The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1897-12-09
A BAPTISM OF BULLETS
Rebels Open Fire on the Pal.
ace at Havana.
30 SERIOUS DAMAGE WAS DONE

Unsuccessful Attempts Made to Rescue
General Rivera and to Capture
. Notorious Spy.
New York, Nov. 29.-On Sunday
morning, for the first time in the his
tory of the Cuban war, rebel bullets
sought the palace in Havana, says a
dispatch to the Herald from Havana.
The shots came from Casa Blanca, 600
yards across the entrance to the harbor,
and while no one was hurt, the palace,
with its electric lights, was a shining
mark, and must have been hit. The
Spanish authorities attempt to make
light of the affair, but at the same time
a reporter for La Lucha who wrote up
and attempted to publish the facts in
the case. was put in prison.
The attack on Casa Blanca was made
by Brigadier-General Cardenas and 80
rebels. They entered the town shortly
before midnight on horseback, and at
the end of an hour each man led out of
town horse with one extra head ap-
propriated, laden with clothing, pro-
visions, silver plate and money. Before
they left they sent two volleys across
the narrow harbOr entrance at the pal
ace, then cody went to friends house
inside the Spanish lines and took sup
per. All this was under the guns OF
Cabanas and Moro.
1t is learned from an inside source
that the object of the rebels was to re-
lease General Ruiz Rivera, and hang a
citizen named Fumiro who is known as
a spy. They failed in the first object
only because of some misconception OF
the appointed time on the part Of con-
federates within the prison with whom
arrangements had been made to admit
them into the fortress. Fumiro man.
aged to escape across the harbor.
The whole affair was we'll planned.
General Cardenas came in the early
evening with two columns along the
seashore, and at 10 O'Clock the men
followed. They first visited Cabanas.
Whey they saw that the arrangement
had failed, the rebels went after Flu
miro. He fled across the harbor and
the rebels did not dare to follow. Then
the rebels went to Casa de los Frailes,
the priests house, where they took
blankets, silver plate and money.
This house is close to Moro castle.
The priest made great outcry, but no
soldiers came. Then the rebels sacked
the store of Fumiro, securing some
gold. They also looted other stores.
Working as quietly as possible, they
a cavalry outpost. securing
8 everal horses.
For two hours they enjoyed them
selves, then rode to. the harbor and fired
two volleys at the palace. This aroused
the Spaniards for the first time, but by
the time troops turned out the rebels
had gone. The authorities made every
effort to suppress the details of this
raid, though an official report admitted
that six rebels entered the town.
The rebels approached and fired upon
Mariana last night. There was great
excitement. The volunteers were called
out, and with the troops returned the
rebel fire. The residents were panic
stricken and locked themselves in their
houses. The rebels did not succeed in
the town. The lines have
been strengthened all about Havana.
Correspondence received from the
east states that General Gomez is mass
ing men near Sagua, and is preparing
to march westward to strike a potent
blow before congress meets. Unusual
activity of the rebels is reported from
all quarters. The Spaniards are also
making preparations for action, but az
yet each avoids the other. Where and
in what manner the blow that is COM
ing will fall cannot be predicted. but it
il more surely coming than autonomy.
General j. NJ. Rodriguez, command
n-chief of the western provinces,
Is out in a manifesto stating that he
will accept nothing but independence.
BE contrasts the treatment of Cuban
prisoners with that Of Spanish prison.
,rs, and says only the Spaniards under
arms are considered as enemies. He
promises equal rights to other Span
ards if independence il gained.
General Blanco's general shake-up
# the police force throughout the island
e causing some excitement. The heads
# departments of police were nearly all
changed. Wherever fraud or undue
cruelty was discovered drastic measures
we're taken. Secretary General Con-
.osto's knowledge and experience
zained in America are of valuable as
distance in this direction. Special re-
oorts from the Herald correspondents
n various parts of the island state that
he Spanish soldiers are as badly OF as
he pacificos and concentrates. In
many places the troops have been forced
~ circumstances to beg from door to
locr. General Blanco il making every
.ffort to relieve their condition, and TO
eform the hospital service.
II