Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 73, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1909 — DRAW REVOLVERS TO SAVE GOMEZ [ARTICLE]

DRAW REVOLVERS TO SAVE GOMEZ

Mutiny Develops In Army of Cuba Republic. SOLDIERS FINALLY SUBMIT Rural Guards Rush to Palace of the President to Object to Their Transfer to Island's Regular Forces —Some Attempt to Break Into the Apartments of the Chief Executive, but Retreat When Firearms Are Flashed. Havana. Fjeb. 12.—Mutiny broke out among a conipany of rural guards as the men were about to embark In launches to bo transported across the harbor to Cabanas fortress. When the men learned that they were to be transferred from the rural guard to the permanent army, in accordance with a decree issued by Governor Magoon authorizing the transfer of one battalion, they refused to embark and, led by a subaltern officer, rushed to the palace. They demanded an immediate audience of President Gomez.

Some attempted to ascend the stairway to the presidential apartments, but the way was barred by the police guard armed with revolvers.- The mutineers, being unarmed, retreated, but they remained in the courtyard, shouting that they refused to submit to the transfer and demanded to be returned to their homes in Mantanzas and Santa Clara.

General Pino Guerra, commander of the permanent army, and General Monteagude, commander of the rural guard, were summoned. They succeeded eventually In restoring order and in persuading the men to submit. The mutineers were then"\ent under an armed escort to Cabanas.