New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-02

FIGHT AT SANTIAGO.
ELEVEN AMERICANS HURT
Trouble Betueen Sailors and Police
Being Investigated.

from the cruiser. At | a. m. the men separated
and twelve Of them went to the Cafe Union in
a reasonably sober condition. A police captain,
named Lay who was in citizens clothes. had
been watching this cafe all the evening with
seven or eight policemen to support him. At
about 2 a m. the seamen started for the wharf
with the intention of boarding the Tacoma.
Captain Lay says that the seamen started the
trouble with the police and the sailors assert
that Captain Lay caused the disturbance, with
out prOvOcatiOn. AS the enlisted men of the
Tacoma had been hindered by the police their
way to The wharf. Ensign Brisbin decided 10
walk slightly ahead of the party. Suddenly he
heard a revolver shot and Immediately after
ward the police charged with revolvers and
machetes. Brisbin received ugly cut on the
arm and felled TO the ground three times.
AS the crowd of searnen came up the policemen
emptied their revovers at them, at the same
time attacking the Americans with machetes.
A fierce fight ensued with the result that
Henry l.. Lee, a fireman of the Tacoma, will
probably die from & compound fracture of the
skull, caused by machete and gunshot wound
in the right breast. Ten other members OF the
of the Tacoma were taken to the ships
hospital suffering from machete wounds and
clubbing. Not one of the policemen was badly
hurt, though number Of them suffered from
fist Commissions. The captain and all the police
men who took part in the affair have been sus-
pended by order OF the Civil Governor of San
tiago. on the representations of Commander
Tappan of the Tacoma and the American Con-
sui, Mr.. Holiday, who affirm that the lives of
the American officers and who go ashore
are not safe While such men acting as agents
of the law. Mr. Holiday is making thorough
investigation of the incident.
Havana, May 1.-The reports received at the
Governors palace indicate that the fight between
police and sailors at Santiago yesterday
merely one of several braws in which the
sailors are alleged to have been the aggressors.
The Governor of Santiago has telegraphed to
Governor Magoon that two such fights have
Cured. and the municipal authorities have been
directed TO prevent further breaches of the
peace.
Mayor Mesa of Santiago, who arrived here to-
day, reported to Governor Magoon that another
conflict, caused by a sailor attacking a
in disorderly house. occurred on Sunday. The
police were summoned to arrest the man. and
the sailors and marines in saloons near by went
TO the rescue. of their Comrade. The Mayor adds
that several men were injured on both sides. and
that one Cuban was arrested and discharged
The only report received here this afternoon
was from Governor Perez of Odiente. 1t merely
said that all was quiet and that the municipal
authorities, as a precautiOn against further dis
orders had requested Commander Tappan not
10 allow his sailors ashore a night
Governor Magoon said to-day that he con-
Sdered the affair without particular significance:
apparently it was mere braWl incident 10 pay
day. This opinion is shared by General Barry,
who has just returned from Santiago, and who
says he did not observe any evidence of anti
American sentiment.
Mayor Mesa said he could hardly credit the
report that the police had wantonly attacked
American sailors and believed an investigation
would show them not guilty. The Mayor Is sure
that the AFFAIR Is not TO be attributed to any
anti-American sentiment. The saiors, he said.
usually were well behaved, and cordial relations
existed between them and the citizens and po-
lice. Police Captain Lay, who is alleged 10 have
led the attack on tho sailors. the Mayor de-
clared, was officer Of long service and excel
lent character, and 1t was most unlikely he
would resort TO violence except in an ener-
gency- It was probable, he said that the affair
resulted from the trouble Of Sunday
Mayor Mesa returned to Santiago tonight for
the purpose of starting an investigation Of the
found guilty OF attacking the sailors he would
inhict summary punishment upon them.
Washington, May While full report Of the
ARRAY at Santiago is not yet at hand. It Is
learned at the Navy Department that Commander
Tappan has reported that ten of the men Of tho
Tacoma injured in the attack by the police Of
Santiago These were Henry l.. Lee fireman. sec
class fracture of skull. gunshot wound OF lung
condition serious; Ensign A. r Brisbin Frank
Leghorn, electrician, first class; Elmer F. Anders
apprentice seaman; Charles b. Shacketon, ma
chinists mate, first class; Glen Lavender, seaman;
Harry J. Sturdevant, electrician first class, and
Louis Cline. ordinary seaman. cuts and bruises.
but not serious; Leslie b. Dustin, seaman, COM
pound fracture Of left forearm. serious injury and
Claude J. Pember, electrician third class incised
wound OF left forearm, severe injury.
Commander Tappans dispatch says that these
men, with the exception of the ensign. composed
liberty party from the Tacoma and We're attacked
by the police while returning their ship / 80
a m. yesterday. No cause is assigned for the at
tack but It is supposed that the men were singing
as sailors ere likely 10 do when they have had
happy evening ashore and returning TO their
ship In almost all large ports unless the men are
dsorderly destroying property or interfering
with citizens, the police let them proceed on their
way without molestaton beyond friendly warning
to refrain from disorder. So far as the naval
Santiago ever since the American ships have made
that a station port. Indeed the sailors are be
a great deal of money in the native shops and
markets and contributed much to the social life OF
tho town The officials at the Navy Department
are at 4 loss understand the reason for the
change Of e a se on t9 B s5 OF t e a ms9
we're much to blame, and they are certain they
were not the aggressors because Commander Tap
pan reports that they were attacked" by the
police and character Of the injuries sustained
by the IS an indication that they were assault
cd with clubs and swords or bayonets No men
lion is made of any injury inflicted on the police
the strictest watch is kept on the liberty men to
make sure that they carry ashore no weapons.
IN the absence of an explanation to the contrary.
it is believed at the Navy Department that either
IN behalf Of his when they were assaulted or
that the sailors became involved through attempt
ing succor their officer when he had fallen into
Commander Tappan reports that he is making a
fun investigation into the case, and as matters
have quoted down in Santiago. there Is no appre-
state Department advices, Ross e. Holiday the
American Consul at Santiago. IS assisting in the
authorities by order of Governor Magoon. supple
mentng the inquiry being made e P 5ae M dn
that If these inquiries disclose that the police nave