The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-11

Ray With His Troops Enter
Hanzanillo Agzinst Protest Of the
Spanish-He Declines TO Retire and q
Battle In Imminent.

ManzaniIlo. october A fight was
narrowly averted today 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.
The arrival Of the Americans had
taken the Spanish commander by sur
prise and he had represented to Col
one Ray hat he had received word
from General Blanco informing him
that the date for the American occu-
patton had been postponed to October
10TH He requested Colonel Ray to ca
BILE for additional instructions. The
latter consented to do so and sent a
dispatch to General Lawton at San
tiago.
At : o'clock this morning Colonel
Ray, having not heard from General
LawtOn TO the contrary, sent word by
Adjutant Collins to Colonel Parron,
that, in accordance with his instruc-
tons, he should march his men to the
city from the dock, a mile away, WHERE
the United States transport Reina de
Los Angeles had moved at the reQuest
Of Colonel Parron, and would take pos
session Of the public buildings in the
name Of the United States.
At s o'clock the battalion was in mo-
ton, with colors flying. Colonel Ray
marched toward the city, but before
the troop reached the city Adjutant
Collins arrived with Colonel Parron's
reply. The latter sal he had no OBJ
lection to surrendering the custom
house at once, provided the American
flag was not raised. Colonel Ray re-
torted that the United States was not
accustomed to taking possession with
out displaying the insignia of it's SOW
ereignty.
The march was hen continued to-
| ward the city. When the troops pass
ed the guard at the gate, a body of
twenty five, the latter lined up and
saluted. The report spread through
the city that the Americans had arriv-
ed with colors flying and the streets
were soon ~thronged, as the regiment
marched toward the principal square,
where it halted.
Al this point a Spanish bugler sound
ed the call to arms, n 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. The
Spanish commander said he had I'M
derstood from Colonel Ray that mat
ters were to remain over until October
10th and that he considered himself
tricked Colonel Ray explained that
he had never said anything of that
! sort, that his instructions were to take
possession of the city of October 7th;
that he had cabled for further instruc-
&;~-~ 80 49, $500 L.
had proceeded to act upon his original
orders.
ThereupOn Colonel ParrOn said the
American troops must be removed at
once. Colonel Ray refused.
| Colonel Parron declared he would
use force. Colonel Ray answered: eff
| o wish to precipitate further HOSTILE
ties with the United States, I am un-
| able to prevent it; but SO far as I am
concerned, I have certain orders, which,
as a soldier, I am bound to carry out.
I appreciate the position in which you
find yourself, but am unable to help
you. If the United States troops are
fired upon I believe the men who are
with me are quite able to take care
of themselves, even though a little
outnumbered, and although I am OPP
posed to a useless waste of life, I shall
face the issue in any way it suits
you"
Colonel Parron said he would i'm
mediately order the arrest of the Off
GER who allowed the American troops
to pass the city gate.
Colonel Ray retorted: eff he had re-
fused. I should have been under the
unpleasant necessity of shooting him
and then forcing an entrance"
After considerable discussion anG
many requests on the part of Colonel
Parron that Colonel Ray should take
his men out of the city until General
BlancO could be communicated with
it was decided not to take action unit
the cable office had closed at 6 O'Clock
this afternoon, Colonel Ray asserting
that if at that time no further instruc.
lions had been received he would take
action before nightfall.
In the meantime the United States
troops were to be marched up to the
barracks which the Spaniards left las
night OF departing for Cienfuegos
Colonel Ray consenting to meas tn
cOlOrs out of Difference to Colonel Par
rOn's fear that the sight of the Amer
lean flag might excite the Spanish ele
ment beyond restraint and so provoke
some overt act leading to bioodshed
On leaving the palace the two colo
nels walke to the squar where the,
arrived just in time to prevent a col
lision between their forces. 1t appear:
ludI SoIiIc opdIItSH lIICSI WHO Hd
misunderstood an order from Colone
Parron, had just notified the American
troops that they must leave immedi
ately. Captain Frost, in command dur
ing Colonel Rays absence, refused t
comply; w%hereupon he was told tina
the blood of his men would be upo1
their own heads.
At this moment Colonel Ray cam
up and Captain Frost reported tn
occurrence. Colonel Parron promtl,
ordered his over-zea1ous subordinat
away.
Then began the march of a mile t
the barracks through the crowde,
streets. most of the on-lookers beini
evidently pro-Spanish, judging fror
their scowIing looks aNd uncompli
mentary remarks. The march lie,
around the square. AS the American
passed the Spanish garrison the lat
ter presented arms. The barracks wer
found in a healthful locality and il
good condition.
1t was Colonel Rays first intention
to TAX action as 500 as the cabl