The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-08
COL. RAYS ARRIVAL
How He Was Received by the Span
fsh Commander.


fsh Commander.
MANZANILLO, Province of Santiago de
Cuba. Oct. 6 delayed in Transmission.)-
one battalion of Colonel Rays Third i'm
munes arrived last night at Calicito en-
route for Manzanillo. Calicito is small
port belonging to the Cubans and sur
rounded by sugar plantations. a few miles
south of Manzanillo. The troops were re-
ceived with enthusiastic cheers by the in
surgents who are apparently fat and
hearty The insurgent major in command
promptly called upon Colonel Ray and re-
ported conditions that are notably better
than those prevailing in most other portions
Of the province. He said he had on hand
quantity of corn and vegetables.
This morning the battalion reached Man
zanillo. to the evident establishment OF the
Spanish authorities, who claimed that they
had not expected the United States troops
for another five days. Colonel Ray, accom-
named by Collector Donaldson, of Santiago,
and an interpreter, visited Colonel Parron,
in command of the local garrison. number
ing nine hundred. He informed Colonel
Parron that he had arrived to take charge
of the government buildings and to assume
military command of the city. in accordance
with the agreement reached between the
United States and Spanish evacuation COM
missioners at Havana. Colonel ParEon, who
was exceedingly courteous, welcomed the
American officer. said he had received
telegraphic communication from General
Blanco informing him that the date for the
American occupation had been changed to
Oct. 10 and requested Colonel Ray to cable
General Lawton at Santiago for further in
structions.
Colonel Ray offered to take over the Gus
toms house and to allow the other buildings
to await formal surrender until next
Tuesday. Colonel Parron objected to this,
saying that all or none should be delivered.
1t was finally arranged that both command
ers should telegraph their superiors. but If
Colonel Ray does not receive reply by to-
morrow he will carry out his original Or
ders.
The next question that arose was regard
ing the landing of troops. Colonel Parron
wanted Colonel Ray to pitch his camp two
miles off for fear of clash. Colonel Ray
objected to this, saying they wanted his
men in the city, and, moreover. to have
them on land tomorrow, in order that they
might get cooked provisions. and pledged
that there would be no clash as far as his
men were concerned. Colonel Parron re-
piled that he also could answer for his own
garrison, but he feared the Cuban element.
The Spanish commander courteously Of
fered Colonel Ray half his commissariat
supplies If necessary. Colonel Ray then
thanked him for the offer. but declined to
take advantage of it. The United States
troops will land tomorrow, though the
point for landing had not been decided
upon when this dispatch was filed. Colonel
Ray will Immediately begin the work of
inaugurating American institutions here.
Mr.. Donaldson is ready to begin the collec-
tion of customs. Most of the local officials
will be continued temporarily. Most of the
Inhabitants of Manzanillo look healthy.
Many people are arriving from various
parts of the richest section of the island.
When the Reina de los Angeles was dock
ling the crowds poured from all directions to
see the first American troops ever in view at
Nanzanillo. There were no cheers. but
neither was there any antagonistic display.
There was one amusing incident connected
with the docking. The captain of the port
called upon Colonel Ray to produce a bill
of health. The American officer replied that
he represented everybody on board himself
and would De personally answerable for all.
Last night the Spanish gunboat Cuba Es-
pamela was set on fire presumably under
orders from Havana. She was of no great
value. She ran ashore when chased by the
United States cruiser Marblehead and was
never hauled off, though she might have
been.
The lamp in the lighthouse at Cape Cruze,
which was extinguished early in the war,
will be relit forthwith.