The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-11-10
TROUBLE IN HAVANA.
Armed Patrols Parade the
Streets -0rden Pnblieo
Threatening.
fBv cable T. rhs Aas0oiatea Prsss.1

HAVANA Nov. 9 (via Key West, Fla.s
Nov. 10), 1sss.-Snce early on the morning
of Sunday last, the streets of Havana
have again presented the appearance OF
a state of siege. At every corner four
regulars are stationed, armed with Mau-
ser rifles, besides the usual city patrol.
AS sit is known the Orden Publico
forces have been threatening trouble over
the refusal OF the government to pay up
the wages due them it was at first sup
posed that these military precautions
were taken owing to the fear of an OUT
break in that quarter. Later, however.
it was learned that Colonel Massol Par
ro, late Commander of the disbanded
Cuba Espanola Brigade, with his officers,
had threatened to come to the city, pro-
ceed to the Palace and demand the set
tlement of his and his officers pay.
Fearing that the arrival of Colonel
Parro would be the signal for other mall
contents TO join the movement and thus
cause serious trouble, Captain-General
Blaneo forbid Colonel Parro from coming
to Havana. Anticipating insuhordination,
however, General Blanco promptly took
precautions to quell any attempted up
rising.
Colonel Masso tnot Massel as previ-
ously written) Parro first at
tracted attention when, ranking
as a brigadier general of the CD
ban insurgents, he deserted to the Span
ish ranks was given the rank of colonel
and organized brigade of three thousand
Cubans under his leadership. known as
the Cuban Espanola Brigade, which did
signal service for the Spaniards during
the late war.
About month ago, as told at the time
in dispatches to the Associated Press. the
Brigade began to cause considerable troll
bic at Cienfueges by clamoring for their
overdue pay. They entrenched themselves
on the Tubulcan estate outside Of the
city, and refused to disband or lay down
their arms until a settlement was made
with them on a cash basis General
Aguirre, the Spanish Military Governor of
Cienfueges, visited the camp under a flag
Of truce and held a conference with
Colonel Parro The result of this meet
ing was that a portion of the overdue
money was paid to the soldiers and the
brigade in turn disbanded.
This was the first serious trouble with
the irregular or modified troops over
the question of the non-payment OF
wages but open discomfort in regard to
this matter has since spread to every
branch of the service The trouble in
this connection has been heightened now
by the announcement that the S24 which
the government agreed to pay to every
enlisted man obtaining his discharge will
only be paid upon the evacuation of the
island by the respective regiments ia
which the soldiers belonged.
This latest announcement is modifi-
cation of a previous decree providing that
the troops would only be paid upon
landing in Spain. This met with such an
energetic protest however, that it was
subsequently, revoked over twenty thou-
sand of the enlisted men asking for their
discharge in order that they might re-
main il Cuba.
When the partial payment before re-
ferred to was made to the Cuba Espanoia
Brigade the money was divided among
the rank and file, Colonel Parro and his
officers accepting a promise of the future
payment of their salaries, the total
amount being over 100000, which sum
they now claim
The Battalion of Sancti Spiritus Gtler-
rillas war partially paid on Saturday
last, but the members showed their dis
content by appointing a committee TO go
to the Palace in Havana and demand
from Captain General Blanco the pays
ment of over 100000 still due them
The Battalion Municipal, composed or
firemen of Havana who engaged in active
operations in the field for three whole
years. are owed $1.7OO,OOo. none of which,
it is claimed, has been paid. These are
only a few instances showing the posi-
tion of the Spanish army here, whose dis
content increases daily, causing display
of armed force in the streets of the city
on the slightest suspicion of an open mans
Hesitation of such displeasure.
IT is alleged that the corruption In the
Department of Finance of the Insuiar
Government has reached such pitch
that employees and officials are openly
taxed twenty. thirty and even forty per
cent. discount on their salaries, which
they are forced to accept or go unpaid
The same corrupt system. it is further
asserted. pervades every branch of the
Administration, the local press going as
far as to ask for the ousting of the mus
nicipal ofTicers, saying that the Autono-
mist control is worse than the old Spanish
Colonial administration
This state of affairs has developed 8
gang of thieves, burglars and nurderers.
jeopardizing the lives and property OF
peaceable citizens. The number of hold
ups and assaults multiplies' daily. 1t may
safely be said that nearly all the crimes
are the result of hunger and privations
the instinct of self-preservatien being
stronger than any social law. The situ-
alton daily grows worse; corruption and
bribery flourish. crime spreads and hun-
dreds Of persons die from want.
The words Of praise bestowed upon Hoods
rilia l,,- tlans.a xnlln haze taken rrLl1