New-York tribune., 1909-03-17
UPRISING In CUBA
GOTERNNENT TROOPS
SENT OUT.
officer of Rural Guards and Peas
ants Take to floods at FueltdS
-TRSurrcctiOR Feared.

Havana. March 16.-The first armed uprising
against the new Cuban Republic occurred last
night. within a little more than six weeks after
the inauguration OF General Gomez Presi-
dent How serious the movement is II is i'm
possible 10 determine at present, all that Is
known being that a sergeant of the rural
guard. stationed at Vueltas. in Santa Clara
Province. with party Of seven men. some other
members Of the rural guard and number Of
peasants took to the woods, and that the troops
are in active pursuit
While the movement apparently is unm
portant numerically all indications point to the
fact that ii is part of Widespread conspiracy,
the nature Of which is indicated by dispatch
received here this afternoon which stated that
a special train carrying a detachment OF the
rural guard under command Of Major General
Monteagudo. was proceeding as quickly pos
sble for VueItas
News OF the rising reached the palace at
late hour last night but was suppressed until
this afternoon. when. according to the first ac-
count, il appeared that a sergeant and seven Of
the rural guard had mutlned and deserted
from a post near Vuetas. Later official
statement was given out that Sergeant Cortes
and seven had started insurrectionary
movement. the motive for which, 1t officially
declared. WIS the refusal Of the government 10
give Cortes a commission captain in the reg
ular army.
President Gomez declared his intention OF in
stantly suppressing the rising and making
example Of all concerned. He ordered the rapid
| concentration OF troops about Vueltas 20
round the fugitves Orders issued to the
| troops TO take no prisoners If they encountered
! resistance. and not TO cease pursuit until all
| fugitves had been killed or captured.
Later il was learned that a conspiracy had
! been ~uneart1ed in which the rural guard was
| implicated. At Placetas. former captain Of
| the rural guard Lavastida by name. and at
| Vueltas Corporal Richardo and two civilians
| were arrested or the charge Of completely in the
| movement.
The district where the trouble has occurred Is
strongly Liberal. Santa Clara being the home
province of President Gomez. Of which he for
merly was Governor. All those concerned in the
uprising reported to be Liberals of the
Miguesta faction among whom 1t is known
there has recently been widespread dissatisfac-
| tion over the distribution of offices
Sehor Cateanos the Presidents secretary.
| said this evening, that the government attached
little Importance TO the uprising. but the dis
! patch Of troops from Havana under command
| OF major general 10 a point twelve hours dis
| tant from the capital is taken indication
| that the situation possibly is serious than
President Gomez viii admit. There is no direct
information from the district. the govern
ment controls the wires. and officials say they
have further news.
1t has been known for some time that the dis
! cipline in the rural guard has been greatly i'm
paired. This has been particularly marked since
| the withdrawal of the American officers and
| since the recent attempt draft its members
into the regular army. which resulted in a mu-
tinous demonstration short time ago in front
of the palace in Havana.
Rumors current that Colonel Vale who
| frOD he ard
has risen in Oriente at the head Of two hun
! dred