The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-06-23
A BULLET FOR BLANCO.
The Captain General Shot by a
Cuban Patriot.
The Attempted Assassination Arouses In
tense Excitement at Havana.

Cuban Junta here has report from
Havana of the attempted assassina-
tlon OF Captain General Blanco by
Mariana Saliva, young member of
the volunteer army, and of a condi-
tion OF affairs in the Cuban capital
almost Bordering on revolution, as a
consequence.
The volunteers, according to this
report, parade the streets, unofficered,
crying Viva Weyler; down with
FiifsSs u The. Autonomists are leav-
ing as rapidly as possible, and Gen
eral Blanco, wounded as he is, holds
daily conferences with the COM
manders of the volunteers, who are
apparently powerless to bring about
a more peaceful state of affairs.
The attempted killing of the Span
ish general took place as he was leav-
ing the palace, when about to accom-
pany some of the officers of his staff
to inspect the earthworks on the out
skirts of the city. Saliva, the young
Cuban who sent a rife bullet into
General Blanco's left leg, above the
thigh, is member of the volunteer
guard on duty around the palace.
His younger brother was also a vol
unteer, and was recently arrested on
charge of conspiring with the enc
mics of Spain against the established
government.
Young Saliva was thrown into prison
and recently was tried before court
martial and condemned to death. His
brother made every effort to save
him, and number of appeals were
made to General Blanco for clemencv,
but without avail
When the findings of the Spanish
courtmartial were laid before him he
unhesitatingly approved them, and
the young volunteer was executed.
There was considerable discomfort
among the volunteers at that time.
but no open outbreak.
Saliva waited until the time General
Blanco usually came out in the after,
noon one day and then took his posi-.
| tion on the outer steps of the palace,
short distance from a platoon OF
volunteers also on guard and awaited
He had not been there long when
the doors were thrown open and Gen.
eral Blanco, surrounded by several
officers, with whom he was talking,
came out. As he stepped out the
young soldier moved forward pace
and raised his rifle, as if to salute.
Instead of doing so, however, he
quickly brought the weapon to his
shoulder, and before those near him
could spring forward had sent bullet
into the group. His aim, badly taken
was effective, and Gen. Blanco, with
an exclamation of pain, sank down
The utmost confusion reigned for g
| few minutes until the nature of the
wound was discovered, and the Gov
ernor was taken indoors again.
Saliva made no effort to repeat the
shot nor to escape. His comrades helC
aloof from him for moment, but wher
one of the officers who had come from
| the Palace with Gen. Blanco rushed al
him with drawn sword and evident
| determination to take summary ven
| geance, the other volunteers quickly
surrounded him and warded off the
strokes of the sword
Saliva made even no efforts to avoit
the sword thrusts. Il have avenged
the death of my brother" he said
''and that is all had to live for"
AS soon as Gen. Blanco had been re
moved Saliva was arrested and was
thrown into Moro Castle, where he
still is, awaiting death.
The news of the attempted assassi
nation spread rapidly over the city
and long before nightfall it's inhabi
tants were in a state of uproar. The
volunteers sympathizing with theil
dead comrade and his imprisoned
brother, fomented the confusion, par
aiding the streets, shouting 'Dowr
with Blanco; long live Weyler," and
shouting loudly for the recall of the
latter to Havana.
Gen. Blanco realizing the serious
ness of the condition which confronted
him, called Immediately war council
of his own officers and the command
ing officers of the volunteers.
Appeals were made to the patriotism
of the people, the difficulties which
beset the mother country were recited
and the volunteer officers were urged
to use their influence in every way to
stem the rising tide of hatred against
Blanco and calm and pacify their sub.
ordinates.