New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-04
CUBA.
TROUBLES THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND.
". IL. III.

TROUBLES THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND.
INADEQUATE REPORTS OF TIE BATTLE AL GUAsIMAs
THE sEvEREsT FOUGHT BY THE INSURGENTS
PREMIUM ON GOLD AND EXCHANGE
IrRoM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
Havana March 20-The accounts of the battle OF
Guasimas on the borders of the river san Pedro,
come in very slowly. No official statement of the
battle has as vet been given to the public and what
can be cleaned from private sources goes to show
that has been one of the hardest contested fights
that has taken place between the insurgents and the
Spaniards in this Island. OF the wounded brought
here to Havana most all have received their injuries
by the machete. They report that they were over
two hours fighting at close quarters. BHgadler
Arminan, with the first and third Bngades
of the Second Division, numbering about
5000 men, composed of cavalry, infantry,
and artillery, becoming aware OF the mass
ing of the insurgents under Maxine Gomez marched
forward and on the 18th encountered them III large
forces The attack was Immediately begun by the
Cubans so that Arminan had barely time to form
square, placing his artillery in the center, the cav
alrv being ordered to cut its way through the
enemy s lines and procure achievements at Puerto
Piincipe. The cavalry was fearlully cut up. very
few being left to bring the news of the critical POI
sition of the Spanish column. These succeeded IN
reaching Puerto Principe There pursuers, however,
were close at their heels. Preparations were nlme-
dioely made to send out achievements, and BIga-
der Bascoues with column of 200 started out, but
had hardly gone beyond the suburbs of Puerto Pm
cire before he was attacked by the Cubans. Bas-
cones succeeded in pressing and had another Sc
we're encounter with the insurgents. The D'Grto re-
norris that he finally succeeded hunting his column
with that of Amman.
The losses of the Spanards have been very severe,
and 1t is reported that 40 officers are killed ana
wounded, Both sides fought with great bravery
The CuLans fought with their fearful weapon, the
machete, making dreadful havoc i'll the Spanish
ranks. One of the wounded men. now here IN the
bosn,tal thinks there must have been nearly 1000
dead bodies on the field of battle, and as
the different bodies Of men would surge from
one side to the other they trampled the mangled
corpses under foot The final result of the battle is
AZ vet not known, both the Cubans and Spaniards
claiming the victory. The continued neglect OF the
SPANISH side to give particulars, which they OF ne
cessty must have. augurs unfavorably for them.
An order has lately been issued by POrtO strictly
prohibiting volunteers from gong outside OF the
stockades OF forts TO which they have been detailed
on account of the rapid decrease IN the numbers OF
this body of men; whether they desert to the enemy
or are captured remains mystery, as 10 one has as
vet returned to tell the tale. The insurgent chief,
Maceo with 800 is in the neighborho0d OF Guan-
tanamo at place called Mount Toro 1t appears
that they have succeeded in burning Maniobon, and
are now threatening the valleys OF Guantanamo and
the sugar estates il the neighborhood. Inc Gov
ernor of Santiago de Cuba has sent body of men to
look for them.
One of the steamers plying on the south side of
the Island, while passing Santa Cruz noticed sig
nal from the fort. A boat was sent ashore when it
mad or fha
water the insurgents having cut off the supply.
The steamer furnished the place with all the water
she could spare. The Dia'fO says
About two months ago 1t was suspected that the hid
den enemies Of Spain were propaeating their pan again
10 raise I'D the Cinco Villas where there have been and
still are roaming bands Of highwaymen, headed By the
chiefs Miguel Ramos Reyes Ferrer and the negro Caoba
Of woeful celebrity The agitation grew by degrees
and everything indicated that the Laborantes were
pushing forwardrheir work. The attack ana burning
of the sugar the Trinidad valley and fight
Of the negroes .oonfrned this suspicion There were
burnngs OF canefelds, the appearance OF band at
Camarones another saDto Domingo, stl another
near San Gill and three small groups near Iumento
or spiabo All OF these movements were nearly stimuli
tapeous with the attempt Of the Chief Maxine Gomez
10 pass the Trochs with about 5000 men, in order to
favor movement the result OF which was 20 be gen
era confagration IN the villas, again precipsng its
jurisdiction into ruin aud desolatoD.
This the DiGrO says, has been prevented by the
exertons of Brigadier Pelicer IL the battle OF the
18th las been adverse to the Spaniards, the pro-
gramme marked out by the DGrO will most likely
take place AZ there will be no troops TO hinder
Maxine Gomez from crossing the Trocha.
Captain-General Jovellar, believing that an ounce
OF prevention is better than pound OF cure. took
precautionary measures last evening for protecting
the exchange Offices AS runors of manifestations TO
he made against those institutions were aoat yes
terday afternoon. Word sent to the Spanish
Admiral TO have the marines in readiness for land
inc al a moments notice HOwitzers were mounted
in the bows of the launches OF the Spanish men-of-
war ready TO be landed. Several groups of men
were quietly dispersed last evening, without any dis
turbance and for the present, everything remains
quiet.
Gold and exchange have fallen since yesterday
and are still tending downward. This is attributed
to the banks stopping the discounting OF mercantile
paper, that there is really no money wherewith
10 bny exchange. Spanish merchants who have re-
mttauces to make have resolved not 10 buy any
exchange nor remit anything even if they have the
money until after tie arrival of Concha, which VIII
he about the 4th of April next What magic in
fueDCc COlchas coming can have on the exchange
market is mystery. Gold at noon to-day is quoted
at $40 to 145 per cent prcmium that is the exchange
brokers pay yOn $40 per cent If you have any TO SELL
and charge YOU lH pei cent ii you wish to buy, a
profit of 3 Der cent on every transaction,