New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-13
BLOODSHED IN HAVANA.
THREE CUBANS KILLED AND TWO
, WOUNDED IN A SHOOTING AFFRAY
FIGHT WITH sPANIARDs OVER AN ATTEMPT TO
CLOSE THE TACON THEArRE-AMERI-
CANS IN DANGER.


CLOSE THE TAcoN THEATRE-AMERI-
CANS IN DANGER.
Havana Dec 12-Three Cubans were killed
and one Spanish officer and two Cubans were
wounded last night II an affray between some
Spanish officers of duty and a number OF citi-
and party OF Cubans who wished to close
the Tacon Theatre on account OF the death OF
General Caxto Garcia at Washington Inc
Spanish troops on duty intervened and restoreo
order.
After the news OF General Garcas death
spread through Havana early yesterday even
ing the Cubans wished to have all the places
OF amusement closed. They succeeded in clos
ing two places frequented By Cubans, but the
MANAGEMENT Of the Tacon Theatre where there
were many Spanish officers among the audi
ence refused to close the house. Thereupon Al
legret.e a former captain Of insurgent troops
got into an excited argument with the manager
Of the theatre and Allegrette was escorted TO
the sidewalk by the police on duty. There Al
legrette entered into heated discussion with
a Spanish officer who struck him across the
face with the fat Of his sword. Then there was
a collision between the Cubans and the Spanish
military men. more blows were struck on botn
sides and many persons from the cafes ana
park cheered for Spain and brought crowds OF
squares Suddenly a shot fred by a Gu
ban or by a Spaniard. Intentionally or acci-
dentaily. and the Cubans retreated into the
Hotel Inglaterra More shots were fired on both
sides and Arturo Tuzet, French citizen born
in Havana was shot and seriously wounded
while sitting at a table.
CUBANs SEEK SAFETY.
More shots were fred and the Cubans ran
haF
upstairs Jesus Sotolongo. a Cuban. fell
wounded on the stairs. and another wounded
man broke into the room occupied by Lieu
tenant Fitzhugh Lee, the son Of the General and
former Consul-General here, demanding pro-
lection
General Greene and several members OF his
stan, who had been out the balcony watch
ing the crowd. heard the uproar In the hote"
and went into the corridor. AS soon as the
Spanish officers saw General Greene. who was IN
uniform. they stopped the pursuit Of the Gu
bans. sauted and retired
In the mean time Eastaquio Lerus had been
fatally wounded in the streets. and Pedro Blesa
and man named Jiminez had been killed
Shortly afterward the Spanish guards on duty
swarmed in from the neighboring streets. ana
order was restored
At the time the Cubans and pursuing Span
Humphreys was in the lobby talking with Major
Martin. OF General Greene's staff. and other
men. A bullet shattered a mirror near which
they stood and two others splintered the stair
r. s Howland. Editor ot The Providence
Journal" and ". L. Riley a New-York con-
tractor. were josted by a sudden rush OF shout
!ng and fighting men. Julio sanguily was Sit
nne a table IN the lobby. The violent scenes
in the oIn,o and on the stains lasted, however.
for few minutes only.
AMERICANS ~ DANGER.
on the outside the Spanish soldiers were
CLEARING the great square and the streets In the
vicinity The hotel full of American Off
GERS and civilians and some # them with thel-
wives. We're standing on the balconies at the
imminent ilsk Z being HI; by bullets fired az an
upward angle to scare the crowds. From that
po.n; they watched the spectacle in the lighted
square
l. is reported that. la addition 70 those killed
and wounded who have been previously men
toned fourteen are being cared for In private
houses Three arrests were made.
4 few minutes after the shooting in the hotel
frightened patrons and Cubans gathered around
General Greene and asked 4 he would protect
them IL ass lred them thai he believed they
we're safe but the only reco gnizei authority in
Havana was the Spanish executive. He then
sen; Captain cole ani Lieutenant Stevens TO
General Castel.anos 20 inquire what vas being
done to preserve order TIE latter replied tina;
the CATS had been ordered closed and the streets
cleared while troops in sufficient numbers 70
keep the peace had been posted In the squares
ana thor0ughfares Two q the aids q General
Cas.e,.anos called upon General Greene and gave
him further personal assurances
Teiep hone messages describing the occurrence
were sent % General Wade in Ei Vedado. and
General Greene sent message 70 Washington
giving a brief statement ~ the facts. What
vas taking place In the city was unknown on
the American warships and transports IN the
harhor nor did the news reach them until this
morning.