The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-20
Rioters Mainly Cuban Insurgent
CoIOnels and Captains, Who Used
Their RevOIvers with Effect.
WOMEN AMONG THE INJURED
SOLDIERS CALLED TO THE SCENE
AND MANY ARRESTS MADE.
other Riots I'm the Suburbs and Sew
ported Killed and Wounded.


between the police and people of Havana
last night resulted in much shooting and
clubbing. From thirty to fifty people were
wounded some seriously. Among the in
jured 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 Gen. Maximo Gomez the police have been
unpopular with the populace, who jeer at
them and declare them inefficient. Certain
newspapers let no opportunity escape TO
criticise the force, denouncing the arrests
as unfair and charging the police with
''trampling upon the rights of a free peo-
pie" 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 the San Jose street, an un-
savory quarter Of Havana. Many Cuban
officers, colonies and captains among them,
attended the affair. A policeman on duty
in that street, following orders to prevent
a crowd collecting in front of the building
where the ball was in progress, asked a
group Of men to go in or to disperse. His
request was unheeded, and after repeating
1t he was attacked by the group, where
upon many issued from the building set
upon him. took away his club and revolver
and handled him roughly. The policeman
Immediately notified headquarters, which
ordered twenty reserves TO the scene of the
trouble. The crowd had prepared for their
arrival. 1t is said they opened with a
volver fire upon the police, which the latter
returned. the shooting being kept up until
the ammunition was exhausted.
WELL ARMED.
The opponents of the police acted with
determination in the affray. Many who
were in the building mounted to the roof,
which is comparatively low, and fired upon
the police from that point. They were ap-
parently we'll armed, and this fact, together
with the resolution with which they fought,
seems to confirm the belief that the attack
ing party was mostly made up of Cuban
officers, ordinary civilians would have
fled from the revolvers of the police.
Many women were wounded. a report is
in circulation this evening that two of the
injured civilians have succumbed to their
wounds, but this is not confirmed. Among
| those seriously hurt are Policeman Donate
Aroza, Enrique Munoz and Benigue Vas
quez and civilians Jose Dominguez, Etouo
Galiato, Alberto Alicia and Irene Rogue.
Public opinion respecting the policemen 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
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 badly
injured that fears are entertained that he
will not recover Police Inspector Raoul
Arrange, who came into notice on the day of
the Gomez demonstration because Of his at
| tempts to break up the procession, and who
| subsequently challenged General Alexandra
Rodriguez. chief of staff of General Gomez
for having accused him of clubbing wom-
an, is credited with bravery and GOODNESS
| in his efforts to restore order.
| MORE PERMITS FOR BALLS.
Numerous permits were issued for similar
| balls this evening, including one for an af-
| fair at the same house, and IL is feared
| 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 Q o'clock it was reported
| that another conflict between the people and
| police had taken place this evening in the
| outskirts of Havana and that two police
men and several civilians. all wounded, were
conveyed TO police headquarters. 1t is as
! serted also that two policemen We're killed
and that the reserves had been called out.
| There is also a rumor that a policeman was
stabbed to death this afternoon.
Major General Ludlow, military governor
Of the department of Havana, desires TO be
relieved of his duties and to so to the Phil
ippines. 1t is understood that he has ap-
| piled TO the War Department for a transfer
and has strenuously urged that il be made.
| He is weary of the details of city adminis-
| tration Captain Johnston. of General Lud-
| lows staff. sailed for Tampa to-day en- route
| for the Philippines.
The workmen's demonstration in favor of
| General Gomez this afternoon was a sue
| cessful affair. some five hundred men and
| women forming on the Prado and marching
with music and banners to the residence of
| General Gomez where they We're Joined by
similar procession from Guanabacoa.
The United States transport Thomas.
| formerly the Minnewaska, sailed this morn
ing for the United States with the Two
| hundred-and-second New York Volunteers.
The Ward liner Havana. specially chartered
for this purpose. will sail tomorrow with
the Second Louisiana Volunteers.
<
| VILLAMIL'S SKELETON.