, 1898-10-08
NARROWLY AVER7ED
HOSTILITTES ALMOST PRECLPlTA-
TATED BETWEEN SPAIN
AND UNITED STATES.
American Troops Marched Into Prin-
cipad Square of Manzanillo, But the
Spanish Commander Ordered Their
. Removal at Once-Ray Refused
Would Carry Out Orders.

Would Carry Out Orders.
Manzanillo, Oct. This will be a
day long to be remembered in the his
tory of Manzanillo. A fight was narrowly
averted between the Spanish garrison
under Colonel Parron and the United
States troops under Colonel Ray, n
battalion of the Third immunes, who
have arrived here from Santiago to
take possession of the city. The ar
rival of the Americans had taken the
Spanish commander by surprise and he
had represented to Colonel Ray that
he had received word from General
Bianco informing him the date for
American occupation had been post
pond to October 10. He requested Col
onel Ray to cable for additional in
structions. The latter consented to do
so and gent a dispatch to General Law
ton 1t Santiago. At Z o'clock this
morning, Colonel Ray not having heard
from General Lawton to the contrary,
sent word by Adjutant Collins to Col
onel Parron that in accordance with
his instructions he should march his
men to the city from the dock, a mile
away, where the United States trans
port had moved at the request of Col
onel Parron, and would take possession
OF the public buildings Of the city in
the name Of the United States.
AT s o'clock the battalion was in mo-
ton with the colors flying. Colonel
Ray marched toward the city but be-
fore the troops reached the city gate
General Collins arrived with Colonel
Parron's reply. The letter said he had
no objection to surrendering the Gus
tom house at once, provided the Amer-
can flag was not raised. Colonel Ray
retorted the United States was not ac-
customed to taking possession without
displaying the insignia Of its SOW
ereignty. The march was then con-
tinued toward the city.
! When the tropos passed the guard at
the sate. a body OF twenty-five. the
latter lined up and saluted. The re-
port eoon spread through the city that
the Americans had arrived with colors
flying. and the streets we're soon
thronged by apparently the whole pop
ulation, men, women and children turn
ing out by the thousands. as the regi-
ment marched toward the principal
square, where it halted. At this point
the 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.
Colonel Ray visited Colonel Parron
at the palace and a somewhat stormy
interview took place between them,
with the aid Of an interpreter. Colonel
Parron said the American troops must
be removed at once. Colonel Ray re-
fused. Colonel Parron declared he
would use force. Colonel Ray replied:
III you wish to precipitate further
hostilitbes with the United States, 1
am unable to prevent it. but 80 far as I
am concerned l have orders, which,
as a soldier. l am bound to carry out.
appreciate the position in which you
find yourself but am unable to help
you. II the United States troops are
fired upon l believe that the men who
are with me r quite able to take care
of themselves even though a little out
numbered, and although l am opposed
to the useless waste Of life, l shall face
the issue in any manner that suits
you"
Colonel Parron said he would i'm
mediately arrest the oficer who allow
ed the American troops to pass the
gate.
Colonel Ray retorted:
III he had refused I should have been
under the unpleasant necessity of
shooting him and forcing an en-
trance"
After considerable discussion and
many requests on the part OF Colonel
Parron that Colonel Ray should take
his men out Of the city until Blanco
could be communicated with, It was de-
cided not to take action until the cable
ONCE should be closed at 6 O'Clock this
evening, Colonel Ray asserted that
II at that time no word was received
he would take action Immediately and
before ndghtfall. Ia the meantime
the United States troops were 10 be
marched out to the barracks which the
lS~paniards left last nftht on dsparting
for Cienfuegus. Colonel Ray conssutinS
to the request In the case oe cojoS.
out of Difference to Colonel PazToo's
fear that the sight OF tho American
dag might excite the Spanish element
beyond restraint and % provoke Soma
overt act leading to bioodshed.
Then was the march Of . mile to che
barracks began, through crowded
streets. most Of the oasooAsrs bslng
evidently pro-Hpaniah judging tom ths
scowlfng loon and OVERWHELMINGLY
remarks. 1t was Colonel lnys 1fm
Ifntsntiou to take cAarN - 500 - ~
cable was closed. end II wac .1ytasai
~ soldiers on Sotk ss6i1 49, tssdJ