The sun., 1898-01-14
GUNS TRAINED ON HAVANA
1RTILLERY BRIsTLES At EVERY
POINT OF VANTAGE.

POINT OF TAHTAGE.
s,ree,. FiiIcd with Rioters and the Troops Are
Ready for Them-Blaneo surrounded ~ His
Leaders All wednesday Nisht-Nany AR
rests Made-Nswspapers Warned 70 Publish
NothinE That VIII Excite the Psbiio-The
Administration at wnshiuEton on the Alert
for Any EmerEencS That May Arise.
HAVANA. Jan. 13, via Key west.-In spite Of
the official Spanish declarations that the city 10
ouct. which are the only reports allowed to be
seut by direct cable. the situation here continues
very serious and the city Is in the greatest ex-
element
Near tho theatre of Albisu and the barrack
called Eulalla several volloys were fred last
night by the rioters, doing some damage to the
neighborinR buildings.
Tho whole night passed in great excitement
The rioters paraded the streets crying Long
Live Gen. weyler!" and Death to tho Traitorsl"
regiment of cavalry and the military police
dispersed them at Central Park.
All the strategic points in the city were occu.
pied by artillery forces and cavalry detach.
ments Of civil guards. swords in hand. The
city presented this morning the most terrible
aspect Of military disorder.
The Plaza de Armas, or tho main square in
front OF the Governor-Ge Generals palace, is de-
Tended by strong artillery forces. Without this
security the palace would be exposed to assault
from the rioters.
Gen. Arolas assumed tho military com.
mand OF tho city early last evening. He
remained the whole night near Gen.
Blanco Senior Galvez, President of tho
Cabinet, and his Secretary. Senior Bruzon, tho
Civil Governor. and all the more important en-
ployees of the Government also remained near
the Governor General during the night await
ing orders.
In spite of tho great military display made by
Gen. Blanco. the rioters have not subsidized and
continue parading the streets.
At12:3O o'clock this afternoon large crowd
Of rioters were about to attack the Didrio, and
resisted charge made upon them by the Civil
Guards. but finally dispersed. gathering again
In other streets.
Many arrests of rioters have been made and
among them are wealthy Spanish merchants.
Gen. Blanco avoids using the artillery against
the rioters because he s afraid that II the revolt
is not quelled. by that means it will assume
such proportions as to precipitate foreign inter
vention.
The peaceful residents and all the Cuban fam
lilies are panic stricken, fearing O more serious
outbreak may occur at any moment
The rioters are most of them volunteers and
Spanish retail merchants. They are well armed,
and, IL not persuaded by arguments to keep the
peace, they are brave enough to stoutly resist
any assaults by. the troops.
The situation is considered identical with that
when Captain. General Dulce was deported to
Spain by the volunteers in 1862 The decree
just issued by Gen. Blanco against the press is
positive proof of his weakness. and he has pro.
mulgated 1t to mollify the rioters.
tla
Office closed at 10 o'clock last night there were
still in the streets many groups of Span.
iards shouting Long live Spain p and
"Down with autonomy |" Gen. Blanco
took speedy measures to repress further
disorders. The troops were kept in
their barracks ready to sta-t at moments
notice. This morning tho city was moro quiet,
but about noon new groups of rioters began to
gather in front Of the office of the Didrio de la
Marina threatening to attack 1t again.
They were dispersed by troops under conf
mand of Gen. Arolas. Though the city is natu-
rally in great excitement no further attempt
hrs been made to disturb the peace. Gen.
Blanco is showing great energy.
The rioters did not use firearms The persons
hurt by them in the offices of Ell Reconcentrado
and La Discussion were beaten with canes
The Gdce'd publishes this morning an ener-
getic decree by Gen. Banco against the press,
enforcing the decree Of Jan. 2. 1896. and the
decree of Gen. Weyler of April 27. 1896. Both
provided for the severe punishment of news
papers which printed articles tending TO create
disorder
Gen. Blanco also prohibits the importation
into the island of Spanish or foreign newspapers
which may be considered endangering the
peace by the civil Governors of the provinces.
The third article of Blanco' 8 decree further
more forbids the publication of articles. para
graphs. cuts of any kind that directly or
Indirectly minimize the Importance of the
Spanish nation or its prestige or depreciate
the army and the authorities or exaggerate the
strength of the insurrection or help 1t In any
way. causing alarm or exciting tho political
feelings Of the public"
The fourth article says that those who disobey
these orders shall be punished according to
article SO of the law of April %, 1870. which
provides for Imprisonment or expulsion from
the country. according to the gravity of the
offence.
At t9 o'clock tonight, though no fighting has
occurred, the city presents the same threaten
ing aspect.