Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-18

lest generals. He is popular with his off,
GERS and with his men. He islalso liked by
the Havana populace, thDughffne storms at
them and calls them bad names, for he
can swear as though his camp stool had
been with the army in Flanders. His pop
ularity will continue until he happens to
kill two or three score persons by ordering
his troops to fire low. Then khere will be
a revulsion in popular feeling.
1t seems like a paradox that this Carltst
general, with republican leanings. should
today, but it is literally so, FOR what hap
pens in Havana may determine the fate of
the monarchy. 1 have sketched him in out
line because any morning he may become
his duty as soldier unflinchingly no one
Que stions. Whether he will perform it
with judgment and discretion will be de-
termiLed later. They will not play with
Arolas," l heard one man remark. ~ few
minutes later he was giving orders to
charge with bayonet the mob which was
then threatening the newspaper office. And
the rioters had rougher experience Thurs
day night, with Arolas in command. than
on the previous evening. He relied, too,
more on the regular troops than on the
order -publico and the guardia civil. In the
early evening the Indications of trouble
centered around the palace. Several times
there the troops presented arms and
chased the mob, which showed swift heels.
The order. "Atras, atras, back, back"
meant something.
Rioters Routed.
Later the disturbance broke out in the
neighborhood of the Paroue Central. The
rioters gathered on the Prodo in force.
The infantry was bivouacking in trent of
the hotel. l recognized one company which
had seen as part Of Spanish column
operating in the country not long ago The
men relished the fresh experience. 1t was
better than fighting insurgents IN the
bushes. The mass Of rioters on the Prodo
grew larger, and the cries began to swell
into hoarse roar. 1t was what had been
heard the night before-"Viva Weyler''
"Abajo a Blanco, "-"Down with Blanco"--
Long live the volunteers" At times a cry
would go up, viva Blanco," but the tones
were full Of rlockery. The demonstration at
last became so threatening that cavalry
charge was ordered. splendid sight it
was. as the squadrons galloped through
the park with their cleaning swords But
ranks for the squadrons without being rid
den down. The troop used the fiat side OF
the sword steadily. The rioters yielded
slowly. They did not seem to be on bad
terms with the forces that were beating
them back for they kept crying, "Lons
1--we the army" In an hour and a half 1
witnessed four cavalry charges, and twice
the infantry followed on the dJuble-quick
tered in the side streets. where sections of
it continued celebrating the death of au-
tonomy. Gen. Arolas personally directed
the movements of the troops. An hour be-
fore midnight he had the streets cleared
The rest of the night passed without in
cident
Friday was a day of comparative calm.
1t was known everywhere that the gar
risons had been heavily strengthened and
the authorities apparently had military
forces large enough to keep the elements
Of violence and disorder under control
The volunteers growled. but did nothing
and there was no street rioting The Off
cial decree muzzling the press was publish
ed in the afternoon. A good many persons
turned up at the hospitals with bruises.
sashes. scalp wounds and broken bones
At night enough reinforcements had ar
rived to enable the military authorities to
apparently loosen the grip Permits wera
not required to go along the streets. The
cafes were open and had some customers.
The lottery vendors reappeared. People
were allowed to stroll through the park AMI
were even encouraged to do so. Not many
Of those who had been engaged in the riot
ing accepted the invitation. With the
squadrons of troops facing each side of the
square, they were not going TO be shut up
like rats in trap One or two demon
STATIONS occurred and oEcesa charge was
made by the mounted oden pubico but
the offenders were mostly boys, who sour
red away at the first movement. The real
rioters apparently had an understanding
II stay away The volunteers were said to
be holding secret NEE tings in other parts
Of the city. After midnight the patrol was
decreased. One or two false alarms before
daybreak caused apprehension, but 1t was
quickly quieted. Enough troops showed
themselves on the instant to give assurance
that the city was fully protected.
CHARLES NJ. PEPPER.