The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-10-08
TROUBLE IN MANZANILLO
SPINISH AND 1MERICIN TROOPS
 NEARLY CLASH.

Colonel Pnrron Objected to the Raising
 of the Stars and Stripes and Refused to
 Surrender the Custom House-Threat-
 ened to Use Force Unless American Troops Withdrew Outside the City
 Formal Evacuation Finally Post pOned.
 Manzanillo Oct This will be day long to be remembered in the history of Manzanillo. A fight was narrowly averted between the Spanish garrison under Colonel Parron and the United States troops under Colonel Ray, who have arrived here from Santiago to take possession of the city. At seven o'clock this morning Colonel Ray, not having heard from General Lawton to the contrary sent word by Adjutant General Collins to Colonel Parron that, in accordance with his instructions, he should march his men to the city from the dock a mile away, where the Unit ed States transport Reina De Los An geles had moved at the request of Colo nel Parron, and would take possession | of the public buildings in the name of the United States. At o'clock the bat | talion was in motion with colors flying. l Colonel Ray marched toward the city, | but before the troops reached the city | gate Adjutant Collins arrived with Col onel Parron's reply. The latter said he had no objection to surrendering the custom house at once, provided the | American flag was not raised. Colonel Ray retorted that the United States was not accustomed to taking possess sion without displaying the insignia of it's sovereignty
 The march was then continued to- ward the city When the troops passed the guard at the gate, body of twen- | ty-fve, the latter lined up and saluted. | The report quickly spread through the l city that the Americans had arrived with colors flying, and the streets were soon thronged by apparently the whole 1 population, men, women and children l turning out by thousands, as the regl- ment marched toward the principal square, where it halted At this point a Spanish bugler sounded the call to 1 arms and the Spanish garrison turned | out to the number of five hundred men on the other side of the square. Colonel Ray visited Colonel Par ron at the palace and a somewhat stormy interview took place between them with the aid of an interpreter. The Spanish commander said he had understood from Colonel Ray that mat l ters were to remain over until October l 10 and that he should consider himself tricked. Colonel Ray explained that he ! had never said anything of the sort | that his instructions were to take pos- session on October '. Thereupon Colo- nel Parron said the American troops l must be removed at once. Colonel Ray | refused Colonel Parron declared that | he would use force. Colonel Ray an- | swered: If you wish to precipitate fur ther hostilities with the United States I am unable to prevent it. But so far as I am concerned I have certain orders which, as a soldier am bound to car ry out. I appreciate the position in which you find yourself, but I am una ble to help you. After the United States troops are fired upon believe the men l who are with me are quite as able to take care of themselves, although lit tie outnumbered, and although l am opposed to a useless waste of life, I shall face the issue in any way that it suits you"
 Colonel Parron said he would inme- diately order the arrest of the officer who allowed the American troops to pass the city gate. Colonel Ray re- torted ''If he had refused I should have been under the unpleasant neces- sity of shooting him and of them forc- ing an entrance.'' After considerable discussion and many requests on the part of Colonel Parron that Colonel Ray should take his men out Of the city until General Blanco could be com- municated with, it was decided not to take action until the cable office had closed at o'clock this afternoon, Col onal Ray asserting that if by that time no further instructions had been re- ceived he would take action 'immedi- ately before nightfall. In the meantime the United States troops were to be marched up to the barracks which the Spanish guards Jeff. last night.
 About o'clock Colonel Ray consent ed to encase the American colors out of deference to Colonel Parron's fear that the American flag might excite the Spanish element beyond restraint. On leaving the palace the two colonels walked to the square, where they ar- rived just in time to prevent collision between their forces. It appears that some Spanish officers, who had misun- derstood an order from Colonel Parron had notified the American troops that they must leave immediately. Captain Frost, in command during Colonel Rays absence, refused to comply, whereupon he was told that the blood of his men would be upon their own heads.
 At this moment Colonel Ray came up and Captain Frost reported the occur renee. Colonel Parron promptly or dered his over-zealous subordinate away. Then began the march of a mile to the barracks through the crowded streets, most of the onlookers being ev- idently pro-Spanish, judging from their scowling looks and uncomplimentary remarks The march led around the square As the Americans passed the Spanish garrison, the latter presented