The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-06
STORMY SCENES
IN CUBAN HOUSE
Nationalist Refused to
Enter the Chamber.
NO FORMAL OPENING
The Matter of Contested Seats the
Cause of the Disorder. Presi-
dent PaIma's Message Not
Read in the House.
(By the Associated Press.l


Havana, April 4.-The scene on the
House OF Representatives today was one
OF wild disorder. AS matter OF fact
there was no formal opening OF the House
owing to inability to muster It quorum for
the reason that every Nationalist member
refused TO enter the chamber, the Ma
tlonaliscs fearing the question of contested
seats arose they would De outvoted by
the coalition lately arranged between the
Republican and moderate erals The
"auonallsts, however, came into the
building accompanied by several hun
ldled local followers who crowded into the
audience, part of the chamber and into
the nails and streets adjoining, shouting
WAS" for the Nationalist party. The
Republicans and moderate Liberals for
the most part remained IN their seats.
During the confusion the Speaker of
the House, who is a Nationalist, not
being present, the Vice-Speaker called
UPON the sergeant-at-arms and the en-
ployes or the House TO preserve order
but the crowd was too great to handle.
LlOnas Castillo, prominent Nationalist
who was one OF those elected, mounted
the reporters table and addressing the
crowd assured II that justice would be
done and that the representatives who
had been fraudulently declared elected
would never be permitted TO take their
seats.
As the disorder continued, Represen.
tative BOA, himself a Nationalist, adj
dressed the people to the effect that
such a demonstration in the House was
not only unlawful but outrageous, and he
rounseled them that no redress of griev-
mCes could be had by such means. The
people thcreupon began 30 withdraw
qr;euy, just as a squad of police entered
che building.
In the crowd were many negroes, but
the more intelligent of the race in Ha-
Vana were not represented.
Owing to the tact that there was no
session President Palma's message to
Congress was not read in the House.
President Palmas message, which was
read in the Senate, was chiefly review
of existing conditions. 1t made few def
mite recommendations. and contained no
direct Reference to the frauds alleged to
surround the election returns.
The state of Tranquility existing in the
island, the message pointed out. is ex-
TIRE mely satisfactory. the Cubans realizing
more clearly their duties as an independ-
ent people and their responsibilities be
tore the eyes of the civilized world
President Palma asks for an extension
of three months time for the work of the
commission reviewing the revolutionary
soldiers claim lists as there are still 49,
40C claims which have not been acted
upon. He said that the executive was
placed in an embarrassing position in the
cndeavor to pay the soldiers proportion
ately out of the 100000 of the loan,
while the amount of SO many claims re-
NAMED unfixad. and that the difficulty
OF making a pro-rata division was lament
able, owing to the fact that so many vet
Grams were selling their claims at a ire
meLdous discount. in many cases. amount
ing to seventy-fve per cent. The Presl-
dent asks Congress to determine the man.
nee of distributing the 100000 in three
payments to be made in June. September
and December respectively. The message
gave figures to recent dates of the value
aid quantity of the sugar and tobacco
crops both of which, it says, are dis
tancing all previous records, and expert
mcEtation in cotton and fruits was COM
mended.
The President noted the notauie contln-
uance of public health no single case OF
We How fever or smallpox having been origi-
mated in Cuba. The death rate in Havana
was 20.S2 per thousand and the mortality
last year was the lowest since 1920. The
death rate Of the island did not exceed
10 per thousand.