New-York tribune., 1906-08-20
PLOT TO KILL PALMA.
SIX LIBERALS ARRESTED.
Cuban Government MoUes to Put
Dorm Outlaz0ru.

Havana Aug. 19-Half dozen leaders of the
Liberal party were taken into custody to-day on
the chaage of conspiracy against the government
and plotting TO assassinate President Palma.
The events of to-day show that the govern
ment is fully aroused to the necessity of putting
down the outlawry in Western Cuba and capt
uring the leaders Of the movement. who. 1t is
suspected. have been plotting to everthrow the
present government.
The men arrested are General Carlos Garcia
velez and his brother Fausto. ex-Cuban consul
at Bremen ex-senator Monteagudo. Colonel
Manuel Piedra, chief of police in the House Of
Representatives: General Enrique Loynaz del
Castillo. a former Congressman from Puerto
Principle Province.
Telegrams were sent to Santiago directing the
arrest of Juan Gualberto Gomez. of Havana
known as the colored orator and one of the most
influential Of the Liberal leaders Gomez has
been campaigning lately throughout Santiago
Province against the government
The police Of Santiago were also ordered 70
arrest Delnetrio Castillo. Gomez and Castillo
are charged with melting TO outIawry and revo-
luton.
The Havana arrests were made by the city
police on charges preferred by the chief Of the
government Secret Service.
General Enrique Loynaz del Castillo managed
20 make his escape. After his arrest he was
placed in a carriage In charge Of lieutenant OF
police He asked that his brother-in-law, Senior
Arana, be allowed to accompany him to bring a
change of clothing. This request granted.
While on the way to the police station Arana
suddenly drew a revolver and threatened the
lieutenant with instant death unless he allowed
the prisoner to escape. Both men then jumped
from the carriage and They were not
caught.
When President Palma learned of this incident
he ordered that the lieutenant of police he at
once discharged.
Colonel Manuel Piedra is the same man who
endeavored to start a revolution in 1905. He
was captured. but subsequently, pardoned, and,
singularly enough remained in the employ Of the
government as Chief of Police in the House.
General Enrique Loynaz del Castillo is Radi-
cal. and on various occasions has been dis
turbing element in politics.
The details of this alleged conspiracy are not
yet clear. The officials say that they have suf-
hcient evidence TO secure convictions
Dispatches from Santiago say that two ar
rests there were accomplished this evening with
out excitement and without resistance.
It is reported here that the rebels in the prov
renforcements in the remote districts. Rumors
of encounters between them and the Rural
Guards have not been verified.
Leading veterans are assembling voluntarily
10 attack and disperse all rebel bands. The
rebels hold that the government has been most
unjust in the matter of elections and appoint
ments and that it has not carried out it's prom
iscs of public improvements, etc. The rebels
in the remote districts said to be we'll armed
and are probably well supplied with anmuni-
ton
President Palma crossed the habor at o'clock
this morning from his summer residence in
Cabanas fortress. He remained in his Office
throughout the day, and was reading telegraphic
reports and consulting with officials until late
hour tonight.
Troops are being held in readiness to be trans
ported to Pinar del Rio, and the Western Rail-
road has been informed that a train for this
purpose may be requisitioned at any moment
In view of the rumors and evidences OF plots
the government is loath to send the Havana
troops away The entire force OF Rural Guards
numbers 3,O0O five hundred of whom are scat
tered through Pinar del Rio Province.
law doubling the size of the Rural Guard al
most passed Congress at the last session. It was
not acted upon by the Senate
President Palma will sleep in the palace to-
night.
The lve men arrested here were interviewed
this evening in Jail They denied all knowledge
Of why they had been arrested. They declare
they are simply the victims Of persecution.
The police lieutenant who allowed General del
Castillo to escape has been arrested.
The revolutionists in Pinar del Rio Province
number at least two hundred, and probably
more Some ammunition and three prisoners
already have been captured.
General Rodriguez. commander Of the Rural
Guard. at the conclusion of conference with
President Palma, held at a late hour tonight.
said:
II regret TO say our troops were obliged to
fight rebels again to-day. None Of the Rural
Guard have been wounded, far as we know
We are not aware what the other side suffered
They were scattered and fed, There were two
encountered. One took place al Punta Gorda and
the other at San Juan de Martinez"
Asked whether he did not believe that the
rebel bands were receiving numerous reinforce
ments, General Rodriguez shrugged his shouI-