New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-10
GENERAL PARRON IN A RAGE.
HOW THE AMERICANS GOT INTO MANzAN-
LILO WITHOUT A FIGHT.

HOW THE AMERICANS GOT INTO MANZAN-
LILO WITHOUT A FIGHT
Manzanillo Oct. S.-The Spanish troops expect
10 leave Manzanillo tomorrow, General Par
ron the Spanish commander. will turn the city
over to the Mayor. who will make the official
transfer to Colonel Ray, representing the United
States, on Monday. General Parron paid visit
TO Colonel Ray this morning, and the two Off
GERS exchanged compliments The conversation
touched mainly upon military life in the tropics.
A collision between the Spanish garrison and
Colonel Rays troops yesterday was. 1t appears.
even nearer than then seemed to be the case.
General Parron's orders from Havana were to
resist the Americans 10 the uttermost Addi-
tional rounds had been issued to the troops. and
volunteers wou1 probably have brought the
Spanish force up to 1900, as against fewer than
800 Americans Colonel Ray would certainly
have obeyed his original instructions when tho
hour for closing the cable arrived. and there
would have been only the slightest chance Of
avoiding a fierce engagement. with the odds
largely against the Americans both in numbers
and IN arms Tho Spanards were armed
with Mausers while the Americans have SPRING
fields.
The echoes OF yesterdays excitement have not
died away. Though General Parron, on the sur
face is courteousness and dignity personifed, he
created great scene at the palace after the
incident, striking terror to the hearts Of his
subordinates He cursed in flowing Castan.
completely forgot his dignity. and with the
oaths Of 'longshoreman vowed that the honor
of the Spanish army had suffered a blow. The
Spaniard to blame for it, he declared must die
and that quickly
In his fury he sent for the military com
mander but 1t was found that this officer had
left with the Spanish troops on the Joseita the
night before. Then he sent for the Adjutant
General, and asked him why the Americans had
been let through the city gate. The reply was
disclaimer Of authority, and a suggestion that
the inquiry should be put to the officer who
in charge Of the guard. Then 1t was dis
covered that the officer mad been withdrawn
several days before leaving sergeant in COM
mand. When the sergeant arrived, he declared
that General Parron's orders to permit the
Americans TO pass.
THAT was the mules" shrielxed Parron mot
the soldiers, Away with him to the guard
house,"
The luckless sergeant has been ccurt-mar-
tailed. AT first it was reported that he was to
be shot tomorrow at daybreak. Thereupon
Collector Donaldson and the Rev Mr. thinner
man. as private citizens. called upon General
Parron to entreat him to do what he could for
the unfortunate man. PaIron replied that
he was grateful for the sympathetic feeling dis
played by the Americans in the welfare Of the
Spanish soldier. and promised that. If there was
q conviction, he would inflict the minimum pen
alty-prObably only few days pay. AS the
Spanish rank and file receive pay anyway.
this would be very great infiiction.
The Spaniards had intended taking away the
lantern Of the Cape Cruz lighthouse, with the
appurtenances, claiming the whole as movable
property. but Colonel Ray objected. and the
Spaniards. after being shown a copy Of the
evacuation agreement abandoned their inten-
tiOn.