtca EspdlIdi' and the city was practically
given up TO the control OF an armed mob. The
American Consulate was crowded with people dur
ing the day, seeking protection, and many began
making preparations TO leave the city.
number OF outrages were perpetrated on Ameri-
can citizens, accounts OF which are embodied in
communication from the acting Consul General OF
the United States TO General Duce, herewith for
warded. IL Is impossible TO record all OF the
outrages committed for az reported they
innumerable, and / Will notice but n few ~
examples. In Jesus del Monte an apothecary. with
shop, was fired al and MORALLY wounded by party
Of soldiers. They afterwards fred voley inside
morning OF the oath number OF persons were
found lying dead In the street. among them poor
countrylnan lying by his horse both killed with a
musket ball. ON the 18th gentleman was shot
dead IN the Campo del Marie by party OF yolun-
teers while passing peacefully along, and was left
A Cuban woman, herself the wife OF a volunteer
fncensed at the injury done her countrymen seized
uer nuhDauuh Aluhktt anu Hreu at volunteer
passing killing him instantly. She was seized ana
amid the hootings OF the soidlery, with her arms
tied behind her, was hurried of TO prison.
Ii n the subject OF general remark here that the
Cuban ladies' are much more enthusiastic and out
spoken in their sympathy with the Instruction than
the men.
on sunday evening an AFFAIR occurred at the
Louvre q popular drinking house, near the 1acon
theatre which In blind brutality surpassed an that
had occurred before. The facts, related TO me by
eyewitness, we're as follows:-The saloon, az
usual wsS very full, although owing To anticipated
trouble very few Cubans we're present. Az q yolun-
teer force was passing number Of revolver shots
were heard fired by persons on the roof Others
say the shots fron the Tacon theatre opposite.
The volunteers Immediately rushed 10 the entrance
OF the building and poured voley into the room,
where were seated a large number or peaceful gen.
tieinen enjoying their referscos and cigars, kill
Ing I'VE or six and wounding much greater
number, besides smashing the mirrors and other fur
niture. Seven Dattalons OF volunteers were soon on
the spot together with small force OF regulars, to
whom may be attributed the prevention OF q sti
more extended butchery. Among the wounded were
two young German clerks IA commercial houses
here
At later hour party OF volunteers entered the