The Washington times., 1906-10-04
Juan E. Alegando, Just
From Island, Tells of
FrightfuI Deeds of
LaWleSSneSS.
AMERICAN WOMEN
ASSAULT VICTIMS
Declares Attitude of Negroes
and Lower Class of Gu
bans Bitterly Hostile to
United States.

Juan E. AlegandO, a Spaniard. who
has lived in Havana ali his life, arrived
in Washington this morning. on the
day he left Havana he states that the
insurgents had started fires in the
western suburbs OF the city and that
the destruction of the capital was only
overted by the timely work Of the fire
department. Alegando was present at
the wharf when Secretary Taft and his
party landed on Cuban soil
when Secretary Taft landed he was
met by President Palma's private secre-
tary." he said. The President himself
was afraid 10 venture from the palace.
Tor at that time the feeling against him
marines marched in front OF Secretary
Tart and his party. while either side
rode q nle OF police Bl4ging up the
rear was a regiment of American sol
aiers. The excitement was intense.
Rebel sympathizers and negroes were
furious at the landing of the Americans.
AS the Secretary of War landed there
were many arrested.
Cubans and Negroes Angry.
while there was considerable mani
festation of anger on the part OF the
Cubans and negroes. there was an
equally strong feeling of relief when the
Americans landed. Many OF the Cubans
were elated and for hours after the
landing Of Secretary Taft and his party
tue streets were lined with shouting and
yelling Cubans. The Spaniards, too.
were profuse IN their demonstrations OF
delight. The arrival of the Americans
was considered the turning point in the
trouble.
From present Indications there is but
one possible thing 20 be done, If the
lsIahd republlc ever hopes 70 live in
peace. That is 10 annex It 70 America.
the CuDanS are a laWleSs set and viii
resort 10 any kind OF work 20 attain
their end. The people of the island hate
President Palma. Many of the Cubans
are virtually negroes, reared and assO-
ciated with the scum OF the island.
President Palma IS nearly white, al
though Cuban by birth His rule has
Reen trOn-handed. he believes IN reform
and conformity with the law This is
exactly what the Cubaus do not want.
They desire 20 live their loose lives.
obeying no laws but the dictates of
their own cOnsclenCes. II Is mainly be-
cause OF his suppression Of lawlessnss
that the people of the islard have re-
volted. The trouble has not yet ended.
IN The city or Havana. the people are
divided into factions. In one section
there is heard nothing but threats OF
violence. while Ia another section there
Is "a bitter feeling against the Amer
leans.
American Girls Assaulted.
Several days before LETT the island
three American girls were brutalIy as
saulted on a lonely road a few miles out
side OF Havana. The American papers
never heard OF the case. The Cuban
government made every effort To aD-
prehend the assailiants but they had
not been captured up 10 the tima I lett
the island. The girls were of a good
family. There had been so much talk
about being held up on the roads and
ROBBED that these girls decided 10 inves-
lRdIe the reports for themselves. They
entered q carriage and rode from the
town. Three hours later a party of
americans chanCed TO pass along the
rode and found two of the women lying
unconscious in the road. The other was
sitting on the ground with a handker-
chief 70 her face. All three had been
trishttuily treated, and apparently laft
IuT dead. They said that they had
been held up by four men, two Of whom
were negroes.
When the women we're brought into
the city and the report spread that they
haa he,en attacked a party Of Americans
eminent aided IN the fruiuess search.
The Spanish papers OF the island
contained fun reports Of the affair but
none or the Cuban papers printed IT,. be-
cause two OF the men were Cubans
however the whole city was talking
bbout IT, / have never heard whether
OF not the girls recovered.
AlegandO IS IN the country for the
purpose Of studying the printing busl-
ness. lie has been engaged tu this line
OF work In Havana. On the way 10
lHls city from Tampa, Fla. with his
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