The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-12-16

contains the following. The steamer Montezu-
ma returned here on Friday. On the Sd she
la ded at Gibasa the battalion of modified
| volunteers chasseurs styled Espana. Gibasa
| has heen made sort of fortified town. sur
| rounded by stockades, intrenchments and 9TH
| er defenses. There is small Triangular fort
now, surrounded BY deep ditch with draw
| bridge which latter was made under the direc.
| ton and at the cost of Senior Calderon, plan
ter. Hoiqnln was still defended by it's limited
/ garrison-ol troops and a small number OF vol
! nnteefs. The rebels outside amounted to 8OO
Inc only damage done arose from dearth OF
provisions which the insurgents prevented
from entering the town. AT Auras, halt way
between Holquin and Gibasa, the number of
the insurgents was 800. Comdt. Renegasi. at
the head of his volunteers from Havana, had
mrrched for Holqun on the 4th; Fifty soldiers
and 200 volunteers of the town had entered his
| files. The advanced rebels located in the Santa
Rosa House, in sight of Gibasa. had taken
down their flag as soon as the Montezuma came
in sight.
The insurgent General Don Casper Aguero
Betaneant, who was wounded and made
prisoner, has been brought to Havana. The
steamer Barcelona, of the Cuba line of
Antilles steamers, was to have sailed yesterday
on her customary route via Neuvtas, Gibasa
and Santiago for Jamaica and Colon, but she
was detained till to-day to take company of
artillery men, mules, Sc, for Neuvitas.
1t is just stated in town that draft for $780,
600, drawn by the Madrid government on the
eral Lersundi made payable at the Banco Es-
panel de la Habana, has been suffered to be
protested for non-payment by the firm of
Schnarunburg, Tolme q Co., agents of Roths-
child in this island.
HAVANA, Dec 15.-The Government is ac-
lively searching for political offenders Many
arrests have been made in this city and inter
ior. Some of the parties arrested are well
known In this community. Count Val Meze-
da came to Havana Sunday from Neuvitas to
confer with the Captain General He re-
turned yesterday with reinforcements. Addi-
tional troops will be forwarded Two battal-
ions left Havana yesterday for the interior
The steamer Espana has arrived with the first
reintorcements from Spain. Two steam trans
ports, with 1000 troops, are expected to NOR
row.
A battalion of volunteers reached Holquin
on the 9th and raised the siege of the hosipal.
The iusurrectousts withdrew from the town
which is now entirely in the hauds Of the Gov
eminent. 1t is expected that Val Mazeda will
march Immediately from Nuevtas and make
an attack upon Bayamo, the stronghold OF The
revolutionists.
C,nficting reports are in circulation in re-
gard to the late military operations in the in
terror. Cubaus here say the Government |
troops have suffered defeat, but their asser-
tons are not confirmed by the reports from the |
seat Of war.
A correspondent of the New York Times. at |
Bayamo, reports the character of the war |
changing. The Spanish troops are disguised |
with the lenient policy of the Government in |
pardoning rebels and refuse to give or receive |
quarters. The revolutionists are confident and |
expecting disturbance in Spain, which will |
prevent the sending out of renforcements. !
AT the same time the planters are more anx-
ious to secure their sugar crops than to fight, |
ana are generally sympathizers with the revo- |
luton.
Parties in Havana who advocate the cause |
OF the revolution claim that the insurgents are |
receiving arms and even men from the United |
States.
1t is believed an expedition in aid of the in |
surrecton is organizing in Nassau. Govern |
ment has taken steps to prevent it reaching |
the shores of Cuba.
The report of the death of Figueredo is un.
true.
The Diario reports that since the defeat of |
the rebels at Moran, that parish has been per-
fectly tranquil. 1t states hat an ong the rebel |
officers killed in that battle were two persons
represented to have been colonies in the Next
can army.