Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-09-29
SIX ARE KILLED IN RIOT
Political Differences in Cuba Causes
Clash at Cienfuegos,
LIBERAL LEADER SLAIN
Police Attempt to Seize Arms Stored
in Hotel and Trouble
Follows.

HAVANA, Sept. 23.-In political riot
at Cienfuegos six persons were killed
and twenty-five wounded
Among the dead are CONGRESSMAN
Ennque Villuendas, leader of the Liber-
al party and the ablest orator in the
lower house, and Chief of Police IlIance
of Cienfuegos.
Two policemen are among the others
killed and the wounded comprise police
men and civilians.
One report says that Congressman
Eilluendas fired the shot that killed Il
lance, while, according to another ac
count, the shot was fired by Jose Fernan-
DEE, Liberal, who has been arrested.
Rural guards surround the entire block
in which the Hotel Suizo, the scene of
the battle. is situated.
The official version Of the affair is that
the police, hearing of quantities of arms
that We're stored in the cafe, went to sieze
them. They were opposed by party OF
Liberals and in the row Chief of Police
1llance was killed. The crowd outside
upon learning of the death of Illance,
entered the cafe and killed Villuendas.
The lighting then became general
Bombs Found in Hotel.
A search of the hotel revealed two dy-
Mantle bombs in the room occupied by
NHluendas. The police, in searching the
hotel. were carrying out the order of
judge who was informed that explosives
were hidden there.
1t is reported that Chief of Police
1Ilance entered the correctional court at
Cienfuegos Thursday and threatened
Senior Nllluendas with a revolver. This
gives color to the idea that the police
wished to get rid of Senior Villuendas.
F'reyre Andrade, secretary of the gov
eminent. claims the police and rural
guards only act to maintain order and
do not take sides politically. The Lib
erals claim that the whole province of
Santa Clara, of which Jose Miguel Co
mez is governor, especially the Cienfue-
COS district, is being ruled in a most
despotlc way and that the police and ru-
raj guards behave with absolute one
sldedeness. They declare today's vio-
lence is only the natural consequence of
the high handed measures of the govern
ment.
The last act of Senior Villuendas was
to send telegram which appears in the
Lucia today protesting against the
abuses of the police and rural guards of
Clenfuegos, claiming that, among other
outrages, they had stripped women of
their clothing. He added that President
Palma is seeking to provoke the inter-
ventlon of the United States in Cuba as
step toward the annexation of the
island.
Opposite Views of Slain Chief.
The murdered chief of police is vari-
ously reported as having been a strong
friend of law and order, and as a brutal
aggressor, according to the political
leanings of those who discuss his fate.
Senior Nllluendas represented Santa
Clara in Congress.
The election of members of the boards
OF registration will take place tomorrow.
Secretary Andrade says he expects no
trouble, but the Liberals claim there is
great danger Of further disorders.
The government has received tele-
gram from Senator Frias asking it to
send reinforcements at once. The tele-
gram says:
while in Cienfuegos at present the
forces are keeping order, every precau-
ton is needed, as there is danger of as
sault. l recommend that the authorities
prevent the entrance into Cienfuegos Of
probable trouble makers who are liable
to invade the city. There are fears of
dynamite bomb throwing"
Rural Guards Sent Out.
Acting on the advice of Senator Frias
the government this evening sent a train
of five cars loaded with rural guards.
the largest number of whom are destined
for Cienfuegos, while the others will be
distributed in Matanzas and Santa
Clara, where advices received by the
government indicate serious trouble may
occur at any time. The train also car
ries artillery and the troops are supplied
with 1900 rounds of ammunition.
The feeling in Havana tonight is most
intense. The Liberals are bitterly de-
nounclng the government, saying they
have received no advices from Cienfue-
COS because the government will not per-
NIT the use of either the government
telegraph lines or of the cable lines.
AS the news spread throughout Ha-
vana the Liberals and Moderates rapidly
gathered in their respective clubs, and it
is feared that unless the leaders give
wise counsel another clash may result.