The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-20

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HAVANA. March 19.-A serious con-
flict between the police and people Of
Havana last night resulted In much
shooting and clubbing and the wound
ing Of from thirty to fifty people, some
seriously. Police Captain Estampes.
formerly a colonel in the Cuban army,
was wounded. R
Ever since the police interference
about week abo with the demonstra-
tlon in honor OF General Maxine Co.
mez. the police have been unpopular
with the populace, who jeer at them
and declare them inefficient Certain
newspapers let no opportunity escape to
criticlse the force, denouncing the ar
rests as unfair and charging the police
with "trampllng upon the rights Of q
free people,"
The police are virtually In the posi-
tion Of men who have to make the peo-
pie fear them In order to secure obedl-
ence rs they have no record to fall back
upon for example. X
Last night trouble occurred ut pub
lie mulatto ball In San Jose street, an
unsayory quarter Of Havana. Many
Cuban officers. colonies and captains.
among them, attended the affair. A
policeman on duty In that street follow
ing orders to prevent collecting In trout
OF the building In which the bs.li was In
progress. asked q group Of men to dis
perse. After repeating It he was at
tackled 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, who ordered twenty re-
crowd had prepared for their arrival.
Mob Begins the Attack.
1t Is said they opened with revolver
fire upon the police. which the latter re-
turned, the shooting being kept up until
the ammunition was exhausted. The
opponents of the police acted with de-
termination In the ARRAY. Many who
were In the building, mounted the roof
which is comparatively low, and fired
upon the police from that point. They
were apparently we'll armed and this
fact, together with the resolution with
which they fought, seems to confirm the
9belief that the attacking party was
mostly made up Of Cuban officers. as
ordinary civilians would have fled from
the revolvers OF the policemen.
Many women were injured. A report
Is In circulation this evening that two
OF the injured civilians have succumbed
to their wounds. but this is not con-
iirmed.
Among those seriously hurt are Po-
liceman Donate Arozc, Enrique Monez
and Benigue Vasquez. and civilians
Jose Domlnguez. Etouo GalIano. Al
berto Alejo and Irene Rogue.
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 It
known that they were present.
American Troops Called On.
American troops were called TO the
scene when the trouble was over and
numerous arrests followed. Police Cap
tain Estampcs, who is well known in
Cuban circles, Is 80 badly injured. that
fears are entertained that he will not
recover. Police Inspector Raoul Aran-
go, who came into notice on the day OF
the Gomez demonstration because of his
attempts to break up the procession,
and who subsequently challenged Gem
eral Alexandra Rodriguez. chief of staff
OF General Gomez. for having accused
him Of clubbing woman. is credited
with bravery and GOODNESS In his efforts
to restore order.
Numerous permits have been issued
for similar bnlls this evening" including
one for an affair ut the same house, and
1t Is feared that there may be further
trouble. Those who ought to know sny
that they are really against the law and
that the permits should be revoked.
Shortly after o'clock, 1t was reported
that another conflict between the people
and the police had taken place this
evening In the outskirts of Havana and
that two policemen and several civil
ians, all wounded. were conveyed to the
police headquarters.
1t Is asserted also that two policemen
were killed and that reserves hnd been
called out.
There Is also rumor that police-
mnn was stabbed TO death this after
noon.