Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-17
IN 4 HOSTILE CROWD.
General Lee and Captain Sigsbee at
the Habnna Bull-Eight.
Correspondence Washington starr

Correspondence Washington Starr
HABANA. February "A les toros"
c'To the bull-fghtrD In Hahana last
Sunday l was Fastening with the crowd
TO the bull-fight, when | noticed Consul
General Lee, Captain SigSbee, OF the
Maine and others going in the same Ill
rection. Being only an obscure American
citizen, with some curiosity, j decided 10
follow as close TO the official party as
possible. and see what happened; for l
considered il exceedingly risky for the
officers OF the Maine to go TO the bull
fight at all. Every Spanish revolution
has begun i'm a bullhing. The people
would be crazy with excitement and IL
but one man should shout. Down VITA
the Americans the whole immense
crowd might attack them in an instant.
The Consul General and the Maine 3
commander seemed TO have no sucn
fears. however, and walked on toward
the bull-ring. only stopping a moment To
read a printed circular which was freely
distributed among the crowd. The circu~
lar was most threatening in its language.
| give 1t verbatim:
SPANIARDSl
Long Live Spain with Honor!
What are We doing that ye allow your
selves to be insuted in this way? DO we
not see what they have done TO us III
withdrawing our brave and beloved Wey-
Ter, who at this very time would nave
finished with this unworthy, reDellous
rabble. who are tramping on our nag ana
on our honor?
Autonomy is imposed on us to cast US
to one side, and 10 give posts OF honor
and authority TO those who initiated this
rebellion these ill-bOrn autOnOmistS, UNI
grateful sons OF our beloved country.
And. finally, those Yankee dogs who
NEEDLE in our affairs humiliating us TO
the last degree and. for still greater
taunt. order TO us one Of the ships OF
war OF their rotten squadron, after in
sulting us In their newspapers from our
home.
Spanards, the moment Of action has ar
rived Sleep not.t Let US show these
vile traitors that I'VE have not yet lost
shame and that we know how TO protest
with the energy BETTING a nation worthy
and strong as our Spain Is and always
will be. Death to the Americans! Pedth
to autonomy Long i've spain. LonS
live Weylerl
Some Of the party seemed to hesitate
after this. but Captain Slgsbee decided
70 go on / fancied that he wished 10
test the Spanish feeling toward him. and
also TO assert his right 10 go where OF
ficers of other natiOnalities could go. On
arriving at the bull ring the Maine
marty went at once to their box, tickets
for which had been presented them, 4
learned. by General Parade. NO; -
was the number, which TO supersttious
minds might have been reason enough Tor
declining IT, The Captain-Generaf box
was beautifully draped; just below Il Is
the bright red fence which separates the
ring from the aisle In which the nghters
NAV retreat The usual crowd or men
and gavly-dressed women and children
filed the tiers of seats. Fans waved IN
every direction for IL was warm, ana
dark-eyed Spanish beauties chatted
laughed. and appauded with delight the
cruel skill of some fayorite matador'
POLITE. BUT THREATENING
NaporaI pa rrado hoWpd 10 General Lee
and Captain Sigsbee as they entered, but
seemed nervous. / thought, and fearful
of some trouble. L could see looks or
hate on the faces of the Spanish oncers
as they glanced over az the American
box. Just below were a number OF armed
Spanish soldiers, besides many more
sprinkled about among the spectators;
The atmosphere seemed volcanic, And
saw that General Lee realized II. The
party was hardly seated when tue second
long. spreading horns, and violently ag-
gressiye from the start to the final Kill
ing.
The colors OF the gay costumes and the
feats Of skill shown are pleasing enough
at first but 10 any one but Spaniard the
sight OF those poor, miserable horses Is
distressing and brutally cruel
/ saw the Spanish women eye those in
Box u through their glasses. The Amerl-
can marty were about 10 leave. wisely
excited crowd could inclose them. They
walked out quietly. and followed az
some distance behind. anxious 10 know OF
their safety -Four Of the party We're In
time for the ferry-bOat but Consul-Gcne-
raj Lee and Captain Sigsbee Just missed
II. The next ferry-bOat would DC packed
with the peOple from the bull-nght.
Fortunately, saii-bOat was seen APP
preaching Just in the nick OF time. Tue
two gentlemen were soon taken across
the blue water to the Maine, which. 10
my eyes, looked more formidable imam
ever.
1 waited on shore awhile. and found
myself I'm the next ferry-boat IN the midst
OF the bull-rlng crowd. Expressions or
contempt and derision Of the Yankees
passed freely from mouth 20 mouth. AS
the boat passed by the Maine the crowd
cried VIVA Espangar amid whistles,
shouts. and yeils. captain Sigsbee and
Consul General Lee. standing. AT on the
poop OF the man-of-war, calmly looked
al the crowd, doubtless feeling glad TO
be out OF II. Afterward. al the club,
heard that when General Lee ie1t the
Maine he preferred TO take private boat
and land at a rather unusual place.
The genial Nirginan Is pluekys 70 the
backbone but he probably thought discre-
ton and good judgment the oest guides In
this case. as In others,
Work Fatal.