The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-25
Several Serious Outbreaks in Which Police Get the
 Upper Hand
MAYOR IN SYMPATHY
 WITH THE STRIKERS
Trouble Began By Holding Up of Cars and Subsequent Attack By Union Men-The Situation Now
 We'll In Hand.

Havana, November 24-As the result of conflicts of serious nature today between the police and the men on strike here, two strikers are dead and eight other persons wounded, one a lieutenant of police whose throat was cut by striker, have very severe injuries. Eight other policemen are wounded. The police have the rioters we'll under control, but every precaution Is being taken to prevent a further outbreak of disorder and all the police and rural guards in the suburbs have been commanded to concentrate in Havana.
 The strike which at first only con- cerned the cigar makers, became gen. eral this morning. by the calling out of all trades in sympathy with the cigar makers. All the trades people closed their doors this morning. clerks, cooks and every class of workmen having obey ed the command of the union, except the motormen and conductors of the electric cars, who refusued to join in the general strike.
 Electric Cars Held Up.
 Trouble began early by the holding up of the electric cars by the strikers whose wrather naturally was directed against the street railroad employees. Several cars were held up and stoned in the out skirts of the city and the passengers were compelled to walk into Havana, among these being the British and Ger man ministers. Several cars were wreck ed and motormen and conductors were l,o carmen, however, continued running their cars until 10 o'clock when superin- iendent Greenwood ordered a suspension of traffic. The employees were willing to remain at work. but the officers of the company in order to protect property, deemed it wise to suspend the service. MT. Greenwood had asked for protection from the civil governor, but the authori- ties were unable to protect the public vehicles A mob of strikers drove the men on the western railroad from the trains during the morning.
 The mayor of Havana and the secretary of the government Dieg Tamaya, had during the past week openly sympathiz- ed with the strikers and given orders to the police not to use force in dfspersing the crowds, and under these conditions the police were unable to cope with the strikers.
 The situation was approaching critical point at noon, serious disorders having taken place in front of the palace itself in which a police officer named Maso and a number of policemen and strikers received injuries, when President Palma sent word to the mayor that unless the city authorities could prese- ve order and protect the railroad company, the state would intervene The mayor then took ,ad i0f rarfA- hibiting crowds from gathering in the streets, and authorizing the chief of po- lice to kill, if such should be necessary, to preserve order.
 Needed Force Earlier.
 A similar show of force early in the morning undoubtedly would have prevent ed the trouble but the strikers had be- come emboldened and frequent clashes between them and the police occurred in all parts of the city. The police were obliged to charge a mob of rioters at the slaughter house and several rioters were Injured. The vigorous attitude of the police made itself felt and traffic on the car lines which had been suspended only a brief period, was resumed and was con- finued from this time forthwith, only oc- casional Interruptions showing them selves The most serious injury sustained by the strikers were caused by the police mems clubs.
 The Central union, headed by General Gomez, held a meeting this evening and sent word to the strikers that order must be preserved at all hazards, even to an appeal to the President. The police fear that trouble may occur in the city tonight and a detachment of rural guards is ex- pected to reach Havana before morning.
 Senor Tamaya has resigned his office of secretary of the government but Pres ident Palma will not accept his resigna- tion until the strike has been settled. The public planes Tamaya for his active part in expressing open sympathy with the strikers and says he is responsible for the riots today as he has openly declared himself with the strikers. At political meeting on Wednesday, at which Senor Tamaya was chairman, he endorsed the action of the strikers.
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