The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-21
THE FLORIDA MILITIA.
H4TE THET BEEN Called OUT
BY THE PRESIDENTS REQUEST?
Sensational Ruinors Rife in jacksonville.
Denied by General Miies-fts Relation
to the Cuban situation.

/ graphed from Florida. that the state
/ militia had been ordered out at the re-
quest Of the President OF the United
States as q preliminary 60 the probable
recognition OF the Cuban insurgents IL
any such order had been issued 1t would
OF necessity pass through General Niles
hands.
Secretary Lamont had not reached the
/ War Department up 10 noon to-day, and
THEREFORE no authentic denial could be OBJ
tanned from him. but all the other lead
Ing officials Of the War Department unit
cd IN aiscreditiug the sensational reports
sent out
Secretary Lamont later in the day de-
+ ciined TO dignity what ne termed the
absurd. impossible. story Of calling out
of Florida militia by the Secretary Of
War.
+ MONTGOMERY. ALA, Jan. 2o.-The
/ Governor OF Alabama says he has re-
ceiyed no such instructions about troops
/ from the var Department, ami knows
nothing about IT,
STICKS TO HIS STORY.
JAG KsONVILLE. FLA. Jan. 90 In
| cpite Of the aemi-deni1ls from Washing
/ ton, the story that the Governor of tlori-
! ia. I'm connection with tn Governor of
other States. had been requested by the
/ United States Army DeIai tmont. 10 see
| that the State military WIS ready for
service is generally ,reditod IN this State.
General Disalynski, who presidcs over
the city Court Of a,ksonville and who
is one of the most reputable men in Fiori-
da. started the story here. and bee insists
that his information was derived from an
attache of AdJutant General Houton's
Office
I'm Tallahassee the story was widely
current Saturday and yesterday 80 much
So that on Sunday morning one of
the ministers alluded TO it in his opening
prayer and implOred God % avert the
horrors of war.
Dispatches from several points indicate
that the report was not confined 10 Jack
sonville and Tallahassee Efforts to-day
10 obtain official confirmation or denial
OF the story have failed. the men who
could shed light on it declining 10 be in
tervewed
That orders of some kind have been
issued the State troops is certain. though.
Of course, the officers refuse TO disclose
their character. Throughout the State
il is generally believed that these orders
relate 10 keeping the troops I'm readiness,
and that they have been inspired by the
Washington authorities I'm view Of the
threatening nature Of our foreign rela-
tons.
The deniais and professions Of ignorance
Boy the Washington authorities and the
State officials carry little weight here, as
the people generally expect these gentle
men 20 poo-pOoh the statement for dipio-
matte reasons. Whether the story he true
or not. frs sponsors certainly that IL has
good foundation. and IT is a fact that IL
H. gained lwide currency throughout
the State A significant fact is that the
story seems 10 have become known ia
every town whore there Is a military
company at about the same time
The excitement it has caused in Florida
o. very great. and the war fever is higher
to-day than ever
SANTIAGO DE CUBA. Jan. 2o-via
KEYWEST. FLORIDA. Jan. 20.-(Special
correspondent of the United Press For
the last two or three days large number
Of rebels have been lowering near the
town OF San Louis They belong 10 the
forces Of General Rabi. jose Aaceo and
Cebrec0 and number about 300.
The insurgent leaders are expecting the
forces OF PeIiqito. Peru. Higgins, Nasquez
and others 10 join them.
The intentions OF the rebels are not
known.
Last night the Forts Of Santa Ursula
situated al one of the entrances OF
the city and protected by a small number
Of guerilas, was attacked by rebel par
IT, After p slight skirmsh the rebels
killed one guerilla and made three prison
ers. The others escaped into the city.
The insurgents took with them ten guns
and some ammunition.
The guerillas OF Guatanamo. have set
fire 10 several houses in the Sigma Iron
Mining Company village and have stolen
much property belonging to the said COM
pany
Mr.. Singer, the manager has applied 10
the American consul here and also pre-
scented 10 the governor asking Tor redress.
on the sth instant eight regular SOLE
diers and ten hremen Joined the rebels
with their arms.
GRINDING CANE.
The only planters who are grinding
their cane in this district are those Of
Manzanzillo. Everybody here is sur
prised that the rebels allow them 10 do
so without molestauon.
The steamer Avilles came in this morn
ing from Holguin bringing twenty-three
political prisoners. They We're locked
up. by order OF the military authorities.
on the 1th instant the columns of the
Spanish generals Cellas and Resleo are
rived al Guantanamo. after visiting La
fontina. Ia Plmienta, Ramon de Las
Yeguez. and Sigua I'm this last place
they had an engagement with the insur-
gent regiment Of Moncada. 20 men 10
number. commanded by Colonel Deme-
trio Castillo.
The Spanish troops had several killed
and thirty-two wounded. the rebels mad
one killed and eight wounded. This after
noon GOth the smers Nilaverde, Aviles.
and Thomas Brooke sailed from this port
10 Matanzas. taking with them General
Linarez. with his brigade. composed OF
five regiments of infantry and two pieces
Of artillery.
In spite Of the cold season. yellow-fever
is causing many deaths here, not only DO
the military hospitals. but also IN the
towns in the interior
CHATTANOOGA. TENN. Jan. 20.-.An
afternoon paper publishes an interview
with Colonel t. G. ". Oderwell, Chi
cago attorney. who is on his way from
TAMPA. Florida While there O. steam
vessel put I'm the bay and began 20 load
with oranges. Several nights later the
crew broke into the armory Of the Tampa
militia and several stores m the place and
I'm the way OF arms and ammunition
After this they left the port. taking
with them several hundred guns and q
quantity Of ammunition ana headed
south.
The raiders were all Americans. and
are believed 10 be hlisbusteres lOund Tor
cuba. The narrator said IN expedition
OF one thousand well armed men. and
having with them four rspid-hring Hotch-
kiss guns, was reported 10 Doe organizing
10 leave the Florida coast Tor cuba.
NEW YORK. Jan. 2o.-Passensers ar
rivinc pcr the y ard Line steamer. Nlgl-
r.r.. from, Havana to-day. were intense