The San Francisco call., 1896-03-09
Rioters Attempt to Attack the
United States Consulate
at Bilbao.
FRENzIED CLAMOR FOR WAR.
The Grada Chamber of Commerce
Calls for a Boycott on Ameri.
can Trade.

MADRID, SPAIN, March S.-The action
of the mob element in Valencia became so
threatening that martial law was pro-
claimed in that city tonight. A crowd
mum bering fully 10000 persons met out
side the bull-ring and attempted to enter
that place for the purpose Of holding
meeting to express anti-American sentl-
ments. The authorities had issued an
order forbidding the holding of such meet
ings, but no attention was paid to it. The
gendarmes at the bull-ring refused to allow
the mob to enter, and were told that they
were traitors to Spain. Then several per-
sons in the crowd cried "Long live the re.
public !'whereupon the gendarmes charged
the mob. The crowd answered with sew
eral revolver shots, one of the gendarmes
being seriously wounded in the chest.
The situation has assumed such men,
acing aspect that orders were given to the
genda-mes to fire upon the mob. a yolley
was fired from the carbines carried by the
gendarmes, and the crowd scurried for
shelter. It Is not known positively
whether anybody was shot or not, but it 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, but their efforts to re-
store order were not of the slightest avail.
The Governor of the province then pro-
claimed martial law, and any further
rioting will be dealt with sternly by the
military power.
The Governor, acting under imperative
orders from Madrid, had concentrated
strong force around the American consul
ate. The crowd attempted to pass these
guards, but were unable to do SO. Then
thew hurled insults at the American Gov
eminent and the American people.
Tonight the city is quiet, the mob not
having the courage TO face the troops who
are awaiting orders to deal with rioters.
There were several small disturbances
to-day at Saragossa,' bat the authorities
were alert and determined, and the rioters
were easily dispersed.
At Bilbao a crowd of 500 persons at
tempted to make an attack upon the
American consulate, but were prevented
by the police.
AT dlelCld pOettES HcIS puS upOi IIic
walls declaring that Spain must go to war
with the United States and put curb on
Yankee arrogance.
The shipowners of Seville have offered
to the Government fifty steamers to put
to any use the authorities may deem ex-
pedient. Some of these steamers are trad
ing IN England.
The Chamber of Commerce of Grada has
issued circular note inviting all Spanish
merchants to break their commercial rela-
tions with the United States and to cancel
their policies of insurance issued by Ameri-
can companies. Many of the merchants
have already done so.
Several more Spanish subjects, who
were acting as American consular agents,
have resigned as a protest against the at
titude of the United States toward Spain.
Indignation meetings were held to-day in
many places in the provinces.
1t was learned tonight that the dem on
stration at Valencia to-day was organized
by the Republicans. The gendarme who
was wounded by revolver shot was a
corporal. He died tonight from the ef-
fects of his injuries. During the rioting
three civilians were injured. Nine of the
rioters were arrested. A priest was stoned
bv the mob.