The record-union., 1898-11-20

Fear a Recurrence Of the Mutiny Among the
Spanish Soldiers.
The Hostility OF the Troops Now
Directed Against. General Aro-
las, Military Governor Of the
Province-GeneraI Blanco Urg-
ing His Subordinates to Greater
Activity in Preparations For
Embarking the Soldiers.

Embarking the Soldiers.
NEW YORK, Nov. ia dispatch
to the Tribune from Havana says:
Havana is in a state, not of tumult,
but of unrest. The mass of the popu-
lation is not turbulent. 1t is as anx-
ious as the business men for a quiet
transition from Spanish rule TO Amer
lean possession. Outside the vicious
and criminal classes, whose numbers
have unfortunately been increasing, the
city breads disorder. All classes may
be relied upon to exercise self-restraint,
and to aid the authorities. But they
do not know what the army may do,
and, not knowing, they are feverish and
eXpectant.
1t is a question with some observers
whether the trouble will yet come in
Cuba, or whether the ambitious SOL
der politicians will mold the troops to
their purposes, and hold them in check
until their return to Spain. The
proposition is not a complicated one.
If they get a fair amount of the back
pay that is due them, the troops will
remain quiet
ready to mutiny is apparent. These
will be the first ones placed aboard the
transports and hastened back The
evacuation is likely to be FASTENED by
this circumstance. The authorities
have been slow, and have found pre-
texts for delay, but when they them
selves are threatened, If the inaction
continues they will find it feasible to
ar, how
Captain General Blanco is himself anx-
ious to return, but he cannot embark
till the preparations for sending back
The troops in Havana Province have
reached a more forward step. He is
said to be urging his subordinates to
greater activity At times there has
been a probability of a demonstra-
tin against the Captain General. That
probability is a diminishing one.
The hostility of the troops is now
directed against. General Juan Arolas,
military Governor of Havana prov
ince. How deep the feel.-s is against
him since he cut down an Orden Pub
leo with his sword cannot be judged
by a person who is not of the army. The
Spanish soldiers are sallen and unde-
monstrative. Their obedience is that
Of dumb animals. Yet that they will
forget the death of thei~ comrade is
not believed, though there may be no
open revolt. The officers are excess
sively nervous. They appear to think
that the death of the Orden Publico
will be avenged on General Aro1as.
That grim old soldier is himself the
least concerned of all. He would cut
down with his OWN hand every member
of the Orden Publico if it were neces-
sary to maintain discipline.
The Orden Publicos are the flower of
the Spanish troops. Rather, it should
be said they were the flower. for as
a body they have been dissolved. IN
stead of being Havana's police force,
they are now simply regulars in the
ranks, under the displeasure of the au-
thorities who do not dare disarm them.
and with the sympathy of their COM
rades. Some of those men have the
personal sympathy of General Arolas.
Who, in his republicansm, has been
charged with Carlist leanings. Many
of them were Carlist soldiers. who in
concluding a truce with the Govern
ment. stipulated that they should not
be required to serve in Spain. and
were therefore sent to Cuba.
General Arolas himself is one of the
best soldiers that Spain has ever sent
to her colonies. If she had more like
him perhaps she would not be Welding
her last possessions. 1t is said of
Arolas that he refused to take the oath
to support the monarchy, which was
required of all the Generals, and that
he declared the word of soldier was
enough to attest his loyalty. Whether
this incident is true or not, his indie
pendence made his presence uncom-
Portable in Spain, and he was sent as
Governor of one of the Philippine ISL
ands Testimony to his efficiency in
making Spanish authority respected
by the natives has been given by those
who were in the Philippines at that
time. 1t isSalso said that his integrity
was something that other Spanish Off
Gals could not continue.
When General Arolas was transferred
to Cuba he was in favor of keeping I'D
a persistent warfare on the insurgents.
He may not take high rank as a tao
tician or strategist. but he saw that
the only way the insurrection could be
subdued was by treading on its heels.
At that time the plan of campaign was
ma occasional demonstration bv the
troops against the insurgents. and then
long rest. Arolas was fretted into
acquiescence. He built the trocha
across the western part of the island.
which was known as Weyler trocba.
and which was measurably successful
in keeping the insurgents under Ma
Geo from crossing at will. Arolas' in
dependent character brought him in
conflict with General Weyler. He was
sent to Santiago Province. and re-
manned there till several weeks after
Blanco superseded Weyler. Then he
was recalled and made Military Gov
ernor of Havana Province.
General Arolas arrived in Havana on
the afternoon of the day in January on
which the army officers precipitated
the riots against autonomy. The Of
ficers feared him more than RIanco
He took immediate command of the
military forces. During the davs that
followed he himself led MANY charges
against the rioters. sometimes on horse
back and sometimes ON foot. He never
failed to clear the streets.
If the peaceful blockade of Havana
by the United States had been changed
into an assault by land, many persons
believe that the honor of a heroic de-