The evening times., 1898-12-30
HAVANA THREATENED
BY UNRULY CUBANS.
Insurgents Manifest q Dispo-
sit..0l to Make Trouble.
A Party Ready to Take the Field and
Renew Fighting.
Flags Torn Down in the
City-UnfriendIy Attitude of
General Menocal.

Havana, Dec. 30.-Most startling rumors
are flying about in this city and are given
credence by excited crowds thronging the
streets.
1t was reported early yesterday even
ing that Gen. Mariana Menocai and his
Cuban forces at La Paya had been asked
to take the oath of allegiance to the Uni
ted States and had refused.
For some time the oath has been admin
istered to Cuban soldiers who in any ca
pacity have performed duty under the di
rection of the United States military
forces.
Later mounted insurgents who clatter-
ed into town are said to have told va
rious groups in the streets that General
Menocal had withdrawn his troops from
La Paya and taken to the field. This
story, whether regarded as truth or falsi-
ty, is worthy of serious attention because
of the eagerness with which ii was re-
Ceived by the crowds who insisted upon it's
truth
OF course such action as General Memo
cal is reported to have taken would mean
a declaration of war.
The situation growing out of the re-
fusal of Gen. Brooke to permit the par
ticpation of the Cuban troops in the exer-
cises on evacuation day has become cri-
sis. What the outcome will be no one
knows. The feeling in Havana is in
tense.
The United States flag has been torn
down from many houses in the lower dis
tricts of the city. Upper class Gu
bans sent cablegrams without number to
President Mckinley today begging him to
undo the blunders which have been COM
mitted.
Cablegrams have been sent broadcast
over the United States asking for public
meetings, appealing to the commonsense
and justice of the American people.
1t is certain that the proposal to bar
the Cuban army and leaders, including Co.
mez and other generals, from the exer-
cises Sunday has practically sundered the
bond OF sympathy between the people of
Cuba and the United States.
The Cuban leaders are doing every
thing to prevent an outbreak. but say that
if Gen. Brookes command is carried out
they will be helpless.
Judge Advocate Charles Gould, of the
American Commission, today cabled the
President regarding the intense uneasiness
over the situation here advising that the
Cubans be permitted to participate Late
last night no answer had been received
La Lucia, the leading newspaper of Ha-
vana, urges the Cubans to keep calm and
await the decision of the President.
The more excitable of the population of
Havana in the lower districts of the city
are beginning to hoot the American SOL
diers.
Cuban soldiers came into camp at La
Paya and Marianao with the understanding
that they were TO march into Havana on
evacuation day. They bought new uni
forms and outfits. In their honor the
streets of Havana have been lavishly deco
rated, the people intending to meet the
insurgents on the outskirts and escort
them with music and cheering to the
Prado.
The Second Battalion of the Second Illi-
nois has been ordered to Cienfuegos. on the
south coast, eighty-four miles from Ha-
vana. The place has not yet been eyacu-
ated, and the Illinois soldiers are to pre-
serve order as the Spaniards withdraw.