Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-15
THEIR PAY OVERDUE,
Spanish Troops Threaten Lite
Of Their Commander,
THE ORDEN PUBu|CO REVOLT,
Mutiny Of Habana Forces Results in
Dissolution Of That Body.
GENERAL AROLAS'S BRUTALITY.
His Men Refuse to Charge or Fire
on Their FeIIow-soIdiers mt His
Command-He Kills an Unarmed
Member of the Orden.
Member of the Orden.

KEY WEST, FLA, November n-Pri-
vate reports from Puerto Principe and
Nuevitas say that 1900 regular soldiers
mutinied and demanded their pay before
embarking for Spain. About 1900 armed
soldiers. the reports add. presented them
selves calling on the Military Governor
Emilio March, for their overdue pay
ThereupoD General March drew his
sword and ordered them to disband. The
soldiers. however refused to obey, and
some OF them, armed with loaded rifles
threatened the life OF General March,
who returned his sword TO its scabbard,
crying out: "Do you wish to kill me?
shouted mo, no; we only want our pay
before embarking for Spain" General
March promised them that they would be
paid. and the soldiers returned to their
quarters peaceably.
MONEY FOR THE MUTINEERS.
The steamer Alva left Habana four days
ago with sl5OOO0 with which to pay these
soldiers. who were to embark immediate
ly for Spain.
The cruiser Alfonso XIII. and the gun
boats Conde de Venadito and Infanta
Isabel have proceeded for Nuevitas, to
compel the soldiers to embark, after
which they will proceed to Gibara for
like purpose, and then go to Spain, unless
new orders are received.
REVOLT IN HABANA.
HABANA. November 1S via KEY
WEST, FLA, November 1.-THE mutiny
of the Orden Publico forces, which for
two days threatened the peace of this
city, resulted In the dissolution OF that
body to-day. when, after the payment OF
some arrears and the promise OF a full
liquidation the revolving troops laid down
their arms. Captain-General Blanco then
ordered all the foot and mounted regl-
ments of the Orden Publco to be dis
banded, that organization ceasing to eX-
list from this date.
The Habana mutiny, which started yes
terday. was precipitated by General Aro-
las. the military governor of the city,
whose fiery temper and brutal treatment
Of officers are the source Of daily spread
ing discomfort At midnight on Wednes-
day General Arolas. at the head of n
battalion of regular infantry, having been
apprised of the intention Of the troops
to join in the mutiny and demand their
pay, surprised the artillery outposts sta
toned along the Vedado road. including
the Santa Clara and Reina Chorra bat
| teries. disarmed them, and placed them
| under surveillance.
AROLAS'S BRUTALITY.
The next morning (Thursday), the
| Third Company of the Orden Publico,
numbering about $50 men. drew up before
the Captain palace in the Plaza
| de Armas and demanded their overdue
pay. The men were ordered to retire but
| refused. General Arolas who arrived on
the scene almost simultaneously, in an
excess of rage lifted his baton OF office
and savagely attacked some of the on
| lockers, seriously hurting government
employee who had rushed out Of the
palace from curiosity. BY this time the
| Plaza de Armas was filed with wildly
| excited crowds, who loudly condemned
| and cursed General ArOlas. They were
| quieted by General Solano. Captain-Gene-
| raj Blancos chief of staff.
The mutinous Orden Publico learned
! later that General Arolas had called in
| over 1900 regulars from the suburbs. Be-
| lievng that General Arolas meant to dis
! arm them. the Orden Publico again left
| their quarters. each man with 150 rounds
|
| in the street opposite the armory, ready
| TO offer resistance. If necessary. Shortly
| after nightfall, General Arolas, at the
| head of the regulars. and preceded by a
| band of music. playing national airs
arrived before the OTden PublcOs head
| quarters where he halted. Before MIN
| stood the mutinous Third Company, grim
| and sullen. General Arolas, mad with
rage. ordered his men TO charge but they
refused TO obey. He then ordered them
| TO fire. which they also refused to do
| General Arolas then realized he had lost
| his moral influence over the men. and
after calling the officers aside. and con-
i ferring with them for a few moments he
| left the palace. accompanied by his STAFF
| and several officers.
| ATTACKS AN UNARMED MAN.
| About two blocks from the scene OF the
| mutinv General Arolass party came upor
| an innocent and unsuspectng member o
the Orden Publico, who was unarmed
| Mad with fury, General Arolas drew ms
| sword and savagely attacked the man
| inaicting on him severe wounds. from
which the victim of the assault died thi:
morning
| In the mix-up. Lieutenant Malta. Gene
raj Arolas's aide-de-camp,' had his hanf
cut supposedly by General Arolas':
|
! Towards midnight most of the regi
| roents of the Orden Publico. both cavalry
and infantry. throughout the city, had
| rnutinied and turned out fully armed
General Arolas. with the regulars, me
them at the Cazada del Monte, where a
renetition of the earlier Incidents occur.
red the troops again refusing to obey
| orders TO fire when commanded to do so
THE MUTINEERS DISBAND.
conference then took place between
| the officers and the men. and rhe mu
| tIneers disbanded and retired for the
| night.
The night passed without any further
untoward incident. beyond the result men
| tioned-namely, the disbanding OF tbs
[Orden Putllco forces.
| TROOPS SAIL FOR SPAIN.
| HABANA. November 14-A battalion q
the Orden Publco was shipped this morn
ing. on board the steamer Alicante, will
| it's officers. There was no opposltio.
| made. and all was quiet here Regular
troops were stationed along the street,
| leading from the Plaza del Armas 20 th'
| wharves
The Alicante. with 800 members CT hi