The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-30

Chicago, Dec pa special cable to
| the Tribune from Havana says:
Startling rrmors are flying about to-
night and are given 1credence by ex-
cited crowds thronging the streets. 1t
was reported early this evening that
General Mariana Menocal and his Gu
ban forces at La Paya had been asked
to take the oath of allegiance to the
United States and had refused.
The news that Cuban soldiers had re-
fused TO take the oath of allegiance
was cheered by the crowd and mounted
insurgents clattered through the town,
telling the people in the street that
General Menocal had withdrawn his
troops from La Paya and had taken to
the field.
This story, regardless of it's truth or
falsity, is chiefly worthy of serious at
tention because of the eagerness with
which it was received by the crowds,
who insisted upon its truth. They justi-
fed General MenocalS reported Sensa-
tional action.
The situation grows out of the refusal
of General Brooke's permit for the par
ticipation of Cuban troops in the eXer-
cises of evacuation day.
tense.
The United States flag was torn down
from many houSesin the lower districts
of the city tonight
Upper class Cubans sent cabegrams
without number to President McKin-
ley today, begging him to interfere.
Cabiegrams have been sent broadcast
over the United States, asking for pub
lie meetings and appealing to the COM
people. The Cuban leaders here are do
ing everything possible to prevent an
outbreak, but they say if General
Brooke'S command is carried out, not
only will they be helpless but they will
think whatever happens to have been
caused by what they consider the arbi-
trary and unjust action of the United
States.
Judge Advocate Charles Gould, of the
American commission, today cabled to
President Mckinley that there is in
tense uneasiness in the situation here
and advising that the Cubans be per-
mitted to participate in the evacuation
ceremonies. Later tonight no word has
been received from the president re-
garding the matter.
The more excitable of the population
of Havana's lower districts are begin
ming to hoot the American soldiers. The
grined and disappointed at the turn af-
fairs have taken. They hardly know
what to say or do. Their plans were to
have / 600 picked men, the flower of the
insurgert army, march into Havana on
Jan. l.
The Cuban soldiers came into camp at
La Payo and Marianao with the under
standing that they are marching to
Havana for evacuation day. They
hOIIobt Oaur uniforms in bonOr of tho
occasion.
The streets of Havana have been
most lavishly decorated. The people
intended to meet the insurgent soldiers
at the outskirts and escort them. with
music and cheering. to the Prado. The
soldiers are the popular ideal of the
people of Havana. The entrance of the
Cuban soldiers into Havana has been
the dream of the people of the unhappy
island for fifty years. During the late
war, Havana has ever been the object
i've point. Now. Spain has been driven
out, but the Cubans must not enter.
The Cubans compromised on the
original plan two days ago. 1t was said
the soldiers might enter on the I'd proX-
imo. Five days rejoicing was planned.
The people of Havana planned a great
feast for the soldiers
General Brooke, who is supposed to
act under instructions from Washing
ton, said this arrangement could not
be carried out.
The developments of the next few
days may mean peace or war between
the United States and Cuba. Havana
citizens say they beg not to be driven
away from the United States
The Second battalion of the Second
Illinois has been ordered to Santa
Clara province, 200 miles from Havana.
Companies G. f, H and E leave early
tomorrow morning for that place, un-
der command of Major Duzenberry.
The Illinois soldiers are to preserve or
der as the Spaniards withdraw. There
has been some rioting in that district.
and the Illinois troops were given hur-
ried orders. One battalion of the For
ty-ninth Iowa is ordered to Cienfuegos.
The patriotic committees are holding
another meeting tonight. Dr. Porto
of the Havana medical board said to
the Associated Press correspondent to-
night:
I'VE have expended more than $4,000
in our arrangements for the celebra-
ton. 1t was very difficult to get this
money, and we keenly feel the injus-
tice of now being told that we cannot
celebrate. Our demonstration would be
quite as much. an American as a Cuban
affair. AS it is, we feel that the United
States military authorities do not trust