New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-17
CUBA.

GRANTING REFORMS IN PORTO RICO.
HAVANA, Jan. 15.-The Gdceta to-day publishes
dispatches from the interior announcing the surren
der of insurgents in large numbers.
The Spanish troops in the Central Department are
on the march to attack the insurgents.
The Spanish mail steamer which sailed to-day took
a memorial signed by thousands of Spaniards, re-
questng the Cortes to defer the granting of liberties
and reforms in Porto Rico. The document gives as
reason for this request that the granting Of these
privileges will prove highly injurious to the cause of
Spain in Cuba be used weapon against the Span
iards, and weaken the power of the Government.
The residents of Cuba at present do not desire such
reforms, the country is unprepared to receive them
and the people prefer to wait until Cuba is repre-
scented in the Cortes.
FIGHTING NEAR VILLA CLARA-IN THE EASTERN
DEPARTMENT - IN THE JURISDICTIONS OF
REMEDIES, ESPRIT -SANTO, AND TRINIDAD
HEAVY BATTLE NEAR SANTA CLARA-GREAT
FIGHT NEAR JOTURITO-SPANISH OFFICIAL
REPORTS-RUMOR OF PUELLOS DEFEAT.
HAVANA, Jan. S.-The Spanish official reports
and orders Of the Captain give considerable
light the actual situation In the first place, under
date Of the 9th inst, His Excelency issues proclama
tion for tho publication of which he will most probably
learn within few days that he has subjected himself to
ridicule &C least abroad the second paragraph OF
this document he that the danger passed.
and, though know that the troops are engaged IN
combats with the insurgents every day, he makes an
argument 10 show that the recent arrivals OF fresh
soldiers are attributed TO the danger OF loss OF
territory but to the noble patriotism OF the Spanish
people all OF whom wish lend helping hand in one
way or other. toward suppressing the insurrecton
Now when IL is known that this same Captain General
has written letter after letter during the last three
months TO the Peninsula begging for detachments OF
troops this statement absurd especially as thousands
of ailbrds have been sent to Cuba, having secured
tha froT
standing that they indemnify the cause of law
and order by aiding in their establishment In Cuba
After stating that the rebellion specifically at an end
his Excellency proceeds TO explain himself by saying
that the instruction has been reduced to parties who
are wandering about the mountainous parts OF the
island" 1t well known that the insurgents have been
doing ali the while, precisely what the CaptainGenera
says they doing, viz wandering about In parties
attacking the spaniards whenever 1t suits them, and
then when pressed retiring to the mountains This is
lust what the Domncans did or two years with the best
disciplined soldiers OF spain, whom they finally eN-
PEELED. Let see however, whether these
movements Of the insurgents confined en-
tirey TO tho mountainous portions OF Cuba The
Impartial Of Trinidad OF % January, says THAT the
national troops that region engaged In putting fire
to swamps and woody places Of the country that
on yesterday there very great and extensive
fire IN the direction OF the Mana River, which was tho
work OF the contraguerlas OF Martinez. and done with
the ohect OF driving out the assassns ncendares and
ritory and MOREOVER with the intention OF hndenng
them hereafter from setting fire to aud destroying the
sugar estates that region The whole country In the
direction OF Cabagan has been recently on fire. as well as
that near the Pico de Potrelo" The same paper says
that fight occurred the day before between Martinez
and the rebels.
We now turn to the vos del Comereio of EsprusantO,
which contains fierce proclamation of Goyeneche'
This paper begins by denouucng the rebels who are
roaming over the Jurisdiction OF Moron and Espirtu'
santo burning, running and destroying everything De-
fore them This gloomy picture OF evils has been brought
about by handful Of ambitious men, spurious sons OF
tins SOIL at head figure certain criminals who have
been expelled society, and who have nothing to
lose Terrible punishment is, he says to be visited upon
those who shall still persist In In the{samc jour
nal his orders nrst fecouhtng tha al
Bamo his troops had had severe fight the estate La
Nina where 200 insurgents had met them The Leuon'
ant Colonel Seas is reported, on the 18th ut to nave
DESTROYED five ranches commander OF the detachment
| Cbambas is mentioned as having destroyed others;
different other officers at the head Of attachments had
fought the rebels Cuchara. Francsquito Jatbonco
Purial and Naranjo. I'm the 5lefra MONACO
the rebels and spaniards are reported as
having fought desperately for the two days 0 2lst ana
?2d Of December This is not very far from Trinidad.
The spaniards clam to have destroyeda large number
of ranches and TO have killed number Of men, On the
sd atb and 2th Of the month the forces passed
between the hills OF Carpnteros and destroyed fifteen
ranches Here evidence then that the Instruction Is
terribly alive parts Indicated 50 much 80 that the
spapards have thought IL prudent and necessary TO re
sort 10 the Cuban method Of by fire and destruction
The ranches matter OF course are all III the Naoys'
and the richest lands
Iopez Camara one OF the best officers in the spanish
army makes an official report TO the CapalnGeneral,
under date Of Dec This officers camp was near JO-
turo not far from Santiago de Cuba. Yesterday he
SAYS ga very important battle took place" He men
tons that on The part the spanards there were en-
oaeed the columns Of Corona aud Reus e 900 men, and
section OF artillery These placed upon the adJoin-
ing hills which overlooked the enemy's foruncauoh'
"The enemy had, moreover, erected parapets IN the
passes and believed himself perfectly secure. He
our attack and approaching We were salued
with q fire OF great vigor the left aud right Inc
battle was contested with great tenacity ON the part OF
the rebels "our srtilerlss conpored themselves as
brave men, and displayed great intelligence In the use OF
their arm They la the interior Of the para
nets Of the enemy by means esades and grapeshot
Not whstanding the enemy resisted hold has posi-
tons and the shouts which followed the discharge
of our cannon showed that he had lost none
intrenchments" tof course mott terrible attack WAS
then made upon the enemy. according to Camaih' ne
was bombarded and assaulted FROM all sides lie at
lacked us ut tho same time from all sides me
enemy he says further thereafter retired Inc
suauars lost some IS killed and wounded, according to
his statement THE battalion OF Leon ianother ~"
mem came up resnforcemsnts, but were he" " :.
serve" Exactly; that is Just why the Cubaps retr"d
They whipped the 1900 aud artillery but thought
dent 10 retire when they another 1000 arr'ns @er