The record-union., 1899-03-20
A SERIOUS CONFLICT.
PEOPLE OF HAVANA AND PO-
LICE COLLIDE.
The Latter Attacked by a Mob and
Several of Them
Wounded.

HAVANA, March ia serious con-
flict between the police and people of
Havana last night resulted in much
shooting and clubbing. From thirty
to fifty people were wounded, some Sc
riously. Among the injured is Police
Captain Estampes, formerly a Colonel
in the Cuban army.
Ever since the police interference
about a week ago at the demonstration
in honor of General Maxine Gomez
the police have been unpopular with
the populace, who jeer 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 position of men who have to
make the people fear them in order to
secure obedience, as they have no rec
ord to fall back upon for example.
Last nights trouble occurred at
public mulatto ball in San Jose street,
an unsavory quarter. Many Cuban
officers, Colonies and Captains among
them, attended the affair. police
man on duty in the street, following or
ders to prevent crowd collecting in
front of the building where the ball
was in progress asked group of men
to go in or disperse. His request was
unheeded, and after repeating 1t he
was attacked by the group, whereupon
many men issued from the building
and 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. The crowd had
prepared for their arrival. 1t is said
they opened with a revolver fire upon
the police, which the latter returned,
the shooting being kept up until the
ammunition was exhausted. The op-
ponents of the police acted with de-
termination in the affray. Many VINO
We're in the building mounted the root,
which was low, and fired upon the
police from that point. They were ap-
parently well armed, and this fact, to-
gether with the resolution with which
they fought, seems to confirm the be-
lief that the attacking party was most
ly made up of Cuban officers, as or
dinary civilians would have fled from
the revolvers of the police.
Many women We're 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 seriously hurt
are Policemen Donate Aroza, Enrique
Munoz and Benigue Vasquez, and CIVIL
ians Jose Dominguez, Etouo Gal1ano,
Alberto Alicia and Irene Rogue.
1t is reported on good authority that
many We're wounded who withdrew
hastily because unwilling to have it
known that they We're present.
American troops We're called to the
scene when the trouble was over, and
numerous arrests followed. Police
Captain E,stames, who is we'll known
| in Cuban military circles. is so badly
| injured that fears are entertained that
he will not recover
! Numerous permits have been issued
! for similar balls this evening, and it
is feared that there may be further
J trouble.
| Shortly after O'Clock it was reported
that another conflict between the peo-
pie and the police had taken place this
! evening in the outskirts of Havana.
and that two policemen and several
/ civilians. all wounded, We're conveyed
to police headquarters. 1t is asserted
also that two policemen were killed and
!
Major General Ludlow, Military Gov
ernor of the Department of Havana,
desires to be relieved of his duties and
to go to the Philippines. 1t is under
stood that he has applied to the War
Department for transfer, and has
strenuously urged that it be made. He
| is weary of the details of city admin
4 istration-
! Captain Johnston of General Ludlow 9
staff sailed for Tampa to-day en- route
for the Philippines.
The workmen's demonstration in IA
vor of General Gomez this afternoon
was a. successful affair. some 500 men
and women forming on the Prado and
marching with music and banners to
the residence of General Gomez. where
! they were joined by similar process
sion from Guanabaco.
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