The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-20
FEARS OF HAvANEsE.
People of the Cbunn Capital Afraid
of Spnnish Soldiers.

tCdu OUTSIDE the VICIOUS dLu cIllIl-
inal classes, whose numbers have unfortu-
nately been increasing, the city breads dts
orders. All classes may be relied on to ex-
ercise self-restraint and to aid the authori-
ties. But they do not know what the army
may do. and, not knowing they are fever
ish and expectant. 1t is a question with
some observers whether the trouble will
yet come in Cuba or whether the ambitious
soldier politicians will mold the troops to
their purposes and hold them in check until
the return to Spain. The proposition is not
complicated one If they get fair amount
of the back pay that is due them the troops
will remain Cuiet
THAT many of the battalions are ready to
mutiny is apparent. These will be the first
ones placed aboard the transports and sent
back. The evacuation is likely to be hast
ened by this circumstance. The authorities
have been slow, having found pretexts for
delay, but when they themselves are threat
ened if the inaction continues they will find
it feasible to embark the troops with some
rapidity. Captain General Blanco is him
self anxious to return, but he cannot en-
bark till the preparations for sending back
the troops in Havana province have reached
q more forward step. He is said to be urg-
ing his subordinates to greater activity. At
times there has been a probability of
demonstration against the captain general.
That probability is a diminishing one. The
hostility of the troops is now directed
against Gen. Juan Arolas. the military
governor of Havana province How deep
the feeling is against him since he cut
down an orden publico with his sword cam
not be judged by a person who is not of the
army. The Spanish soldiers are suIen and
do, CT afr fc hot
of dumb animals. Yet that they will forget
the death of their comrade is not believed
though there may be no open revolt
FLOWER OF THE ARMY.
1.-THE officers are excessively nervous
They appear to think that the death of the
Orden Publico will be avenged on General
Arolas. 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 necessary to
maintain discipline. The Orden Publico is
the flower of the Spanish troops. Rather
it should be said it was the flower, for,
as a body, it has been dissolved. Instead
Of being Havana's police force, It's men,
bers are now simply regulars in the ranks
under the displeasure of the authorities
who do not dare disarm them, and with
the sympathy of their comrades Some of
these men may have the personal sympathy
of General Arolas, who, in his republican,
ism, has been charged with Carlist lean
ings. Many of them were Carlist soldiers,
who, in concluding truce with the gov
ernment, stipulated that they should not be
required to serve in Spain, and were there
fore sent to Cuba.
General Arolas himself is one of the best
soldiers that Spain has ever sent to her col
onies. If she had more like him perhaps
she would not be yielding her last possess
sions. 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 a soldier was
enough to attest his loyalty. Whether this
incident is true or not, his independence
made his presence uncomfortable in Spain,
and he was sent out as governor of one of
the Philippine islands. Testimony to his ef-
hciency in making Spanish authority re-
spected by the natives has been given by
those who were in the Philippines at that
time. 1t is also said that his integrity was
something the other Spanish officials could
not understand.
When General Arolas was transferred to
Cuba he was in favor of keeping up a per-
sistent warfare on the insurgents He may
not take high rank as a tactician or a
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 an occasional demonstra-
ton by the troops against the insurgents
and then a long rest. Arolas was fretted
into acquiescence. He built the trocha
across the western part of the island,
which was known as the Weyler trocha,
and which was measurably successful in
Iypa inc fbn
crossing at will. Arolas's independent char
acter brought him into conflict Nth Gen.
WeyIer He was sent to Santa province
and remained there till several 8 after
Blanco superseded Weyler. The he was
recalled and made military governor of Ha-
vana province
HOW AROLAS SUPPRESSED RIOTS.
General Aroas arrived in Havana on the
afternoon of the day in January on which
the army officers precipitated the riots
against autonomy. The officers feared him
far more than Blanco. He took immediate
command of the military forces. During the
days that followed he himself led many
charges against the rioters, sometimes on
horseback and sometimes on foot. He never
failed to clear the streets. He would rush
among a group Of rioters, beat them with
his sword and send them flying. Frequently
the mob would tire of crying Death to au-
tonomy! Death to Blancop and would
roar Long live Arolas!' Then Arolas would
reply with a string Of vigorous oaths and
would scatter the rioters. He had genuine
popularity with the Havana populace. It
did not quail before him, but it yielded to
the general who could abuse it so heartily
In spite of his roughness, General Arolas
was also popular with his soldiers.
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 defense would have
fallen more to the military governor, Aro-
las, than to Captain General Blanco. Gen.
Arolas was sincere in not wanting war with
the United States. Since its conclusion he
has hated the American Nation with the
robust hatred of soldier who feels the hu-
initiation OF his defeated and humbled coun-
try. This feeling has not affected his Of
fetal relations, nor has it lessened the es-
TEEN in which Americans in Havana hold
him. They find no fault with the Spanish
general who fels defeat too deeply to affect
cynicism or indifference.
1T Is known that breach exists between
Blanco and Arolas, and that it does not ina
prove the outlook for getting the troops