New-York tribune., 1874-01-24
from tho fact that touches the Spanish pocket. is

from tho fact that touches the Spanish pocket. is
the finances of the island The resolution TO raise
forced loan and Issue securities n the shape of bonds
to those who will be obliged to pay. has created
much dissatisfaction among all classes The inhab-
tants complain of too great tax already, and sav
that they are not in position to meet the demand.
but it is probable that they will have to pay their
contributions M money must be realized some
where An American merchant speaking on the
subject OF the finances. said that when IL was
proposed to raise first loan of $20OOO0OO. the for
eigners claimed that while they would probably pay
fair proportion of tho assessment. they yet pos
sesscd the right to refuse contributions if they felt
so disposed. This was accorded to them but this
loan of 900 comes in such positive form that
they will probably pay their proportion of 1t as self
interest demands If they decline they will prOba
ably DO refused license to do business and perhaps
be driven from the island. IL such extreme meas
ures are not rcsorted to- they will at all events be
come unpopular and lose business. or this proposed
loan of $50 100000 onethird is supposed to DO In
tended for the payment and equipment OF troops
now in the field against the insurgents. According
to all accounts the Spanish troops in the Eastern
Department need payment. food and equipment
sadly.
Further details Of the military operations in the
interior of the island from Spanish sources are to tho
effect that some time ago the insurgents attempted
to attack Msniabon. but were met by Col. Esponda
and forced TO fly On the 7th of January they reap
peared in the vicinity of CarrolittO and began to
sack and burn some ranches. AS soon as tkis was
known in Holguin Col. Esponda, with body of
men, marched TO the scene of the operations OF the
Cubans, and on the 9th. found them in ambush. in
good positions. at Los Meiones, to tho number of
1900 men. He attacked them. the engagement be-
ginning at 3 a. m and lasting until p. m The
Spanish troops were eventually obliged to retreat
with the loss of four officers killed. Ia wounded. and
about 100 soldiers killed and wounded. The loss of
the insurgents was unknown, but the Spaniards
captured three Of their dead and wounded. among
whom was Pepillo Castellanas chief of the detach-
ment Of nsurgent cavalry. After leaving their dead
and wounded at Juncun. the Spaniards again
started in pursuit of the insurgents. but without
effect. The Spaniards claim that they were Obliged
TO retreat owing to the superior number of the in
surgents but Cuban advices report that Esponda
only escaped with 80 out of 1900 men. and that he
himself was shot in the nose. They are very much
gratiied at the result of the engagement
Advices received from confidential sources state
that Gen. Portfolio telegraphed to the Captain-Gen-
eral on the 18th of January that he could pro-
ceed but very Intellectually against the insurgents
unless thoroughly reinforced. This is regarded as
Government realizing the necessity of doing some
thing, has just concluded preparations for draft of
10000 mon Such measure as that would of course
include great many Cubans and the policy OF fur
nishng them with arms, which would be used
against Spain at the first opportunity is regarded as
absurd The real object is said to be determination
to drive Cubans from the island, and thus free the
Government from an element which is regarded as
dangerous and only awaits an opportunity to be-
come openly reasonable. The dissensons among
the Cubans in New York have given great satisfac-
tion to the Spanish officials who regard such
troubles very valuable auxliaries to their opera
tions against the insurgents. The departure of
GOWN under implication of fraud, has been enjoyed.
and the prospective bitterness between the ad-
herents of Csneros. Aldama, Cespedes, and Quesada
is keenly appreciated by them. but bitterly deporod
by the Cubans. who see in their discussions tho
waste of much vital and moral force