Evening star., 1898-11-10
BLANC0 FEARS PARRO
Commander of Cuban Volunteers
Threatens to Cause Trouble.
HAVANA STREETS UNDER GUARD
City Looks Like 1t Did During
the S,ege.
GENERAL WANTS HIS PAY

HAVANA, November o. via Key West
Fla, November 10.-Since early on the
morning of Sunday last the streets OF Ha-
Nana have again presented the appearance
of state Of siege. At every corner four
regulars stationed, armed with Mauser
rifles, besides the usual city patrol.
As it is known the orden publico forces
have been threatening trouble over the re-
fusal of the government TO pay the arrears
of wages due them it at first sup
pc sed that these military precautions were
taken owing II the fear OF an outbreak in
that quarter. Later, however. II was learn
ed that Colonel Masso Parro. late COM
mander of the disbanded Cuban Espanola
Brigade, with his officers, had threatened
to come to the city, proceed to the palace
and demand the settlement of his officers
pay. Fearing that the arrival Of Colonel
Parro would be the signal for other NAL
contents to join the movement and thus
cause serious trouble. Captain General
Blanco forbade Colonel Parro to come to
Havana Anticipating INSTRUMENTATION. how
ever. General Blanco took precautions TO
quell any attempted uprising.
De.erter form Cuban Forces.
General Masso Parro first attracted at
tention when, ranking brigadier gem
VI
to the Spanish army, was given the rank
of colonel and organized brigade of 5000
Cubans under his leadership known as the
Cuban EspanoIa Brigade which did signal
service for the Spaniards during the late
war
About a month ago the brigade began TO
cause considerable trouble by clamorins Tor
their overdue pay. They intrenched them
selves on the Tubulcan estate, outside OF
the city, and refused to disband or lay down
their arms until settlement was made
with them on cash basis. Gen. Agulfre'
the Spanish military governor of Cienfue-
gos visited the camp under flag OF truce
and held 4 conference with Colonel Parro.
The result of this meeting was that a por-
ton of the overdue money was paid TO the
soldiers, and the brigade in turn disbanded.
Discontent Spreads.
This was the first serious trouble with
the irregular or mobilized troops over the
non-payn1ent of wages; but open disconteat
in regard to this matter Las 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 en-
listed man obtaining his discharge VIII
only be paid upon the evacuation OF the
island by the respective regiments TO WHICH
the soldiers belonged.
This latest announcement Is a modlhca-
ton of a previous decree providing that the
Spain This met with such an energetic
protest, however, that it was subsequently
revoked over 10000 of the enlisted men
asking for their discharge in order thdt
they might remain in Cuba.
When the partial payment before referred
to was made to the Cuba Espanola Brlgade
the money was divided amcng the rank ara
file, Col. Parro and his officers accepting
a promise of future payment OF their sal
aries the total amount being over SlN,op'
which they now claim.
The battalion of Sancti SpirituS guerlllas
was partially paid On Saturday last but the
members showed their discomfort by ap-
pointing a committee to go to the palace IN
Havana and demand from Captain General
Blanco the payment OF over Sio'''oo sthi
due them.
The Battalion Municipal. composed Il
firemen of Havana, who engaged IN actlEe
operatio in the field for three whole
years are owed 81, 100000. none OF which, 1t
is claimed. has been paid
Only a Few Instances.
These are cnly few instances showing
the position OF the Spanish army here.
whose discomfort increases daily, causing a
display of armed force In the streets of the
CITY on the slightest suspicion of an open
nanifesta ton of such displeasure.
II is alleged that the corruption in the de-
rartment Of finance of the insular govern
ment has reached such pitch tina; em-
pIoyes ana officials are openly taxed 30 20
ard even 10 per cent discount on their SAL
aries which they are forced TO accept or 50
unpaid.
The same corrupt system, il is further
asserted: pervades every branch of the ad-
ministration, the local press going far
as q ask for the ousting of the municipal
officers, saying that the autonomist control
is worse than the old Spanish colonial ad-
ministration.
This state of affairs has developed a gang
of thieves. burglars and murderers, 1eop-
ardizing the lives and property of peace
able citizens The number of hold-ups and
assaults multiply daily. 1t may safely be
said that nearly all the crimes are the re-
suit of hunger and privation. The sltua-
tion daily grows worse; corruption and
bribery flourish, crime spreads and hun
dreds of persons are diving from want