Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-20

Probably DIE.
Havana, March ia 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.
Ever since the police interference
about a week ago with the demonstra-
ton in honor of Gen. Maxine 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 posi-
ton of men who have to make the
people fear them in order to secure
obedience as they have no record to
fall back upon for example.
Last nights trouble occurred at a
public mulatto ball in San Jose street.
an unsavory quarter of Havana Many
Cuban officers. colonies and captains,
among them, attended the affair. A po-
licemal on duty in that street, follow,
ing orders to prevent collecting In
front of the building in which the ball
was in progress, asked a group of men
to dispense. 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, 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 re-
turned, the shooting being kept up
until the ammunition was exhausted.
The opponents of the police acted with
who were in the building mounted the
roof, which is comparatively low, and
fired upon the police from that point.
They were apparently well armed, and
this fact, together with the resolution
with which they fought, seems TO con-
firm the belief that the attacking par
ty was mostly made up of Cuban off,
GERS, as ordinary civilians would have
fed from the revolvers of the police
men.
Many women were injured. A report
is in circulation this evening that two
of the injured civilians have succumb-
ed to their wounds, but this Is not con-
frmed.
Among those seriously hurt are Po-
liceman Donate Aroza, Enrique Monez
and Benigue Vasquez, the civilians
Jose Dominique. Etouo Galiano, AL
berto Alpeo 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 1t
known that 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 entertain
ed that he will not recover. Police In
spector Raoul Arrange, who came into
notice on the day of the Gomez demon
stration because Of his attempts to
break up the procession, and who SUBJ
sequently challenged Gen. Alexandra
Rodriguez, chief OF staff OF Gen. 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 balls this evening, including
one for an affair at the same house,
and it is feared that there may be
further trouble Those who ought TO
know say that they are really against
the law and that the permits should
be revoked.
Shortly before 8 O'Clock It was ~
ported that another conflict between
the people and the police had takes
place this evening in the outskirts OF
Havana and that two policemen and
several civilians. all wounded, were
conveyed to police headquarters.
1t is asserted also that two policemen
were killed and that the reserves had
been called out
There is also rumor that police
man was stabbed to death this after
noon.