The Portland daily press., 1899-03-20

Have Been Lost--Peoplc. of City Pay
Attention TO the Force.
Havana, March 10. "A serious conflict
between the police and people of Havana
last night resulted in considerable shoot
ing and clubbing. From thirty to fifty
people were wounded, some seriously.
Among the injured is Police Captain
Estampes, formerly a colonel in the
Cuban army.
Ever since the police interference about
a week ago with the demonstration in
honor of General Gomez they have been
unpopular with the populace who jeer at
them and declare them inefficient. Ger
tain newspapers let no opportunity escape
to critizce the force, denouncing the ar
rests as unfair and charging the police
with "trampling upon the rights of a
free people"
The police are virtually in the position
of men who have to make the people fear
them i'll order to secure obedience rs they
have no record to fail back upon for ex-
ample.
Last nights trouble occurred at pub
lie mulatto ball in san Jose street, an
unsavory 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 "a crowd collecting
In front of the building where the ball
was in progress asked IA group of men to
90 In or to disperse. His request was un.
needed and, after repea ting 1t, he was at
tackled by the group whereupon many
issued from ths 4ullding, set upon him,
took away his club and revolver and
handled him roughly.
The policeman Immediately notified
hea. quarters who ordered. twenty reserves
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 ths latter returned, the
shooting being kept up until the ammu-
milton was exhausted. The opponents of
the nolice acted in the affray with deter
mination.
Many who were in the building
mounted to the roof. which is compara-
lively 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 belief that the attacking
party was mostly made Up of Cuban
omcers as ordinary civilians would have
fied from the reyolyers of the police.
Many women were injured. report is
in circulation this evening that two of
the injured civilians have succumbed TO
their wounds. but this is not confirmed.
Public opinion respecting the police is
Some sustain them and
others charge them with interfering with
the rights of the people. As the facts be-
came known, however, opinion is in-
creasing in favor of the force. 1t is re.
ported op good authority that many
wounded withdrew hastily because un
present.
Amerioao troops We're called to the
scene when the trouble wasyover and
numerous arrests followed. Police Captain
~ hstempes, who is we'll known in Cuban
circles Is so badly injured that fears are
that be will not recover.
Police Inspector Raoul A range, who
came into notice on the day of the Gomez
because of his attempts TO
break up the procession and who suhse
quently challenged General Rodriguez,
chief of staff Of General Gomez, for
haying accused him Of clubbing woman
is credited with bravery and coolness in
his efforts to restore order.
Shortly before nine O'Clock it was re-
ported that another conflict between the
people and the police had taken place this
evening in the outskirts OF Havana, and
TWO policemen and several civilians, all
wounded, We're conveyed to police head
uuartesr. 1t is asserted also that two
policemen were killed and that the re-
serves had been called out.
There is also rumor that policeman
was stabbed to death this afternoon.
EX-SENATOR WALSH