The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-07
TROUBLE AT HAVANA
RIOTS PROBABLE IE THE vOLUN-
TEERS ARE DIsBANDED.
Capital of Cuba Menaced with Graver
Dangers than an Attack.
by Insurgents.

HAVANA, via Key West, Fla. March g.
Of the very keenest interest to Havana is
the question of disbanding and disarming
the volunteers These soldiers, whom no
one trusts, are in a state of great unrest.
The colonels of three battalions have tried
to see General Blanco on the subject, but
he made excuses which they refused to ac-
cept or believe. Finally General Farrado
sent letter saying that no government
would dare disarm the volunteers, which
was re-enforced by cable message to the
same effect from Senior Moret, minister of
the colonies, at Madrid. The volunteers,
however, noting the strength of the Radical
wing Of the autonomists, and knowing that
its members are hostile to the volunteers,
are doubtful Of all professions. The officers
Of the volunteers believe that the Sagasta
Cabinet IS in favor of disbanding their
corps, matter what is said to the con-
trary. The colonial government is anxious
not only about the possible action of the
volunteers, but as to what side the unpaid,
badly-fed Spanish troops will taken AS
result there is general disquietude, not WIS.,
ible to IAN observer, perhaps, but very real
for all that.
The danger apprehended is demonstra-
tion against autonomy and General Blanco
ny the W0Ou IL WOulQ De
possible to control when excited and re-
inforced by mob from the slums and who
might dc incalculable damage to life and
property and to the prospects of peace with
the United States. 1t is claimed also that
the volunteers and the regular forces are
most to be feared by noncombatants in an
hour of defeat, as has been shown prior to
and during the present insurrection. The
situation has been acute for some time.
General Blanco and General Parade con-
tinue their denials that the government has
any intention of disarming the volunteers
and the Radical wing of the autonomists is
thus far regarded as defeated, since dis
arming is the principal plank of their plat
form.
The autonomist government has asked the
opinion of commercial houses here with ref
erence to the postponement of collections on
mortgages until the war is over and d
chance has been given to produce something
on the property. The majority of replies are
in favor of such an arrangement Foreign
creditors especially the English, protest
&Aat they should not come under the same
head with the resident creditors, but that
their debts should be collected. Senior Co
vim favors the postponement Of collections.
Millions of dollars are involved, and there
is great interest in the decision of the ques-
tion.
1t is reported that General Lahore will
succeed the late Gen. Vidal Ducassi as in
surgent commander in the province of Pinar
del Rio. Ell Diaro yesterday reported an
engagement with General Gomez in the dis
trict of Sancti Spiritus, near La Riforma,
in which 1t is said sixteen were killed.
Juan Ramirez, an old chief Of the ten years
war, is with General Pando. in the east of
tine island, trying to secure the surrender
of the insurgent general, Salvador Rios, and
Leader Capote. thus far with no success.