The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-27
SHOOTING MEXTCANS DOWN
THE POLICE ATTAoK AN ORDERLY
CROHD At MERIDA.

Eleveu Persons Killed ana 9b Woundod-The
Crowd was whoiiy Derenceicss and tts Oniy
Oncnco Was That II was watohinE . Pc
Itticai Parade or the Opposition Farty.
MERIDA. Mexico, Aug. 16.-This city was the
theatre OF bloody scenes on the night Of Aug. IL.
Friends OF Gen. Francisco Canton, candidate Of
the opposition for Governor Of the State Of Yu-
catan, had organized a public demonstration In
honor OF the General, and as the procession was
passing the Plaza de la Independence tho
police and national guards, following the In
stuctions, 1t is said, OF Alvlno Manzanillo, .
favorite with the Governor, fred upon the peo-
pie, killing eleven persons and wounding
twenty-five.
The local authorities made every effort to
suppress all news concerning the affair. No
telcgraphic messages could be transmitted, and
no mails were sent out until yesterday, when,
In obedience TO orders received from the capt.
tai, Manzanilla and other persons Of high stand
ing were placed under arrest and the news
papers were authorized to refer to the events Of
the terrible night.
La Rerista de Merida. in an article do
nouncing the outrage, says: THE square was
crowded with hundreds Of persons, who had
been attracted thither both by the domonstra-
ton in honor Of Gen. Canton and to see a magic
lantern. which had been placed on top Of the
OuoO oi.bs. Asnollu FlkuCTOd. AS bOHB VI ln0
persons in the demonstration were going to the
residence OF ten. Canton, hlbino ManZanilla,
President OF the Democratic Convention; Man
ual lrigoyrn. and other Deputies and officials,
appeared In n hostile attitude. Soon after a
rocket was fired; and it exploded in the middle
OF the crowd. IL was then that, without any
provocation from the people, without n warning
TO any one, In the most brutal manner, a volley
was fired upon the, crowd, and Immediately
aftor shooting began from all sides Of the square.
1T was just like the hunting OF wild beasts.
People fed in all directions. At first some
persona. who were nIiptly siftinU and TALKING
volcys had been fired in the air. but when they
saw that men were killed and wounded, all
were taken with panic and ran TO escape death.
Tore Guerra, u student, tried to shelter
himself behind the pole OF an electric light. and
was there mortally wounded: a child received
several wounds; Mrs. LorenZa Canto was
killed, and Mrs. Tomasa Cruz, e~nceinte, was
severely wounded.
las though all this were not enough, the
police was then reinforced with a detachment
OF National Guards, who shot ut those who fed.
Tho shooting continued for ten minutes. Those
who were away from the scene thought that q
fight vas golns on. NOBODY could believe that
the police would trc upon defence!ess persons.
IN the official report of the affair the Chief
or Police says that a group Of armed men at
dead and killed were found in front Of tho
municipal palace and not before the cd.erne :
How is 1t that all tho victims were from the
people and none from the policei Every body
knows that not a single weapon was picked up
In the streets.
1.-The responsibility for the massacre belongs
to nDre than one person. Il is not enough that
licly given Of the deputies and functionaries
who fercely fired upon the people. Some OF
them seemed to rejoice as they saw the effect
OF their shooting.
Tho city has not recovered yet from the shock.
Life and m seem TO be paralyzed."