The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-12-21

called out without previous warning, marched on board a transport and headed for home, before thass realized what was going on. The censored press announced: "The different bat talions which constitute the garrison of Havana will this morning be de- filed" but what that meant the rank and file had no idea. Soon as revielle sounded the Saragossa battalion began to move closely followed by detach- ments from the Barcelona, the Malac- ca and others, the Guardia Civil and Orden Publicos among the rest. Down , the beautiful Prado they marched, flags flying and bands playing; then along Obispo street to the Caballeria wharf, where, somehow, those to be deported got separated from the rest and their evolutions led them over a gang-plank into waiting tugs; and thence into a transport whose steam was up, all ready to start on the long journey across the ocean. Taken completely by surprise, the Publicos went meelSly as lambs; but the dullest could see that an eleventh hour revolt would be use less. The other battalions under or ! ders were massed close. around, and it was noticed that a Spanish gunboat, which should have been lying out in the harbor, had been brought up near the wharf, her guns mounted and decks cleared for action. Next day Havana s censored newspapers gave pleasant account of the affair. They described it as function presided over by General Arolas, supreme commander of | the garrison of Havana, assisted by other troops, to do honor to their de- parting comrades; they said that the wharf rung with shouts of 'sViva la Espana," (which not an American present heard), and that the goodbye were most cordial. The truth is that | the poor fellows were departed as a punishment, being on the eve of rebel lion, and many believe that their desti- nation is one of thise terrible penal set | dement's of Africa. The Guardia Civ | lies went next, so closely guarded and surrounded by other troops that any other troops that any hostile demon- stration on their part was impossible.
 This sudden removal of the police force, such as it was, renders life and property less secure than ever in the Cuban capital. The lawless element are enjoying a carnival of crime ir which murders and robbery are of | hourly occurrence. Not only is it un- safe to walk the city streets after nightfall, but peaceful citizens are not secure within their own casas Though an entrance may not be easily affected through grated windows or thick, heavily barred doors, anybody can scale the low, flat walls; and wher a burglar has dropped down into the unroofed. central patio,- with which al the rooms communicate, the premises are practically at his mercy. High. waymen have grown so bold that work | ing-people, known to draw a salary dare not go hoe singly on pay-days even in broad daylight A bevy ot I girls employed in a tobacco-factory were held up in body last Saturday afternoon and compelled to hand oyer the weeks small wages. The street car running to Jesus del Monte and tht ;, Cerro, the suburbs in which Miss Bar tons orphanage is established, near the Red Cross headquarters where I liveC last spring, has been stopped by knights of the road twice within a weel etAiNi shC PoooCi2ClS lOlttu lO SIdIlt and deliver" Our home was barely mile from the heart of the city; bu now to go out there alone, on foot or 1T a carriage, would be to certainly fal among thieves-or worse.
 I The intense, long continued politica
 animosities between Cuba fibre" ant 'Madre Espana" lead to murders in numerable now that restraint is re moved. Prominent citizens and other known to have been ardent in the caus
 of freedom suddenly disappear, some times going the distance of block, ant are heard of no more; and it is darkl, whispered that blood -curdling trage
 dies are nightly enacted in the Caba mas and other prisons. Such was tn
 case of Senor Beatto, a wealthy con tractor of Metanzas, who was recent, summoned by Blanco to Havana. H, came with his family, and was nex day arrested on some vague charge never definitely stated and it has sine leaked out that he was murdered i, prison, in the most diabolcally crue manner. Thus are the departing Span iards improving their last hours i, Cuba and making hay while the SUI shines in the way of settling olt grudges.
 Fannie Brigham Ward