Evening star., 1898-12-13
Serious Clash Between Cuban and
Spanish Officers Sunday Night.
One OF THE FORMER Is KILLED
Intense Feeling Exists and More
Troub.e is Expected.
SPANISH GUARD INCREASED
specirl From a STAFF Correspondent.

Special From a STAFF Correspondent.
HAVANA, Cuba, via Key West Decem-
Der 2-Havana today is panic-stricken.
Last night affray at the Hotel IngIa-
terra came near resulting in the massacre
OF Innocent guests. The trouble began
shortly before midnight in front of the
Tacon Theater in a dispute between Cuban
and Spanish officers. the claim was made
that a Cuban was not observing Captain
General CaStellanOs order against wearing
insignia of insurgent uniform. Some Cuban
officers started toward the disputants 10
inquire the cause of the trouble shot
was then fired from San Rafael street.
which runs between the Tacon Theater and
the Hotel IngIaterEa. This shot, appar-
emily. was fired in the air. but it seems to
be established that it came from a group
Of Cubans. The TacOn cafe was filed with
Spanish officers. In the Inglaterra cafe
were mostly Americans and Cubans A
large number of Spanish officers also ran
out Of the AlbiSm Theater, which is across
the Parque Central from the TaCon Thea
t"r. Ihey Joined the crowd. which was
pressing toward the Hotel Inglaterra driv-
ing small number Of Cubaus before them
through the cafe and into the corridor of
the hotel.
Up to this time the regular military police
force seems TO have been in control. but it
was quickly augmented ny d COMPANY of
regulars and 10y the officers who mixed in
A squad OF regulars in the FarqUe Central
fired several vOlleyS in all directions and
p Ople blocks away heard the bullets whist
ling through the air.
Two straight fusilades seem to have
been fired at the Hotel Inglaterra. one of
these wouuiinS Lieut.. Col Pene Of the in
surgent forces. and he efterward died
Cafes Quickly Ernptied
The cafes in the neighborhood were all
ON I.1r+
places of refuge from the bullets which
were flying outside. 1t is possible that this
firing in the Parque Central was due TO the
troops losing their heads. In the IngIaterrs
Hotel. however. while there was rnlrcI
VII ShOO, ing. there was evident design
CAPT S0tol"nSO was shot inside the build
il& hE a Ma user rifle. He was attended by
surgeon Davis Of Gen. Grecne's staff
Others were wounded. The Americans were
fortunate in that none of them was hurt bv
cHancr shots. Seine of the Spanfards as
c-UIed To the third story of tho hotel aud
some snotS were rired there They claimed
10 De IN search Of Gen. Greene. to ask his
cooperation The hotel walls bear evidence
OF many shots having been fired.
Ultimately Capt. Cole and Lieut. Stavin
accompanied the Snlnish staff officers 10
where the major in command Of the reglJ-
!arS was stationed, and succeeded in get
!lH% The troops to stop their scattering
IRE Ii was fully an hour before order was
restored
Since then heavy police force Of Spanish
regulars has been maintained No Spanish
soldiers are reported wounded in last
nights engagement.
Today the feeling Is intense. The Span
iSh are anxious for chance at the Cubans
and the Cubans are determined to have re-
yenEe- The Cubans claim that Gen.
Greene should insist on disarming the
Spanish He has no authority 70 take any
such step or TO interfere with Spanish con-
yrpL
CasteIlnnos Not Equal to Crisis
The authorities rciterate their ability to
maintain order, but Captain General Cas-
tel.an0s Is not showing himself equal to
the situation. Trouble is reported today
from ResIa and other places in the sub
Urbs-
The New York and North Carolina rcgi-
n.ents viii not he sent 10 Pinar Del Rio
during the present conditions. The press
censorship prevents sending full news dl-