The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-21
NEWSY LETTER FROM HAVANA
fnY A. M. RAREsHIpE.l


past Havana has reveled In the delights
passed without its shooting ARRAYS. This
occurs In city in which the majority OF
the people are DESTROYS OF peace and
chance to pursue their business unmolested
and without being shocked by continual
deeds OF violence. There should be some
way to stop this unnatural state OF things;
surely, these disorders can be stopped In
some way. If they keep on. why pretty
soon they will have to be stopped forclbly.
The present state is insufferabe. Any
American or any citizen here IS liable to
be shot by some nervous. excitable Cuban
policeman any time he happens 10 be walk
Ing along the street.
A very curious thing about the conduct
Of the Cuban policemen in this shooting
business is that they have never shot a
man who was charged with any great
crime. They have only put shots in drungs
and inoffensive passersby. They seem par
ticularly struck on shooting at a man who
Is running away especially on a crowded
thoroughfare although his offense likely
is nothing more than smoking IN a theater
or talking TOO loud in public place.
Tho fact is matter of recorl, that all
the murders that have been committed in
Havana in the past ten weeks have bean
committed by Havana policemen. Another
noticeable thing about these numerous oc-
currence5 of murder are that no one per-
son who has been killed By the Cuban
cop" was found to have been carrying a
pistol or a concealed weapon An Aneri-
can soldier secured a pass and comes in 10
town. OF course he does not strap his
revolver on his side. because he is not al
lowed to do So 4 great many OF them in
dulge too freely and get little boisterous,
but when they think they have been Of
Tended by any one they like TO use their
fists on tho person offending them. The
are che individuals the Cuban policemen
like to shoot but Just let them get an
idea that their opponent has weapon and
they act like the most arrant towards In
the world.
Lieutenant Cassi, who has been incar-
oerated in the Havana jail for some time
on the charge OF shooting Cuban officer,
was married last week in the little jail
chapel. Cassi is native OF Montenegro,
but became an American citizen some
years ago. Upon the breaking out OF the
Spanish-Ameroan war, he enlisted in
Roosevelts Rough Riders, aud was made
chief bugler Of the regiment
It was Bugler Cassi that was by the side
OF brave Captain O'Neal when he fell at
Las Guaslmas aud carried his body off
the field amid a shower Of Mauser bullets.
He was highly recommended by Colonel
Roosevelt for bravery throughout the cam
paign. After the blockade was raised he
came 10 Havana where he secured a posi-
ton as lieutenant on the police force,
Several weeks ago as mentioned in
former letter. a row started In the cafe
of the Hotel Inglaterra between several OF
the Gomez faction and some of the as
sembly" crowd and as usual pistols were
drawn. Cassi happened 10 appear on the
soene, but dressed in citizens clothes and
drawing his gun ordered one Martinez to
put his up, In the melee several dozen
shots were fired. When order was re-
stored, Martinez was found shot through
the groin, from which wound he died the
next day. An American provost guard, '
who rushed ia, was found shot through the
foot and several innocent people also re-
oeived stray bullets. Witnesses who saw
the shooting are unable to say whether
Cassi fired the fatal shot that killed Mar
tinez or not, but nevertheless he has been
In the yiyac ever since without the benefit
of bail.
During his long confinement his sweet
heart was a daily visitor aud a most firm
believer ia his Innocence and even went
several times before General Ludlow
pleading in his behalf She has not yet
been successful, but 70 Is believed that her
husband will socn be set free.
~
After months Of waiting. with sweet air
castle dreams, the glorious army of EEK
pectation" Cuban liberatorsl, composed
mostly of the lowest type OF the African
race in Cuba, are to receive their pro rata
of the 100000 donated by the American
government. The rolls are all ready, and
have been checked and accepted, and all
that remains is for the distribution to COM
mence, which 1t is stated Will begin next
week.
Now. the question arises, what will this
large body OF turned loose warriors do
when they have spent the paltry sum OF
SIS? When they are given their discharge
paper or certificate will also be given
them acknowledging the government III
they ever have one) of Cuba S indebtedness
to each individual of the total length OF
his service. This alone will entail a
prospective debt to the Cuban govern
ways have preference over the welfare or
interests of the country.
Now, the most important question arises
will these men all return to their former
occupations or enter some new one where
by they can maintain an honest llyell-
hood? Conservative people, and those who
are OF have been in position to study this
class OF the Cuban, say that they will not.
Having lived life for four years of brig
andage, robbery, murder and arson. there
has been tnstilled In them the instincts OF
the evil-doer and It will not be long before
Uncle Sam will have to have his soldier
boys chasing through the mountains OF
Cuba.
Last Friday Miss Frances Drake, the well
known American special writer, arrived in
Havana and since then has been busIly
occupied in securing interviews with prom
inent personages, including leading society
people In Cuban circles Miss Drake',
visit to the island is In view of the puhli.
cation of series of articles In the prom.
inent magazines regarding the woman
side OF it, In Cuba. MISS Drake "a MOI
only gifted writer. but an actress OF wei
known repute, having been under the man
agement OF Daniel Frohman and othel
well known managers Miss Drake sneak,
four Inherent languages nuently and 1,
one OF the most interesting conversation.