The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-12-08
Bullets Drove Out Bell Ringers and Some
Struck Col. Sargents Tent.
OFFENDERS WERE NOT ARRESTED.
Contest Between ihe Mayor and School Board.
Latter Refused TO Recognize The Formers
Authority and Gave Him Some Advice.

Santiago de CuDd, dec. o. cSlei""S
was the anniversary or the death OF
Gen. Antonio Maceo, and has been cell
ebrated among the Cubans in Santiago.
A memorial service was held In the
cathedral, which was crowded. Less
than two years ago the same cathedfM
witnessed a re Deum, sung by the same
choir I'm celebration OF Maceo death.
Then the cathedral was draped with
Spanish colors. Yesterday the entire
edifice was in black, interspersed win
few Cuban emblems.
Considerable annoyance was occa-
stoned to the u. S. authorities by the
fact that some 20 men-Cubans-march-
ed the entire length of St. Thomas
street, armed with rifles and machetes'
although all Cubans are well aware
that such conduct is strictly against
the regulations, armed bodies o,her
than u. S. troops not being allowed.
The offenders in question ana not ASK
nermission to march armed, and their
intention was not made known 10 the
American authorities. Indeed the
cathedral had been reached by the par
aders before the fact was reported 10
headquarters.
Col. Beacon, VINO Is cnlel III Soih
mand here during the absence OF Gen.
Wood, Immediately called upon the
mayor regarding the affair, ana was
nv him referred TO Col. Garcia, VINO
sent an orderly directing the immediate
appearance of the offenders at mead
quarters.
Meanwhile the armed squad had nreo
three volleys, many ball cartridges
striking the upper portion of the cathe-
dral and causing the bell ringers hastllS
To desert their post.
In less han a quarter or an hour al
officer from the 9Th Immune regimen
arrived at headquarters with mes
sage from Col Sargent, stating ina
several bullets had struck ms tent ar'
other points and asking inrornatlon a.
10 the cause. Col. Garcia said he wa
under the impression that the men use'
blank cartridges and that the u. >. au
thorities had been notified OF the IN
tention of a number To march armed u
connection with the celebration
Col. Beacon reported that he kneN
nothing OF IL, and that the Cubans ha
evidently done their best to concea
their purpose. He then ordered 20
Garcia not to allow his men to atten
the evening procession armed, and sal
he would permit the continuance OF tn
morning celebration only on the dis
tinct understanding that there was
he no more firing. The reason the OF
tenders were not arrested was that the
were within the cathedral limits at IN
time.
An overflow meeting was held in tn
theatre, with music and speeches, nor
antagonistic to the Americans. Aft6
enthusiasm had been pretty we
aroused procession OF 5000 people p'
raded through the principal streets
the house where Maceo was born an
Sormally affixed n brass tablet, con
memorative of that event.
An interesting contest is now on b
tween Senior Bacardi. mayor OF SAINT
ago. and the school board OF the pro
ince The mayor recently Inspected Il
CITY schools and discovered in one 4
stance 800 girls with only one instruc
or. He brought the matter before u
school board. pointing out that IL W
quite impossible for the teacher to
Justice TO the children, as instructi'
for six hours day would mean only
little more than a minute for ca
child
The school board REPLIED that [
matter was their business and not Sc
or Bacardi's, they being superinte
dents of the entire province In eduo
tional matters and he representing
city only.
The mayor replied that, according
the law. each city was entitled 10
hoard of it's own and that he intend
to appoint a school board for SAINT
go TO this the school board retori
that they owed their appointment
Gen. Wood, that they had nothing
do with the mayor of santiago u
they defied him and that II he wol
accept friendly advice, he would DO
TO await Gen Woods return.