The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-05
FIRST EDITION
Q u B 4
The Reign Of Terror in Havana -
The Spanish Troops and their
Barbarity - Details of
the Murders at
the Louvre.

from Havana dated January 29. 1t says:-
Since my last we have had something akin to
q carnival OF blood in this city-a culminauon
of the intense enmity which exists between the
| Cubans and Spaniards, and which, long re
| pressed by the arm OF authority, has at length
| broken out in vioenCe, murder and aSsa55lna-
ton. This feeling OH the part OF the natives has
| TOR its object more particularly the Spanish
volunteers, organized by Lersundi, VINO,
while energetic In support OF the reYolu
tion which relieved SPAN from a yoke,
are none the less so to retain the one
on the nccks of these Islanders. The
battaions consist of seven, numbering in all
between 1000 and 5000 men. Those organized
soon after the breaking out OF the insurreCtion
are mostly composed OF well-Ordered citizens,
but Others OF more recent date are made up o.
employees in the saloons, cafes, and warehouses;;
they are men without property and consequent
interest in the island, with everything to gam
and nothing TO lose, mostly uneduCated and
brutal in their instinCts-the last BODY of men to
ne entrusted with arms in hostile city, save
under the severest discipline. When not en duty
they have been allowed TO carry their weapons
to their homes, in the streets and coffee houses;
and their demeanor, ofttimeS insOlent and over
! bearing, has excited the natives almost to mad
ness. This feeling towards them on the part of
the Cubans has show itself in the killing of
number OF them, shot down by concealed foes.
1t is impossible to estimate the number of those
thus taken OFF; but 1t has been sufficient TO
arouse the most malignant passions in the
breasts of the worse part of the volunteers, 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 az Villa Nueva theatre,
as mentioned in my last. Its immediate origin
it is extremely hard to get at, since the autdo-
rites 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 it in
accordance with their sympathies. The per-
formance was undoubtedly intended to be
| purely Cuban in its character, and, as far as
| prudence would permit, a demonstration in
favor of the insurrection. disturbance was
| anticipated on both sides. Ii PFensd, a
| Spanish paper, called attention to it ia its
| issue OF that day, and advised all Well-disposed
| persons to be on their guard. Several ladies
! who entered the theatre before the curtain rose,
| wearing Cuban colors, were greeted with cheers
| for their bravery in coming to such place at
| such a time, and in addition 10 the guard in
| attendance large numbers of volunteers were
seen lurking around by those living in the
| vicinity. Northing but spark was necessary to
set the train in motion. Perhaps, as stated, this
may have been a sedtious CRY, an insult from a
Cuban to voluntesr' or the eco color r Of , IGdy,s
bring Unfortunately into the audi
ence and killing some seven innocent people,
besides wounding many others who have
since died. In vain officers in attendance
called on the infuriated soldiery to cease
firing. They were beyond control, and 1t was
only through the presence of mind of high
| official, who caused an opening to be made IN
| the back part of the theatre, through which a
| large portion of the audience escaped, that more
! injury was not done. Those passing out at the
! regular entrance were examined to see if they
| had arms about them: but as these were inva-
| rably left in the building none were discovered
| upon their persons. Numberless stories,
| scarcely worthy of repetition, are told of indi.
vidual cases of outrage. 1t is certain that a
| lady wearing the obnoxious colors was seized
and these torn from her in a most brutal man
ner, and she compelled at the point of the
bayonet to Cry "VlUd ESpdnd J" During tAe
night shots were heard at various localities
throughout the city, and the greatest terror and
confusion prevailed.
On Saturday appeared in the papers the
| following proclamation of General Dulce:-
| HAVANA, Jan. %, l869.-CitiZens of Havana:-
Last night a great scandal was perpetrated; I;
one which will be punished with all the rlgor OF
the law. Sone of the disturbers of public
order are in custody Of the tribunals. Peaceful
citizens confide in your autho rities-d defenders
all OF the integrity of the national territory
| and honor. Justice will be done and speedily.
| DOMINGO DULCE.
The above document, though so skilfully
framed as to commit the writer TO neither side,
had not much tendency TO quiet the public
during the day. Large numbers of volunteers
| were going about drunk, arms in hand, COM
| pellipg people, both native and foreign, to cry
| % Yea bspdnd J" and the city was practically
| American consulate was crowded with people
during the day, seeking protection, and many
began making preparations to leave the city.
| A number of outrages were perpetrated on
| American citizens, accounts of which are EN-
bodied In communication from the acting
| Consul General OF the United States TO General
| Dulce, herewith forwarded. 1t is impossible to
record all of the outrages committed, for, as
| reported, they are innumerable, and | will
notice but a few as examples. In Jesus del
Monte an apothecary, with his assistant while
seated at the doorway of his shop was fred at
and mortally wounded by party of soldiers.
They afterwards fred q VOlley inside, destroy
ing the greater part OF the stock. In the morn
ing OF the oath number of persons were found
lying dead in the street, among them poor
countryman lying by his horse, both killed with a
musket ball. On the 25lh agentleman was shot
dead in the Campo del Marte by party of
volunteers while passing peacefully along, and
was lett where he fell until afterwards removed
by the police. Cuban woman, herself the
wife OF volunteer, incensed at the injury done
her countrymen, seized her husbands musket
aud fired at volunteer passing, killing him
Instantly. She was seized, aud amid the hoot-
ings OF the soldiery, with her arms tied behind
her, was hurried Off to prison. 1t is the subject
OF general remark here that the Cuban ladies
are much more enthusiastic and outspoken in
their sympathy with the insurrecton than the
men.
On Sunday evening an affair occurred at the
Louvre, popular drinking house, near the
Tacon Theatre, which in blind brutality sur
| passed all that had occurred before. The facts,
as related to me by an eye witness were as
folloWs;-Ihe saloon as usual, was very full,
although owing to anticipated trouble very fe "
Cubans were present. As a volunteer force
was passing number OF revolver shots were
heard, fired by persons on the roof. Others say
the shots were from the Tacon Theatre opposite.
| The volunteers rushed to the entrance OF the
building and poured volley into the room,
where were seated large number OF peacetu
gentlemen enjoying their refeTscos and cigars
killing dive or six and wounding much greater
number, besides smashing the mirrors and othel
furniture. Seven battalions OF volunteers were
soon on the spot, together with small Ioree o.
1 wrIn a. hn thNNNn