The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-08
Latter Did Not Want to Evacuate Yes-
terday the Ground that the
Date Had Been Changed.
COLONEL RAY NOT NOTIFIED
AND INSISTED ON TAKING POSSESS
SION OF THE CUSTOM HOUSE.
Message from Gen. Wade Finally Re-
Oct. 10 Had Been Agreed On.


MANZANILLO, Province of Santiago de
Cuba, Oct. This will be a day long to be
remembered in the history of Manzaniio
A fight was narrowly averted between the
Spanish garrison, under Colonel Parron.
and the United States troops under Col.
Ray, who have arrived here from Santiago
to take possession of the city. The arrival
of Americans had taken the Spanish COM
mander by surprise and he had represented
to Colonel Ray that he had received word
from General Blanco informing him that
the date for American occupation had been
postponed to Oct. 10. He requested Colonel
Ray to cable for additional instructions.
The latter consented to do so and sent q
dispatch to General Lawton at Santiago.
At o'clock this morning Colonel Ray.
not having heard from General Lawton to
the contrary, sent word by Adjutant Col
lins to Colonel Parron that, in accordance
with his instructions. 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 possession
of the public buildings in the name of the
United States.
At O'Clock the battalion was in motion,
with colors flying. Colonel Ray marched
toward the city, but before the troops
reached the city gate Adjutant Collins ar
rived with Colonel Parron's reply. The lat
ter said he had no objection to surrendering
the custom house at once, provided the
American flag not raised. Colonel Ray
retorted that the United States was not ac-
customed to taking possession without dis
playing the insignia of its sovereignty The
march was then continued toward the city.
When the troops passed the guard at the
gate-a body of twenty-five-the latter lined
up and saluted. The report soon spread
that the Americans had arrived with colors
flying and the streets were soon thronged
by apparently the whole population men,
women and children turning out by thou
sands as the regiment marched toward the
principal square. where it halted.
A CALL TO ARMS.
AT this point Spanish bugler sounded the
call to arms and the Spanish garrison turned
out to the number of 500 men on the other
SHE of the square Colonel Ray visited Col.
Parron at the palace and a somewhat
stormy interview took place between them
with the aid of an interpreter. The Span
ish 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
the city on Oct. z, that he had cabled for
further instructions, and, not having re-
ceived any, that he had proceeded to act
upon his original orders
Thereupon Colonel Parron said the Ameri-
can troops must be removed at once. Col
Ray refused. Colonel Parron declared he
would use force. Col Ray answered. IF
you wish to precptate further hostilties
with the United States am unable to pre-
vent ii. But far / am concerned I
have certain orders which, as a soldier. /
am bound to carry out 1 appreciate the
position in which you find yourself but am
unable to help you. If the United States
troops are fired upon, / believe the men
who are with me are quite able to take
care Of themselves, even though little OUT
numbered, and although / am opposed to a
useless waste of life, shall face the issue
in any way it suits you
Colonel Parron said he would Immediately
order the arrest of the officers who allowed
the American troops to pass the city gate.
Colonel Ray retorted: IF he had refused
/ should have been under the unpleasant
necessity of shooting him and then forcing
an entrance"
RAY DECIDED TO WAIT.
After considerable discussion, with many
requests on the part of Colonel Parron that
Colonel Ray should take his men out of the
city until General Blanco could be COM
municated with, it was decided not to take
action until the cable Office had closed, at
6 o'clock this afternoon, Colonel Ray as
serting that II al that time no further In
structions had been received he would take
action Immediately before nightfalI In the
meantime the United States troops were 10
be marched up to the barracks, which the
Epaniards left last night on departing for
Cienfuegos, Colonel Ray consentng TO en-
case the colors out of Difference to Colonel
Parron's fear that the sight OF the Amer
lean flag might excite the Spanish element
beyond restraint and so provoke some overt
act leading TO bloodshed.
On leaving the palace the two colonies
walked to the square. where they arrived
just in time to prevent collision between
their troops. 1t appears that the Spanish
officer. who had misunderstood an order
from Colonel Parron. had just notified the
American troops that they must leave inn
mediately. Captain Frost IN command dur
ing Colonel Rays absence. refused to COM
ply. whereupon he was told that the blood
of his men would lie upon their own heads.
At this moment Colonel Ray came up ana
Captain Frost reported the occurrence. Col.
Parron promptly ordered his overzealous
subordinate away, then began the march Of
a mile 10 the barracks through the crowded
streets, most OF the onlookers being evil
IDENTIFY pro-Spanish judging from their
scrowling locks and uncomplImentary re-
marks. The march led around the square.
A. the Americans passed the Spanish gar
rlson tho latter presented arms. The har-