The True Northerner

SURFACE IS SERENE,

But There Is Peril to Peace in the Undertow at the Cuban Capital.

MUCH DANGER IN THE SITUATION

Army and Volunteers May Join in a Revolt Against Blanco and Autonomy-Incidents of Last Week's Riots-No American in Any Danger During the Turbulence-Loyal Officers Denounced Those in the Mob as Unworthy Their Uniform.

Havana, via Key West, Jan. 17.-[Delayed in transmission.]-Although outwardly order is restored here great excitement continues and unless the newspapers exercise great prudence a general revolt is probable with much bloodshed, because in such an event the army and volunteers would fraternize. General Blanco's position is more difficult because his mild methods of warfare disqualify him to use energy with a mob.

The rioters intend going in a pacific manner to the palace to request General Blanco to release Señor Jesus Trillo, a prominent attorney, who has been unjustly charged by political intriguers with fomenting mob violence. Up to the time this dispatch is sent no American has been in danger; nor has there been any hostile demonstration or shouting against them, nor have any Americans taken refuge at the United States consulate. Consul General Fitzhugh Lee, the British consul, and other consular officers witnessed the disorders from the balcony of the Hotel Inglaterra.

Cavalry Commander Declines to Charge.

On the first day of the riots, when a crowd of 5,000 men that had massed in Central park began stoning windows and shouting 'Death to Diario,' 'Vive Weyler,' and 'Down with autonomy,' General Parrado, General Solano and General Garrichs rode up, and General Solano ordered the cavalry to charge the mob. The cavalry commander replied: 'Whom shall I charge? Loyal Spaniards for shouting 'Long live Spain' and 'Long live the Spanish generals?' The commander then dismounted and endeavored to persuade the mob, in which were a number of officers and several adjutants, to retire. General Garrichs, an intelligent, noble Cuban whose loyalty has never been doubted, confronted the leaders of the mob, Major Fuentes and Captain Calvo, of the artillery. Major Fuentes resented the rebuke, and General Garrichs, infuriated, snatched several decorations from the breast of the officer, saying 'You have dishonored the army.'

Solano's Sword Is Ready.

General Solano, in the course of an interview, has denied that he called the rioting officers drunkards, but he confirms the report that he characterized them as 'unworthy of the uniforms they wore.' Some of the papers having criticised this language General Solano said: 'I used those words and I am willing to sustain them at the point of my sword.' Wednesday and Thursday nights the theatres and cafes were closed and the military band did not play at Central park as usual. When the newspaper offices were being attacked General Blanco called upon several of General Weyler's friends to use their influence to calm the rioters. They replied that they deplored the outburst, but did not know the leaders of the riot. They offered to do everything in their power to calm the agitation, but pointedly suggested that General Arolas should try to calm himself also, as he was 'increasing the disturbances by his intemperate and insulting language.'