The herald., 1898-10-09
AN UPRISING IN CUBA
OF SPANISH SOLDIERS WHO
WANTED PAY
A GENERAL MUTINY FEARED
Regular Officers Criticize Spanish
Methods But Show Their Loyalty
to the Mother Country
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
HAVANA, Oct. 8.-(via Key West, Oct.
81 In confirmation Of previous reports of
an uprising among the irregulars in Santa
Clara province, in an attempt to enforce
their demands for payment in full before
laying down their arms it can be stated
officially today that over 1000 irregular
troops, modified during the war; rose in
arms on Tuesday in the vicinity Of Glen
fuegos, throwing up breastworks, making
Lighthouses and preparing to revolt I'M
less they were paid Gen. Aguirre, military
commander Of the province, and Gen. Sal
dave and Gen. Albino, at the head of 1900
men of the regular army, surrounded the
position of the rebellious troops, and, with
out show of strength and in order to avoid
bloodshed, parleyed with the riotous
troops. They were told of the terror their
attitude had caused, and 1t was announced
that the government was ready to pay
them. After the conference Gen. Aguirre,
who came provided with money, paid the
men off, settling all accounts, after which
the men were satisfied to lay down their
arms. which they did on Thursday.
The example set by the irregulars gave
rise to fears that the entire army would
follow suit and demand their pay, mutiny-
ing If their demands were unsatisfed, espe-
cially IL dissatisfaction was openly ex-
pressed in public by Spanish officers. Gen.
Aroles, military governor of Havana, con-
sequently called meeting of his subordi-
nate officers, at which he warned them
against INSTRUMENTATION, reminding them
that their most sacred duty was obedience
to and Implicit faith in the mother country
at this critical juncture.
An officer, more hot-headed and plain
spoken than the rest, rose and made an
imprisoned speech, in which he declared
that the government should be ashamed to
suspect for one moment the loyalty of the
army. The army, he said, had been made
the scapegoat of Spa.ns m.srule and mis-
management of the campaign and had ac-
cepted the degrading blame laid upon its
shoulders without a murmur, proving its
10y atty and fidelity to Spain. The army and
navy, the officer also said, had not been
consulted by the government before the
|signing of the humiliat.ng terms of peace.
Admiral Cervera's fleet had been sacrificed
to serve base political aims. General Toral
bad been ordered to surrender ingloriously
to serve the same political greed, and now
the government had accused or suspected
the army Of sedition and revolt
The arraignment Of Spain's shortcomings
by the officer was fierce. but is generally
considered true. His enthusiastic support
under all conditions of Spanish institutions
and Spanish honor called forth applause
from all present
The Spanish evacuation commission is
manifestly irritated over the failure of the
Madrid government to give definite ans
wer or instructions regarding the final date
|of the evacuation. The Spanish govern
ment, 1t Is believed, wishes to lay the full
responsibility upon the commission s
shoulders, evading all direct blame for the
ultimate issue. The commission, however,
seems disposed to force the home govern
ment to show its face for once and strongly
worded messages to that effect are being
cabled hourly.
A decree of Captain General Blanco.
dated Oct. 5th, has been published. 1t pro-
vides. first, that full discharge be granted
to every enlisted man who has the right
to it and who desires to remain in Cuba !;
secondly it provides for the transfer to the
second reserve Of those who, possessing the
necessary qualifications, wish to remain IN
Cuba; thirdly, the decree provides for the
return to Spain of those who may have
previously lost the right to return pas
sage.
Many Of the Spanish army will decide to
remain here, as there Is brighter future
for them in prospect IN Cuba than there
would be II they returned to Spain