The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-20
Much of the Crime Due to Influx of
PenniIess Foreigners and Dis
bandment of Orden PubIicO.
SPANISH SOLDIERS FEARED
MANY OF THE UNPAID BATTALIONS
READY FOR OPEN REVOLT.
General ArOIas, a stern DiscipIinari-
an, Hated by the Troops, and in
Danger of Being KILLED.

HAVANA, Nov. 19.-The police reports
show an alarming increase of crime in this
city and the local newspapers report twenty
to thirty hold-ups in broad daylight daily.
Organized gangs of thugs and footpads
terrorize the neighborhoods on the outskirts
of the town. The police are doing their ut
most to suppress this lawlessness, but they
are handicapped by the recent dsbandment
of the Orden Publico
The hopes of q more speedy solution Of
the Cuban problem, now that the Paris con-
ference is thought to be near conclusion,
have already eXerted beneficial influence
here. A more healthy and confident tone is
noticeable in all circles. The yellow fever
scare, which, luckily, has gone no farther
than scare has not apparently kept Amer
leans from coming here in great numbers.
There have been no new cases reported dur
ing the last fortnight, and from now on,
with the advent of cooler weather, it is safe
to say that the yellow fever season is over.
1t is important, however, to point out that
at present Cuba offers no inducements that
justify the presence here OF swarms of
American adventurers who come seeking
fortunes or even lucrative employment.
Many arrive with only few dollars in their
pocket expecting to find something to do.
The result is that in a fortnight money is
gone and they are begging on the streets.
Havana is crowded with men and women
able and willing to work, but finding no en-
ployment. Foreigners are necessarily unac-
quainted with the local industries, and no
building or engineer work is being under
taken just now that would call for the serv-
ices of outsiders. An irruption of American
artisans and laborers now would be fresh
calamity. The number of unemployed is
dalIy increasing, as the deported Cubans re-
turn. Every steamer brings more. The nat
ural consequence is that the list of "hold-
ups" assaults and burglaries is steadily
lengthening, and the police reports show
an alarming development of crime.
Crime in turn is greatly aggravated by an
inadequate police system, especially since
the recent dissolution of the Orden Publico
forces, whose acquaintance with the haunts
of vice and the lairs of thieves made them
particularly efficient. The loss by Spanish
officers of their moral influence over their
men seems to have awakened fresh misgiv-
ings among themselves as the officers are
much more inclined than formerly to re-
turn to the mother country. The example
of the Havana Guardia Civile was emu
lated on Thursday evening by the Guardia
Civle at Matanzas. There was regular
mutiny there though it was finally subdued
by the same persuasive measures adopted
here.
Havana is wide OPEN" Gambling -four
ishes. The Chinese daily lottery, or the
Chinese ''charade," which gives the banker
thrty-fve chances against one in favor OF
the player, is conducted at full blast. This
institution is the curse of the lower classes
in Cuba. Formerly more or less successful
attempts were made to keep it within GER
tain limits, but in the present chaotic state
of affairs the Chinese bankers or booksellers
are reaping their harvest along with the
other gamblers While the situation is,
therefore, somewhat more cheerful, the con-
dition of the public mind can be summed up
in the single word waiting" and it is
state of expectancy and uncertainty that
will bear close watching.
The battalion of municipal firemen which
formed part of the reserve of the Spanish
army and which served during the entire
three years campaign has been dissolved
and ceased to exist as a military organza-
ton. The entire brigade, with the engines
and fire equipment, will be turned over to
the municipality on Monday.
The remains of Generals Santocildes and
Vara Del Ray will arrive here by special
train from Batabano and will be deposited
in the Colon Cemetery pending shipment to
Spain Two battalions of infantry and a
SQUADRON of cavalry will escort the bodies
of the two generals to this city, and every
general and commanding officer in the city
will accompany the remains to their resting
place.
The representatives of the Cuban army
who lately assembled at Santa Cruz del Sur
are expected TO arrive here on Monday on
their way to Marianao, where the future
sessions of the delegates will be held on the
return from Washington of the special COM
mittee of five appointed by the Cuban as
sembly to present in person to President Me-
Kinley the wishes of the assembly.
The Havana Chamber of Commerce has
cabled to the minister of state at Madrid
for authority to establish a Spanish Cham
Der of Commerce after the evacuation of
the island by the Spaniards, the Spanish
chamber to be presided over by the Span
ish consul.
Charles w. Gould, the special representa-
tive of the Department of Justice on the
Cuban military commission, yesterday gave
a dinner at which General Greene and the
Cuban General MenocaI were the guests Of
honor.
Tomorrow Major Almy and Major But
Ter, with Captain Hart, will go to the Isle
of Pines on a tour of inspection 1t is pro-
posed, If possible, to use the island as
health resort for convalescing troops dur
ing the summer months. Captain Griscom
and Lieutenant Read returned last night
from a tour of inspection in the province of
Santa Clara They came back along the
north coast after gaining much valuable in
formation as to the state of the province
and the condition Of the Cuban troops.
Advices from Nuevitas report the seil-