The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-08
A FIGHT.
One Narrowly
Averted
AT MANZANILLO.
Stormy Interview Between
Col. Ray and Col. Parron.


Cuba, Oct Gone battalion Of Col
Rays immunes arrived last night at
Calicito on board the Reinade Los
Angeles, en- route for Manzanillo.
This morning the battalion reached
Manzanillo. to the evident astonish-
ment of the Spanish authorities, who
claimed that they had not expected the
United States troops for five days. Col
Ray accompanied by Col. Donaldson Of
Santiago and an interpreter visited the
Spanish colonel. Parron, In command Of
the local garrison, numbering $780, He
informed Col. Parron that he had ar
rived to take charge of the government
buildings and to assume military com
mand of the city in accordance with the
agreement reached between the United
States and the Spanish evacuation COM
missioners at Havana
Col. Parron, who was exceedingly
courteous, welcomed the American
officers. He said he had received a tele-
graphic communication from Gen.
Blanco informing him that the date of
American occupation had been changed
to Oct 10, and requested Col. Ray to
cable Gen. LaWton at Santiago for fur =
Their Instructions.
Col Ray offered to take over the Gus
toms house and to allow the other
buildings to await a formal surrender
until next Tuesday. Col. Parron OBJ
jected to this, saying that all or none
should be delivered 1t was finally ar
ranged that both commanders should
telegraph their superiors, but if Col.
Ray does not receive a reply by tomer-
row he will carry ont his original or
| ders
The next question that arose was re-
garding the landing Of troops. Col. Par
ron wanted Col. Ray to pitch his camp
two miles of, for fear Of a clash. Col.
Ray objected TO this, saying he wanted
| his men in the city, and moreover to
have them on land tomorrow, In order
that they might get cooked provisions.
| He pledged his word that there would
| be no clash so far as his men were con-
cerned. Col. Parron replied that he also
could answer for his own garrison, but
he feared the Cuban element The
Spanish commander courteousiy offered
Col. Ray. half his commissariat sup
plies, if necessary. Col Ray thanked
him for the offer, but declined to take
| advantage Of it. The United States
troops will land tomorrow, though the
landing point had not been decided up
on when this despatch was filed.
While the interview was in progress,
Spanish gunboat in the harbor fred
salute of nine guns in honor of the
body Of Capt Bustamente, former
chief of staff of Admiral Cervera. who
was killed in the entertainments at
Santiago The body arrived on the
steamer Josofita, en- route for Havana,
from which point 1t VIII be re-shipped
to Spain. Col. Ray sent the necessary
order to the Rena de Los Angeles, and
the American flag was dipped
There were no cheers for the Ameri-
cans. but neither was there any an
tagonistic display. There was one
amusing Incident. The captain of the
a bill of health. The American officer
replied that he represented everybody
on board, himself, and would be per-
senally answerable for ALL
Manzanillo Oct. (afternoon) This
viii be a day long to be remembered
in the history Of Manzanillo. A fight
was narrowly averted between the
Spanish garrison under Col Parron
and the United States troops under Col.
Ray.
At o'clock this morning Col. Raw
not having heard from Gen Lawton to
the contrary, sent word by Adiutant
Collins to Col Parron that, in accord
ance with his Instructions he should
march his men to the city from the
dock a mile away, where the United
States transport Reina de Los An
geles had moved at the request of Col.
Parron. and would take possession of
the public buildings in the name OF the
United States.
At s O'Clock the battalion was in mo-
tion with colors flying. Col Ray
marched toward the city, but before
the troops reached the city gate, Ad-
jutant Collins arrived with Col. Par
rons reply. The latter said he had
no objection to surrendering the Gus
tom house at once, provided the Amer
lean flag was not raised. Col. Ray
retorted: THE United States was not
accustomed to taking possession with
out displaying the insignia of its SOW
ereignty."
The march was then continued to-
ward the city. When the troops passed
the guard at the gate, a body of 25,
the latter lined up and saluted. The
report quickly spread through the city
that the Americans had arrived with
coiors flying; and the streets were soon
thronged by apparently the whole pop
ulation, men, women and children
turning out by thousands, as the regi-
ment marched toward the principal
square where II halted AT this point
Spanish bugler sounded the call to
arms. and the Spanish garrison turned
out to the number of 500 men, on the
other side Of the square.
Col. Ray visited Col. Parron at the
palace and a somewhat stormy inter-
view took place between them, with
the aid of an interpreter. The Spanish
commander said he had understood
from Col. Ray that matters were TO re-
main over until Oct. 10, and that he
considered himself trickad. Col Ray
explained that he had never said any
thing of that sort; that his instructions
were to take possession of the city on
Oct 4 that he had cabled for further
instructions, and, not having received
any had proceeded to act upon his or
iginal orders.
Thereupon, Col Parron said the
American troops must be removed at
once. Col. Ray refused. Col. Parron
declared he would use force. Col. Ray
answered. IF you wish to precipitate
further hostilities with the United
States I am unable to prevent 1t, but
so far as l am concerned. have cer-
tain orders which, as q soldier, I am
bound to carry out. appreciate the
position in which you find yourself, but
am unable to help you. After the