Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-14
IN A HOSTiEE~CROWD
General Lee and Captain sigsbee at the Ha-
vana Bull Fight
Hatred Of the Spaniards Shown by a
Cir~ular-Jeering mt the
Maine.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

"A los toros!' ITO the bull fightv'
In Havana last Sunday was Fastening
with the crowd to the bull fight, when
noticed Consul General Lee, Capt. Sigsbee
OF the Maine and others going in the same
direction. Being only an obscure American
c1tIzeE, with some curiosity. I decided to
follow as close to the official party as pos
sible and see what happened; for consid-
cred 1t exceedingly risky for the officers of
the Maine to go to the bull fight at all.
Every Spanish revolution has begun in a
bull ring. The people would be crazy with
excitement, and If but one man should
shout Down with the Americans!' the
whole immense crowd might attack them in
an instant
The consul general and the Names COM
mander seemed to have no such fears, how
ever. and walked on toward the bull ring.
only stopping moment to read printed
circular which was freely distributed among
the crowd. The circular was most threat
ening in its language. give it verbatim:
sPANIARDs!
Long Live Spain With Honor!
What are We doing that we allow your
selves to be insulted in this way? Do we
not see what they have done to us In with
drawing our brave and beloved Weyler,
who at this very time would have finished
with this unworthy, rebellious rabble, who
are tramping on our flag and on our honor?
Autonomy is imposed on us to cast US
to one side and to give posts of honor and
authority to those who initiated this re-
bellion, these ill-born autonomists. I'M
grateful sons of our beloved country.
And, finally, those Yankee dogs who
NEEDLE in our affairs, humiliating US to
the last degree, and, for still greater taunt.
order to US one of the ships of war of their
rotten squadron, after insulting US in their
newspapers from our home.
Spaniards, the moment of action has ar
rived Sleep not. Let us show these vile
traitors that We have not yet lost shame,
and that we know how to protest with the
energy BETTING a nation worthy and
Death to the Americans! Death to au-
tonomy! Long live Spain! Long live
Weyler!
Some of the party seemed to hesitate
after this, but Captain Sigsbee decided to
go on fancied that he wished to test the
Spanish feeling toward him, and also to
assert his right to go where officers of
other natfonalities could go. On arriving at
the bull ring the Names party went at
once to their box, tickets for which had
been presented them, 1 learned. by General
Parade. No. 10 was the number, which
to superstitious minds might have been
reason enough for declining it. The cap
tain generals box was beautifully draped;
just below 1t is the bright red fence which
separates the ring from the aisle in which
the fighters may retreat. The usual crowd
OF men ana Sally-dreSSeQ women ana chill
dren filled the tiers Of seats. Fans waved
in every direction, for 1t was warm,
and dark-eyed Spanish beauties chatted,
laughed and applauded with delight the
Polite, but threatening.
General Parade bowed to General Lee
and Captain Sigsbee as they entered. but
seemed nervous, l thought, and fearful of
some trouble. I could see looks Of hate on
the faces of the Spanish officers they
glanced over at the American box Just
below were a number of armed Spanish SOL
diers, besides many more sprinkled about
among the spectators. The atmosphere
seemed volcanic, and I saw that General
Lee realized 1t. The party was hardly
ring. He was red. with long spreading
horns, and violently aggressive from the
start to the final killing.
The colors of the gay costumes and the
feats Of skill shown are pleasing enough at
first, but to any one but Spaniard the
sight Of those poor. miserable horses is
distressing and brutally cruel.
How the Americans Departed.
I saw the Spanish women eye those in
box 10 through their glasses. The Ameri-
can party were about to leave, wisely judy
ing 1t best to go before this wild, excited
crowd could inc!ose them. They walked
out quietly, and 1 followed at some dis
lance behind, anxious to know of their
safety Four Of the party were In time for
the ferry boat. but Consul General Lee
and Captain Sigsbee just missed 1T. The
next ferry boat would be packed with the
people from the bull fight.
Fortunately a sailboat was seen APP
preaching just in the nick of time. The
two gentlemen were soon taken across the
blue water to the Maine, which. to my eyes,
looked more formidable than ever.
I waited on shore awhile and found my
self in the next ferry boat in the midst Of
the bull-ring crowd. Expressions of con-
tempt and derision of the Yankees passed
freely from mouth to mouth. AS the boat
passed by the Maine the crowd cried viva
Espagna!' amid whistles, shouts and yells.
. Captain Sigsbee and Consul General Lee
standing aft on the poop of the man-of-
war, calmly looked at the crowd. doubtless
feeling glad to be out of it. Afterward, at
the club. 1 heard that when General Lee
left the Maine he preferred to take a pri-
vare boat and land at rather unusual
place.
The genial Virginian is plucky to the
backbone, but he probably thought discre-
ton and good judgment the best guides in
this case, as in others.