The Jersey City news., 1906-08-20
TO MURDER PALMA
Six Leading Liberals Arrested,
Charged With Conspiring to
Kill Cuban President.
ONE OF THEM GETS AWAY.

!
They Jump Out of a Cab-lsIand
Republics Existence ImperiIed by
Rebellion, Which Is Gathering Head
way In Pinar del Rio.
Havana, Aug. 20. = Half a dozen
very prominent leaders of the Liberal
party have been taken into custody
on the charge of conspiracy against
the government and plotting to assas-
sinate President Palma.
The men arrested here are General
Carlos Garcia Velez and his brother
Fausto, ex-Cuban consul at Bremen;
ex-senator Monreagudo, Colonel Man
uel Piedra and General Enrique 10y
naz del Castillo, former congress
man from Puerto Principe province
Telegrams were sent to Santiago di-
recting the arrest of Juan Gualberto
Gomez of Havana, known as the col
ored orator and one of the most in
f1uential of the Liberal leaders. Co
mez has been campaigning lately
throughout Santiago province against
the government. The police of Santa
go were also ordered to arrest Demet-
rio Castillo. Gomez and Castillo are
charged with melting to outlawry and
revolution.
The Havana arrests were made by
the city police on charges preferred by
the chief of the government secret
service.
General Castillo Escapes.
General Enrique Loynaz del Cas-
tillO managed to 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 ac-
company him to bring a change of
clothing. This request was granted
While on the way to the police sta
ton Arana suddenly drew revolver
and threatened the lieutenant with
instant death unless he allowed the
prisoner to escape Both men then
jumped from the carriage and ran
They were not caught When PreSi-
dent Palma learned of this incident
he ordered that the lieutenant of police
be at once discharged.
Colonel Manuel Piedra is the same
man who endeavored to start revolu-
tion 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
ic n podiool ond on 1,orio,,c 0ooaes;o,,e
he has been disturbing element i'll
politics.
The details of this alleged conspiracy
are not yet clear. The officials claim
that they have sufficient evidence to
secure convictions.
Dispatches from Santiago say the
two arrests there were accomplished
without excitement and without resist
ance.
Rebels Well Armed.
1t is reported here that the rebels
in the province of Pinar del Rio have
received considerable endorsements
in the remoter districts Leading vet
Grams are assembling volunteers to at
tack and disperse all rebel bands The
rebels hold that the government has
been most unjust in the matter of cleo
tions and appointments and that it
has not carried out its promises of
public improvements, etc. The rebels
In the remoter districts are said to be
well armed, and they are probably
well supplied with ammunition.
Troops are being held in readiness
to be transported to Pinar del Rio, and
the Western railroad has been notified
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 5000, 500 of
whom are scattered through Pinar del
Rio province.
I General Rodriguez, commander of
the Rural guard, at the conclusion of
conference with President Palma
held at late hour, said:
II regret to say our troops are oblig-
ed to fight rebels again. None of the
Rural guard have been wounded as
far as we know. We are not aware
that the other side suffered. They
were scattered and fed. There were
two encounters. One took place at
Punta Gorda and the other at San
Juan de Martinez" !"