The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-20
CUBA.
Magnitude OF fhe Observation-Disclosures Of the
Government-The March from Puerto Prin-
ciue To Nuevitas.

lNetoiAuiOi-tnPrril
Government-The March from Puerto Prin-
HAVANA, Dec Il 1888
1t would be well for the United States and for the
world to recognize the fact that gigantic insurrec-
ton exists In this Island; that 1t Is supported or
countenanced by the great mass OF the native popu-
laon the exceptions being as insignificant in point
OF numbers as in the confederacy during the late
civil war; that 1t has established provisional gov
ernment had many encounters with the Spanish
troops in which Its supporters inflicted quite as
much II not more damage than they suffered, and
are now loudly calling upon the great republic for
recognition OF be,ligerent rights and finally. that
from its inception to the present such has been its
rapid increase that the best informed among the dis
| interested and unpreJudced are already beginning
TO calculate on an ultimate which shall leave
| the Cubans free and independent.
The mpotency supneness OF the government
In reference 10 It Is wonderful. There 10 every
reason to believe that 1t ignorant of what IL going
on at the seat OF insurrecon and al this late
day has no proper appreciation of the difficulties.
Day after day passes and nothing done at all com
mensurate with the magnitude Of the task before it.
few houses are searched; certain harmless per-
sons guilty OF writing an enthusiastic letter which
has been picked out Of the mail bag are arrested
social dinner Is enjoyed volunteer organization
with very becoming uniform Is sent to south
north side. and reaching some port remains there
waiting for reiniorcements, and meanwhile even
the most timid gain courage from It's inacon, and
from one point after another comes news Of rsngs,
until more than half the Island Is in state OF insur
rection. and the buges Of the insurgents sounding
the attack and retreat, are heard within two days
run OF Havana.
AS was anticipated by every well informed person.
here. the victories of the troops under Valma soda
OF which You have been advised by telegraph and
mail, turn out to be OF little Importance in them
! selves and OF none whatever in tending u sup
preston OF the insurreciiOn.
| FROM person who accompanied the troops on the
march from Puerto Principe until their arrival at
san Miguel ! learn the observation-disclosures Valma-
seda's intention was TO march from Puerto Principe
TO Las Tunas for the purpose Of ahording relief to
ton with him, march TO the attack OF the rebel
stronghold AT Bayamo. This was found impracticabe
Nuevitas, intending to form junction with Loho at
or near san Miguel he having been ordered TO
glance at the map will show this the shortest and
easiest route for the two columns TO come to-
gether. During the march the troops were con
santly under fire OF the insurgents and more
especially when near the pass OF the river Las
Muas For seventeen hours they did not halt
soment, and not soldier could separate from the
files without being killed. Some stragglers were
! struck by fonr AMI i've bullets. Valmaseda had no
less than eight encounters ON the road, and on his
arrival he had lost all OF his mules except those
attached to the artillery and had DESTROYED
that IL might not fall into the hands OF the insur-
gents His losses were immense, rs also were those
of the rebels, who would rush with desperate
bravery upon the artillery. AS to lono who mad set
out from Maniti in accordance with orders, he was
compelled to return with the loss Of half his force.
He was attacked from every forest and hillside and
was under constant fire until be reentered Maniti.
He Is now. personally, in Nuevitas having gone
there by sea to meet Vamaseda. The latter has
sent here for reinforcement OF 5000 men. num-
I Der which the government has not at lis disposition.
| However, the regiment known a. The Kings Lancers
which has occupied the Fort 'Capanas," and such
other troops regular or volunteer. as can be MADE
Tt is stated on excellent authority that Vamesada
is DESTROYS Of being relieved highly probable thing
IA circumstances have combined to place him IN a
very embarrassing position. Going To the east on
the supp0sition that the difficulties there were sus-
ceptlbe OF peaceful solution. or If otherwise, that
they could he suppressed by small force, he adj
dressed the inhabitants in words of Cancellation and
IN his proclamation OF November 20 at Puerto Prin-
cpe pledged his personal word that the reforms pro-
missed would be brought by the next steamer. This,
though il had no eject upon those already In the
field, undoubtedly had a tendency 10 quiet large
portion OF the restless ones ut home. Two steamers
have arrived from spain since TINS pledge was gwen.
| and Valmaseda undeceived NJ to the strength OF
the Instruction, finds his word Ialsihed through
the dilatorness OF the government aud himself
without force sufficient to cope with the lnSurrec
ton. His plan OF the campaign, too was entirely DIFF
erent from that which, Dy order OF the Captain Gen.
eral he had adopted. He was in favor Of concen-
tratng the entire available force for operations
against tue insurgents, OF which his superior did not
approve and 50 divided the troops, sending 900
men here and 800 there 70 occupy important points
and operate in detail. The effect OF this already ap
pears the entire naturalization of the power Of the
government. IL ~ more than rumored that the
relations between the Captain General and his sec
ond not Of the most friendly character and that
the former Is not careful that the other should gain
the glory OF suppresslng the Instruction. Mean
while. according to latest accounts, Valmaseda ~
awaiting reinforcenents III Nueyitas.
synopsis OF OGlcinI Observation-Disclosures Of