The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-03-24
A RIOT IN HAVANA.
A Serious Conflict Occurs Between
the Police and the People.
oilers STEAL RATHER THAN STARyE
several Discharged Cubans nom Public
Works NJ santiago Take to iSrigand-
age-Spain WiII Not Re udiate
the Cuban Debt.

Havana, March 20 A serious con-
flict between the police and the people
of Havana Saturday night resulted in
much shooting and clubbing From
30 to 80 people were wounded, some
seriously. Among the injured is Police
Captain Estampes, formerly colonel
in the Cuban army. Shortly before
nine o'clock it was reported that an
other conflict between the people and
the police had taken place Sunday
evening in the outskirts OF Havana
and that two policemen and several
civilians, all wounded, were conveyed
to police headquarters 1t was assert
ed also that two policemen were killed
and that the reserves had been called
out. There was also rumor that
policeman was stabbed to death in the
afternoon.
Ever since the police interference,
about a week ago. with the demonstra-
tion in honor of Gen. Maxine Gomez,
the police have been unpopular with
the populace, who jeer them and de-
clare them insufficient. Certain news
papers let no opportunity escape to
criticise the force, denouncing the ar
rests as unfair, and charging the police
with "trampling upon the rights of
free people" The police are virtually
in the position of men who have to
make the people fear them in order to
| secure obedience, as they have no re-
cord to fall back upon for example.
Saturday nights trouble occurred at
public mulatto ball in San Jose
street, an unsavory quarter of Havana.
Many Cuban officers, colonies and cap
tains among them, attended the affair.
A policeman on duty in that street,
following orders to prevent a crowd
collecting in front of the building
where the ball was in progress, asked
n group of men to go in or dispense.
| His request was unheeded, and, after
repeating it, he was attacked by the
group, whereupon many men issued
from the building, set upon him, took
away his club and revolver and
handled him roughly. The policeman
Immediately notified headquarters and
20 reserves were ordered to the scene
of trouble. The crowd had prepared
for their arrival. 1t is said they
opened with revolver fire upon the
police, which the latter returned, the
shooting being kept up until the am
munition was exhausted.
Public opinion respecting the police
is conflicting. Some sustain them and
others charge them with interfering
with the rights of the people. AS the
facts become known, however, opinion
is increasing in favor of the force. 1t
is reported on good authority that
many were wounded who withdrew
hastily because unwilling to have II
known that they were present Amer
lean troops were called to the scene
when the trouble was over and numer-
GUS arrests followed,
OILERS STEAL RATHER THAN srARvE.
Santiago, March 20-There have
been several cases of brigandage dur.
ing the last few days in the neighbor.
hood of San Luis and thus far none OF
the bandits have been captured
though many of them are known tc
have been working on the roads last
month. AS the March estimates have
not yet been approved from Havana
there has been a reduction in the mum
Der employed in that way, and those
discharged steal rather than starve
Only $40, 900 is allowed for neigh Dor
hood demanding 100000, and until
his estimate is approved Gen. Wood
will be unable TO carry out tho
: projected improvements, as there IL
; virtually only next month left before
the setting in of the rainy season.
SPAIN WILL PAY THE CUBAN DEBT.
: London, March 90 The Madrid cor
respondent of the Standard says a.