The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-29
BROOKE MEETS
WITH TROUBLE
Cubans Claim They Were Treat
ed lgnOminiiOus|y'
WILL TEAR DOWN THE FLAGS
And Remain Indoors When the
American Flag is Raised.
THEIR ARMY STILL IN THE FIELD
And Will Not Disband While Present
Conditions Exist.
WILL TURN ON THE AMERICANS
Did Not Fight for New Masters, But for
Liberty : Disorders Continue to
Occur in Havana-Insult
Offered Gomez.
And Will Not Disband While Present
Conditions Exist.
WILL TURN ON THE AMERICANS

Chicago December 2S.-A special cable to
the Tribune from Havana says:
Cuban residents of Havana declare tonight
If General Brooke does not rescind his order
barring representatives of the Cuban in
surgent army from being present at the
evacuation day ceremonies on New Years
Day they will close the houses on that oc-
casion, tear down their flags and remain
in doors. The Cuban peace commission,
after a stormy interview with General
Brooke tonight telegraphed General Gomez
not to come to Havana, as he intended, as
no courtesy could be shown him.
The Cubans are greatly excited. Tonight
they stood on every corner of the city dis
cussing the situation in a half frenzied
manner.
Fought For Liberty
1--WE have not fought for change of
masters. We have fought for liberty, and
not for a new ownership" declared Juan
Frederico Cantellas, one of the r. -
nent Cubans in Havana.
"our army is still in the field. They shall
not lay down their arms until We find out
whether we are to be slaves or free"
Two nights ago General Ludlow notified
the commission that General Gomez and
other prominent Cuban army leaders could
be present at the ceremonies and that the
Cuban army might enter Havana. Tonight
General Brooke told the commission that
the Cuban army is not to be recognized and
is to have no part in the demonstrations
of January l.
This action at once caused the Cubans to
declare that they would stay In their
houses and the day of rejoicing over the
raising of the stars and stripes would be
turned into a day of gloom and that the
city should have the appearance of a town
in mourning.
Americans Much Alarmed
i Americans in Havana are much alarmed
at the increased mortality in the city. The
civil register tonight shows three persons
today died of Asiatic cholera and four of
maarial fever Yesterday four deaths
were reported of yellow. fever and eleven
of malarial fever out of total death roll
of fifty-seven.
Smallpox is on the increase. Three or
four deaths are reported every day. Yel-
low fever cases are increasing.
Americans expected by hurried sanitary
work to improve conditions rapidly The
thing that alarms, or at least disgusts, the
Americans more than any other disease
that fourshes here is leprosy.
Last night was one of alarm. 1t was fear
ed that today the riots would assume a
grayer aspect. The insurgents who have
not been permitted in the city since the af-
fair at the Hotel Inglaterra, were allowed
to come In and act as police.
Effect Was Magical
The effect of their presence In Maria,
Monserrat San Juan de Rios and other dis
tricts where rioting has occurred was mag
icaI. The insurgents would ride into a half
frenzied crowd of paraders and, after lead
ing the shouting for few moments, would
dsperse the crowd. The insurgents word
Is law with the simple people of the lower
districts of the city, and they were i'm
plcitly obeyed.
Only few riots occurred this afternoon.
Several were wounded and one man will
die from wounds received.
The city is quiet tonight. Four compa-
nies of the Tenth United States infantry is
keeping guard. Reina, a formidable bat
terry opposite Moro and Relga, was today
occupied by United States troops. Cabanas
is also occupied with detail of our troops.
GEN BROOKE'S ACTION