The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-10-08
Big BATTLE AVERTBD.
Almost a Fight Between Our Troops
and Spanish at Manzanillo.
COLONEL RAY WAS UNDIsMAYED,

Went to Take Possession of the City,
| According to Orders, and Did Not
Learn of the Change of Date Until
After His Arrival.
| Manzanillo, Cuba, Oct. 8.-Yesterday
will be day long to be remembered
| in the history of Manzanllo. A fight
| was narrowly averted between the
Spanish garrison under Colonel Parron
and the United States troops under
Colonel Ray, who arrived here from
Santiago on Wednesday to take pos
session Of the city.
The arrival of the Americans had
taken the Spanish commander by sur
prise, and he had represented to Colo
mel Ray that he had received word
from General Blanco informing him
that the date for the American occu-
patton had been postponed to Oct 10.
lie requested Colonel Ray to cable
for additional instructions The latter
consented to do so, and sent a dis
patch to General Lawton at Santiago.
AT o'clock yesterday morning Colo
mel Ray, not having heard from Gem
eral LaWton to the contrary, sent word
that. in accordance with his instruc-
tions, he should march his men to the
city from the dock mile away, where
the United States transport Reina de
los Angeles had moved at the request
of Colonel Parron. and would take pos
session of the public buildings in the
name of the United States.
AT o'clock the battalion was in mo-
tion, with colors flying. Colonel Ray
marched toward the city but before
the troops reached the city gate Adju-
tant Collins arrived with Colonel Par
ron's reply. The latter said he had no
objection to surrendering the custom
house at once, provided the American
flag was not raised. Colonel Ray re-
torted that the United States was not |
accustomed to taking possession with
out displaying the insignia of its SOW
erelgnty.
The march was then continued to-
ward the city. When the troops passed
the guard at the gate-a body of 25-
the latter lined up and saluted. The
report soon spread through the city
that the Americans had arrived with
colors flying. and the streets We're soon
thronged by apparently the whole
population, men, women and children
turning out by thousands as the regi-
ment marched toward the principal
square, where it halted.
At this point Spanish bugler sound
ed the call to arms, and the Spanish
garrison turned out to the number of
600 men on the other side of the square.
Colonel Ray visited Colonel Parron at |
the palace. and a somewhat stormy in
terview took place between- them, with
the aid of an Interpreter. The Spanish |
commander said he had understood
from Colonel Ray that matters were
to remain over until Oct. 10. and that
he considered himself tricked. Colonel
Ray explained that he had never said
anything Of the sort, that his instruc-
tions were to take possession of the
city on Oct. 7. that he had cabled for
further instructions, and, not having
received any. that he had proceeded
to act upon his original orders
Thereupon Colonel Parron said the
American troops must be removed at
once. Colonel Ray refused. Colonel
Parron declared he would use force.
Colonel Ray answered: IF you wish
to precipitate further hostilties with
lHt pIllltu oldltS dIll uUdUlC " pre- |
vent it. But SO far as am concerned
have certain orders which, as SOL
1ier, l am bound to carry out. I ap-
oreciate the position In which you find
but am unable to help you. ,
II the United States troops are fired
Ipon l believe the men who are with !
ne are quite able to take care of them
elves. even though little outnumber- 1
d, and although I am opposed to use ]
ess waste of life shall face the issue
n any way it suits you"
Colonel Parron said he would im- {
nediately order the arrest Of the Of
cer who allowed the American troops {
o pass the city gate. ,
Colonel Ray retorted: "If he had re- {
used I should have been under the I
unpleasant necessity of shooting him |
nd then forcing an entrance" +
After considerable discussion and
lany requests on the part of Colonel /;
aaron that Colonel Ray should take
is men out OF the city until General
lanco could be communicated with, it 1,
as decided not to take action until
ne cable office had closed at o'clock n
the afternoon. 81
On leaving the palace the two colo- Y
els walked to the square, where they
rrived just in time to prevent a col
sion between their forces. 1t appears
lat some Spanish officer, who had mis- NJ
ndersoOd an order from Colonel Par th
IN, had just notified the American II
oops that they must leave immedi- IN
tely. Captain Frost, in command pc
!ring Colonel Rays absence, refused ~
comply, whereupon he was told that wv
.e blood of his men would be upon Tn
eir own heads. sb
AT this moment Colonel Ray came up, IN
Id Captain Frost repeated the occur fol
nee. Colonel Parron promptly or
red his over Jealous subordinate
way.
Some time before the cable closed Az
,lonel Ray received dispatch from tio
neral Wade explaining that the COM hc
ander of the Spanish troops at Man. NJ,
Milo had requested a delay until on
t. 10, and that the formal evacuation toe
IS, therefore, postponed. Jni
rho United States troops remained in ste
e barracks last night by permission
Colonel ParrOn, and today withdrew
I'm the city, to return again on Mon ~
y. toI