The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-30
THE FEELING IS INTENSE
Gen. Brooke's Despotic Actions
Will Cause Serious Breach.
M'KlNLEY URGED TO INTERFERE
Cubans ImpIore Him to Give Them
Justice.
AMERICAN SOLDIERS HooTED
Cubans Bitterly Chagrined and Disap-
pointed at the Turn Affairs Have
Taken, and the Outlook is
Anything But Peaceful.
AMERICAN SOLDIERS HoOTED

Chicago, December ga special cable to
the Tribune from Havana says:
Startling rumors are flying about tonight
and are given credence by excited crowds
thronging the streets. 1t was reported early
this evening that General Marianao Memo
cal and his Cuban forces at La Paya had
been asked to take the oath of allegiance
to the United States and had refused.
The news that Cuban soldiers had re-
fused to take the oath of allegiance was
cheered by the crowd and mounted insur-
gents clattered through the town, telling
the people in the streets that General Men
ocal had withdrawn his troops from La
Paya and had taken them to the field.
This story, regardless of it's truth or
falss v, is chiefly worthy of serious atten-
tion bseause of the eagerness with which 1t
was received by the crowd, who insisted
upon its truth. They justified General Men
ocaPs sensational action.
The situation grows out of the refusal of
General Brookes permit for the particpa-
ton of Cuban troops in the exercises on
evacuation day.
The Feeling Intense
The United States flag was torn down
from many houses in the lower districts of
the city tonight.
Upper class Cubans sent kilograms with
out number to President Mckinley today
begging him to interfere. Cablegrams have
been sent broadcast over the United States
asking for public meetings and appealing
to the common sense and justice of the
American people.
The Cuban leaders here are doing every
thing possible to prevent an outburst, but
say that if General Brooke's command is
carried out not only will they be helpless.
but they think whatever happens to have
been caused by what they consider the
arbitrary and unjust action of the United
States.
Judge Advocate Charles Gould of the
American military commission, today ca
bled President Mckinley that there is in
tense uneasiness in the situation here, and
advising that the Cubans be permitted to
participate in the evacuation ceremonies.
Late tonight no word had been received
from the president regarding the matter.
Our Soldiers Hooted
The more excitable of the population of
Havana's lower district are hootng the
American soldiers The Cubans Bit
terly chagrined and disappointed at the
turn affairs have taken. They hardly
know what to say or do. Their plans were
to have 1000 picked men, the flower of the
insurgent army march into Havana jan
uary /. The Cuban soldiers came into
camp at La Paya and Marianao with the
understanding that they were marching to
Havana for evacuation day. They bought
new uniforms in honor of the occasion.
The streets Of Havana have been most
lavishly decorated. The people intended to
meet the insurgent soldiers at the outskirts
and escort them with music and cheering
to the Prado. The soldiers are the popular
idols of the people of Havana. The en-
. trance of the Cuban soldiers into Havana
has been the dream of the people of the
unhappy lSlanu Ior HIty years. during the
late war Havana has ever been the objec-
tive point. Now Spain has been driven out,
but the Cuban soldier must not enter.
The Cubans compromised on the original
plans two days ago. 1t was said the SOL
diers might enter on the I'd proximo. Five
days of rejoicing was planned. The people
of Havana planned great feast for the
soldiers.
Gen. Brooke. who is supposed to act un-
der instructions from Washington, SAID this
arrangement could not be carried out.
The developments of the next few days
may mean peace or war between the Unit
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