New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-08
NEAR 4 FIGHT AT TNANZANILLO
COLLISION BETWEEN AMERICANS AND
sPANIARDs NARROWLY AVERTED.
SPANISH COMMANDER REFUSES TO SURRENDER
THE TOWN on DEMAND OF COLONEL
RAY-Exc1T1NG INCIDENTS IN
THE CUBAN CITY.
THE CUBAN CITY.

Manzanillo Oct. This will be day long
to be remembered in the history Of Manzanilo'
fight was narrowly averted between the
Spanish garrison under Colonel Parron ana the
United States troops under Colonel Ray VINO
have arrived here from Santiago TO take pos
session Of the city
The arrival of the Americans had taken 'he
Spanish commander by surprise. and ne had
represented to Colonel Ray that he had received
word from General Blanco informing MN t"''
the date Of the American occupation had pcen
postponed 70 October 10 He requested Coionei
Raw to cable for additional Instructions me
latter consented to do so. and sent dispatch 10
General Lawton at Santiago At O'clock th'S
morning Colonel Ray, not having heard from
General Lawton to the contrary, sent "oru pS
Adtutant Collins to colonel Parron tEat' III d.
cordance with his instructions. he should haIo"
his men to the city from the dock. nile away
where the United States transport keina ue ios
Angeles had moved at the request OF Colohel
Parron. and would take possession Of the puoiic
buildings in the name Of the United states
oR1ECTED TO THE AMERICAN FLAG
Al s o'clock the battalion was in notion WIN
colors flying Colonel Ray marched toward '''7
city but before the troops reached the cl'E ea.o
Adiutant Collins arrived with Colohei raii0
reply. The latter said he had no oo]ecuoh ~
surrendering the custom house at once pr
vided the American flag was not raised Coione'
Paw retorted that the United States was not ac-
customed TO taking possession without oisp"'
ing tho insignia of its sovereignty
Tba r,arch was then continued toward the
c,tv When the troops passed the guard al ire
gate q body of twenty-five men. the latter hneu
-, and saluted The report soon spread through
.ha city that the Americans had arrived Win
.o,ors ewing and streets were soon throneeu py
annarentIv the whole population. men, "on'e"
ond children turning out by thousands as 'he
raeirnent marched toward the principal square,
where it halted A..
Az this point a Spanish bugler soundeu ''s
call to arms. and the Spanish garrison '"i ieN
out to the number Of five hundred men ''' '''0
other side of the square
coiorAl Rav visited Colonel Parron at the pal
are and somewhat stormy in'e'N'e"
rlaco between them with the aid OF HI ''i'o
rretar The spanish commander SAID ne hdu
understood from Colonel Ray that matters W.
IN remain over until october w. anu 'i''' '
considered himself tricked ,,
Colone, Raw explained that he had never said
&C.. - that sort that his instructions We
- tatke nossession Of the city on October T. mat
49, Nd csbred for further instructions. and. not
having received any. that ne nap
act upon his original orders
PAY DECLINES TO MOVE HIS TROOPS
Tbereupon Colonel Parron said the American
troops must be removed at cnce Colonei Ra'
refused Colonel Parron declared ne "ooi" use
force Colonel Ray answered.
.If Won wish 10 precipitate further nostiii"es
r,,b the United States am unable 10 prevent II
Rut en- far as | am concerned, have certain OF
ders which as a soldier. I am bound to carry out
in which
self bf, am unable 10 help you. If the United
c.otAs troons are fred upon believe the men
,,ho are with me are quite able 70 take care or
.ha,,sel,as even though q little outnumbered'
and although I am opposed to useless waste
- uea shall face the issue IN any way IT SUITS
you"
Colonel Parron said he would immediately or
der the arrest Of the officer who allowed the
American troops to pass the city gate
Colonel Raw retorted: IF he had refused
should have been under the unpleasant Necessity
~ shooting him end Of then forcing an en-
trance
After considerable discussion and many re
quests on the part Of Colonel Parron that Colo
mel Ray should take his mon out or the cltE uh-
I'll General Blanco could be communicated WIN
II was decided not to take action until the c'oi'
office had closed at o'clock this afternoon
co,one, Raw asserting that If at that time no
further instructions had been received he wouid
take action Immediately. before nightfai'
In the mean time the United States troops
wore to be marched UP to the barracks whlch
The Standards left last night on departing TOT
Cienfiecos Colonel Ray consentng 10 incase
the colors out OF Difference to Colonel Parton
fear that the sight of the American flag might
excite the Spanish element beyond restraint ana
so nrovoke some overt act leading TO bloodshed'
HosTILITIEs IMMINENT.
on leaving the palace the two colonies walked
10 the SQUARE, where they arrived tust IN time
10 prevent a collision between their forces. II
arrears that some Spanish officer who had
misunderstood an order from Colonel Parron.
had lust given notice 10 the American troops
that they must leave Immediately. Captain
Frost. in command during Colonel Rays abb
sence. refused to comply. whereupon he was
told that the blood OF his men would be upon
their heads
At this moment Colorel Ray came up. and
Captain Frost reported the occurrence. Colonel
Parron promptly ordered his overzeslovs subor-
dnate away.
Then began the march Of mile 70 the bar
racks through the crowded streets, most OF the
onlookers being evidently pro-Spanish. Judging
from their Sowing looks and uncomplimentary
remarks The march led around the square.
As The Americans passed the Spanish garrison
! the latter presented arms. The barracks were
! found in heathful locality and in good con-
/ dition.
| II was Colonel Rays firm intention tc take ac
| ton az soon as the ca be closed. and il evil
| dent that the soldiers both sides were quite
ready 10 try conclusions. the Spanish officers
especially not taking at all kindly 10 evacuation.
! Some tIrna before the able closed Colonel Ray
| received a dispatch from General Wade explain
! ing that the commander of the Spanish troops
! at Nanzanillo had requested q delay until Oc-
/ tober 10 and that the formal evacuation was
! therefore postponed
! The United States troops remain In the bar
| racks by nermission Of Colonel Parron
| Considerable alarm was experienced by me
| civilians who understood the call 10 arms and