The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-03
EXCITEMENT IN HAVANA.
THE VOLUNTEERS HAVE 4 GREY
LNCE AND AIR IT

they Hear mat Binnoo Entends to Disarn
hsus-Thrcats TO Revolt Arc Followed by
n Demand Upon Bianeo for an Explanation
-Threus Them . SOP, but Trouble Feared.
HAVANA, March ., via Koy west.-The ex-
element in Havana tonight is intense, and We
are probably on the eve Of an uprising OF tho
Spanish volunteers against Gen. Blanco and
the Colonial Cabinet. The members OF
the Cabinet and their families are panic
stricken. Gen. Blanco has taken strong
military precautions to cope with the revolt IL
It comes, but to-day the attitude Of the volun-
teers was so threatening that he Immediately
became conciliatory In order to prevent i'm
mediate bloodshed.
This exhibition Of weakness on his part will
probably lessen his authority.
At 8 o'clock this afternoon tho Colo
nels and all the principal officers OF the
volunteers met at the Military Circle
and held a stormy meeting. Tho Colonies
had called the meeting to take action
in view Of the statement made in the newspaper.
Cuba, which Is printed in New York in Spanish
and supports the Autonomist policy, that the
Government had It In view to disarm the vol.
unteers.
It was also declared at the meeting that sefor
Gown. q member Of the Colonial Cabinet. was
heartily in favor of the idea, and that Gen.
Blanco was secretly encouraging 1t.
The meeting was very stormy, and violent
speeches were made against the Government,
urging the volunteers to resist any measure do
priving them Of their arms.
After much discussion q committee of Colonies
was appointed to call on Gen. Blanco and do
mand from him an immediate explanation. In
view of the fact that tho volunteer are under
the regular military laws and that Blhnoo In the
COMMUNICATIVE Chief of the Army In time Of war.
the appointment of this committee was In itself
an act of grave and aggressive characterization
The committee went to tho Palace and Gen.
Blaneo refused to receive them. protesting that
he was III. They insisted upon being received
ana sent Q message to the Captain-General
couohed In unfriendly terms.
Gen. Blanco then sent Con. Gonzales Parade.
his second In command, to meet the committee.
The volunteers told Gonzales Parade that they
desired to have an answer from tho Captain
General and allowed him tho copy Of Cuba they
had brought with them.
Gen. Gonzalez Parade returned to Gen.
Blanoo's oflce and had o long talk with him
about the gravity Of the situation. while
the volunteers were waiting outside, In
very bad humor. Then Gonzales Parade
returned to the committee and assured them
that Cuba's statement was Q calumny. spread
abroad by the enemies Of the Government. and
that Gen. Blanco, as we'll as all patriotic
Spaniards in the Government and out Of II.
highly appreciated the patriotism and services
to Spain of the volunteers.
As proof of his sincerity he added that Gen.
Blanco intended to issue orders for the imme.
diate seizure Of all copies In circulation Of the
newspaper Cuba because Of this false and die
quoting report. The order was accordingly
issued this evening.
The committee accepted these assurances and
left the palace. but the volunteers are by nc
means entirely appeased. It 10 certain that
Sefor Gown and Sehores Giberga. Amblard. and
others are working for the disarmament OF this
military body, and that. on account Of this fact
great troubles may arise here at any time.