Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-03-23
RIOTING IN HAVANA.
Police Attempt to Maintain Order and
Are Fired Upon.

Police Attempt to Maintain Order and
Are Fired Upon.
HAVANA. March 20.--A serious
conflict between the police and the
people of Havana last night resulted
in much shooting and clubbing. From
thirty to fifty people were wounded,
some seriously. Among the injured is
Police Captain Estampes, formerly
colonel in the Cuban army.
Ever since the police interference
about week ago with the demonstra-
ton in honor of General Gomez, the
police have been unpopular with the
populace, who jeer at them and de-
clare them inefficient. 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 po-
sition of men who have to make the
people fear them in order to secure
obedience us they have no record to
fall back upon for example.
Last 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 az
fair A policeman on duty in that
street. following orders to prevent
crowd collecting in front of the build
ing where the ball was in progress,
asked a group of men to go in or dis
perse. His request was unheeded and
afte' repeating it he was attacked by
the group, whereupon many men is
sued from the building, set upon him,
took away his club and revolver and
handled him roughly.
The policeman Immediately notified
headquarters, who ordered twenty re-
serves to the scene of the 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 ammunition was exhausted.
The opponents of the police acted with
| determination in the ARRAY.
Many who were in the building
mounted to the roof. which is COM
| paratively low, and fired from that
| point. They were apparently well
| armed and this fact, together with the
resolution with which they fought,
seems to confirm the belief that the
attacking party was mostly made mp
CT Cuban officers, as ordinary civil
| ians would have fled from the reyol-
vers of the police
Many women were wounded. A re-
| port is in circulation this evening that
| two Of the injured civilians have sue
cumbed to their wounds, but this Is
not confirmed. Among those serious
| ly hurt are Policeman Donate AroZl,
Enrique MunoZ and Benigue Vasquez
and Civilians Jose DomingueZ, Etouo
and Galiato, Alberto Alicia and Irene
Roquqe.
Public opinion respecting the police
is conflicting. Some sustain them and
other 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 with
drew hastily because unwilling to have
| 1t known they were present.
American troops were called to the
! scene when the trouble was over and
numerous arrests followed. Police
Captain Estampes, who is well known
in Cuban military circles, is so badly
injured that fears are entertained that
he will not recover.
Police Inspector kaoul Arrange, who
came into notice on the day of the
Gomez demonstration, because of his
attempts to break up the procession,
and who subsequently challenged Gen
eral Allejando Rodriguez, chief of staff
of General Gomez, for having accused
him of clubbing a woman, is credited
with GOODNESS and bravery in his ef-
! forts to restore order.
Numerous permits have been issued
for similar balls this evening including
one for an affair at the same house
and it is feared that there may he
further trouble. Those who ought to
know say that they are really against
the law and that the permits should
be revoked.
Major General Ludlow, military gov
ernor of the Department of Havana,
desires to be relived of his duties, ana
to go to the Philippines. 1t is under
stood that he has applied to the War
department for a transfer and has
strenuously urged that it be made. He
is weary of the details OF city admin
istration.