The record-union., 1898-10-08
TROUBLE NOT OVER IN CUBA.
SPANISH DISPUTE AUTHORITY
OF UNITED STATES.
A Fight Narrowly Averted Between
Troops Under Colonel Ray
and the SpaHiards.

MANZANILLO, Oct. To-day a
fight was narrowly averted between the
Spanish garrison under Colonel Parron
and the United States troops under
Colonel Ray, one battalion of the Third
Immunes who arrived here from San
tiago to take possession of the city.
The arrival of the Americans had
taken the Spanish commander by sur
prise, and he had represented to Col
onel Ray that he had received word
from General Blanco informing him
that the date for the American occu-
patton had been postponed to October
10th. He requested Colonel Ray to ca
bic for additional instructions. The lat
ter consented tosdo so, and sent a dis
patch to General Lawton at Santiago.
At o'clock this morning Colonel
Ray, not having heard from General
Lawton to the contrary, sent word by
Adjutant Collins to Colonel Parron
that. in accordance with his instruc-
tions, he would march his men to the
city from the dock, a mile away. where
the transport had moved at the re-
quest of Colonel Parron, and he would
take possession of the public buildings
in the name of the Colonel.
At s o'clock the battalion was in mo-
ton, with colors flying. Colonel Ray
marched toward the city, but before
the troops reached the city gate Adju-
tant Collins arrived with Colonel Par
ron's reply. The latter said he had no
objection to surrendering the custom
house at once provided the American
flag was not raised. Colonel Ray re-
torted that the United States was not
accustomed to taking possession with
out displaying the insignia of its SOW
ereignty
The march was then continued tow
ard the city. When the troops passed
the guard at the gate-a body of twen-
ty-five-the latter lined UP and saluted.
The report soon spread through the
city that the Americans had arrived
with colors flying, and the streets We're
soon thronged by apparently the whole
population-men, women and children
turning out by the thousands as the
regiment moved toward the principal
square, where it halted.
At this point a Spanish bugler sound
ed the call to arms, and the Spanish
garrison turned out to the number of
500 men on the other side of the square.
Colonel Ray visited Colonel Parron at
the palace, and a somewhat stormy
interview took place between them,
with the aid of an interpreter.
After considerable discussion and
many requests on the part of Colonel
Parron that Colonel Ray should take
his men out Of the city until General
Blanco could be communicated with. it
was decided not to take action until the
cable offices should be closed at 6
o'clock this evening, Colonel Ray as
serting that if by that time no fur
ther instructions had been received, he
would take action Immediately before
nightfall.
In the meantime the United States
troops were to be marched up to the
barracks which the Spaniards left last
night. on departing for Cienfuegos, Col
onel Ray consenting to encase the col
ors. out of Difference to Colonel Par
ron's fear that the sight of the Ameri
can flag might excite the Spanish ele
nent beyond restraint, and so provoke
some overt act leading to bloodshed.
1t was Colonel Rays firm intention
TO take action as soon as the cable
closed. and it was evident that the SOL
diers on both sides were quite ready to
try conclusions, the Spanish officers
not taking kindly to evacuation.
But some time before the cable clos
ed Colonel Ray received a dispatch
from General Wade explaining that the
commander of the Spanish troops at
Manzanillo had requested a delay un
til October 10th, and that the formal
evacua ton. therefore, was postponed.
The United States troops remain in
the barracks by permission of Colonel
Parron.