River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-03-12
MARTIAL LAW FOR VALENCIA
mobs Continue to Make Trouble for the
spanish Government.

MARTIAL LAW FOR VALENCIA
MoDs continue to Make Trouble for the
spanish Government.
Madrid. March 9.-The action of the
mob element in Valencia became so
threatening Sunday that martial law
was proclaimed in that city. A crowd
numbering fully 10000 persons met out
side the bull ring and attempted to
enter that place for the purpose of hold
ug meeting TO express anti-American
sentiments. The authorities has issued
an order forbidding the holding of such
meetings, but no attention was paid &c
IL. The gendarmes at the bull ring re-
fused TO allow the mob to enter and
were told that they were traitors to
Spain. Then several persons in the
crowd cried: Long live the republic"
whereupon the gendarmes charged the
mob.
The crowd answered with several re-
volver shots, one of the gendarmes be
ing seriously wounded in the chest
He has since died. The situation had
assumed such menacing aspect that
orders were given TO the gendarmes &c
fire upon the mob. A volley was fired
from the carbines by the gendarmes
and the crowd scurried for shelter. II
is not known positively WI ether any
body was shot or not, but ii is believed
that the volley was fired over the heads
OF the rioters. Later the courage of the
crowd returned and with augmented
numbers the mob marched through the
streets shouting Long live Spain,"
death to the Yankees" The police
and gendarmes repeatedly opposed the
crowd, hut their efforts to restore order
were not of the slightest avail.
The governor OF the province then
proclaimed martial law, and any fur
Their rioting will be dealt with sternly
by the military power. The governor,
acting under imperative orders from
Madrid, had concentrated a strong
force around the American consulate.
Barcelona, March 10.-This city was
the scene Sunday of further demonstra-
tions against the United States. The
bands in the places of public resort
played patriotic airs and were encored
again and again. People ON the boule-
wards sang patriotic songs and there
was much cheering for Spain and shout
ing of death to the Yankees!" 1t was
very evident from the conversations
everywhere heard that war with the
United States would meet with popular
approval, but the government is not
paying much attention to the populace
beyond preventing it, SO far as possible,
from acting in disorderly manner.
Bilbao, March 1O.-There was an
other anti-American riot here Mon
day, and ii was of greater Importance
than the previous so-called patriotic
disturbances caused by the action OF
the congress of the United States in re-
gard to Cuba. About $4,000 people
took part in the popular demonstra-
ton. The excitement was started by
a group of young men at street COR
ner, who began cheering every soldier
who passed by. Their conduct was
soon initiated by other groups of peo-
pie until every soldier seen was cheered
by the crowds, and some musicians
who refused TO repeat the national an
them were hustled, beaten and other
wise maltreated.
Gus groups formed in the main streets
cheering for Spain and denouncing tho
United States. The authorities did
everything possible to maintain order
Almost the entire police force was
turned out as soon as the populace as
sumed "a threatening aspect, and the
rioters were dispersed again and again
Eventually, however, the rioters be
came so numerous and excited that the
police were almost helpless.
After the first demonstrations ol
sympathy with the army the crowds
had armed themselves with sticks and
cudgels, and their numbers were sc
great that the police were swept aside
| and an immense crowd gathered on the
leading thoroughfare and marched to
ward the residence of the United States
consul, shouting Long live Spainl'
'Down with the Yankeesi"
On their way to the consrl's residence
they hurled stones through the win
dows of stores and private residences
overturned a number of vehicles, pulled
several mounted policemen from theil
horses and generally behaved in the
most threatening hammer. Stores deal
ing i'm American goods received the
most attention from the mob, and the
windows of the consuls house were
badly shattered, although the police
defended the building.
The mob then proceeded in the di
rection of the United States consulate
evidently intending to stone that build
ing as well. But the authorities had
taken the prccauticn to send a strong
force of police to guard that structure
and another detachment of police was
stationed across tie street leading tC
the consulate. Therefore, when the
mob ncared the consulate. it was con
fronted by the police with drawn
swords.
The mob halted and then began pelt.
ing the police most vigorously with
stones and pieces OF brick. The police
men, however, held their ground and
a squad of the officers charged the
rioters. The latter began firing pistols
at the policemen, two of whom were
wounded. This caused the police tc
charge in body. and, using their
swords with good effect, the rioters
were dispersed, yelling and hooting at
the authorities and shouting: Down
with the Yankees" and Long live
Spain" The police, who made mum
Der of arrests, experienced considerable
difficulty in escornng their prisoners
to the depot.