The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-25
CUBAN REBELS
Influence Gaining Advantage
for Them In Their Fight.
News From Cuba Show Affairs to Be
in a Chaotic State.

able 20 give more authentic accounts OF
the Cuban insurreotion than any yet re-
solved
Among them them was man who has
been at Mansanilla from Jan. to March
~, excepting occasional visits TO the In
terror. He states that the uprising oc'
Cured simultaneously throughout the
province Of Santiago Feb "a Next day
General Lachambre arrived ct Guam
tanAmo, from Santiago. with 200 Spanish
soldiers, returning to Santiago on the soth
with . part OF the same troops HIS
reason was unknown.
The chief Of the rebels around Guam
oanamo IL Henry Brooks Some state
that he is insane, and others think him
very able, but all concede his bravery, de-
termination and efficiency in the use OF
firearms. He has no Americans with him
Since the FIRST outbreak he has been joined
by Periquo Perez, q very good soldier.
They have 600 men at Guantanamo.
In Santiago province there are 6Oo0 men
under arms. The opinion is that should
Puerto Psincipe rise, as planned upon,
this would win q strong force OF deter
mined men, increasing the insurgents to
about 1000 men.
spaniards Ambushed.
About 30 miles from Santiago, near
Elcobrs, 40o Spanish troops were on March
lb smbushed by an insurgent band under
command Of Pallacio. The Spaniards'
loss was exceedingly heavy. They were
routed and the Cubans notified the Span
ish authorities to send for the dead and
wounded. The number Of the Cuban
band 10 unknown.
Guillormon, who has q band in the
vicinity Of Cristo, was seen by the passen-
gers and interviewed. He Is leader OF
strength and the government forces fear
and watch him. They have circulated re-
ports that Gulllermon died recently of d.
abetes. He was o government employe
under the Congo treaty, but has renounced
his employment for the present insurrec-
tion. That his band is well equipped IL Is
positively known
The aloalde (mayor) Of Irmaza. at the
6rst outbreak, received orders from the
governor of Santiago province to collect
ali arms possible from the inhabitants,
which he did, and then 6ed to meet Gull
lermon at an appointed place In the noun
tains of Amador
Gusrra's Power.
Guerra under command OF Masso, Is
considered the bravest insurgent leader
He hovers near Manzanilla, commanding
600 well.armed cavalry. About March IL
hs ransackcd Champuegla village, which
oonsists Of about 700 inhabitants and
which was guarded by % Spanish SOL
diers.
The commanding lieutenant was cap
turod while absent from the garrison, but
refused to give up the arms OF the FORTH.
cation, which was surrounded, and upon
A. nain al,
arms Of the barracks were surrendered.
This happened In midday.
That night after the insurgents had
rone. fresh Spanish troops arrived. The
Surrondering lieutenant was arrested by
them ana sent to prison. The Guerra
band carried Spanish flag with diagonal
white stripe.
A great many ex-Spanish soldiers are
with Guerra and Masso. Four miles from
Nanssnilla, Guerra captured all the arms
from the plantations. In Manzanilla the
volunteers and citizens are constantly
fearing capture. The entrances to it are
ruardod and no one allowed to pass the
estss st night. Those entering during
ths day are compelled to surrender their
niach6tes or other arms to guards The
streets are constantly patrolled at night
Some OF the richer stores have erected
opposlte their stands small turreted
towers, with their round bodies projecting
into the streets from corners, so that loop
holes command tho four directions on the
streets, The towers are Of stone, IA
inches thick, about 10 feet high and l2
feat diameter. Four have been erected In
Manzanilla, where six old turrets of the
former revolution have been repaired, and
several impromptu towers have been con-
etructed. The same work Is being done
q Bayomo for the protection Of property,
the owners Of adjacent property paying
therefor.
Plotters at Work.
Amador Guerra has charge of the coast
from Manzanilla TO Cape Cruz, 90 miles OF
Cuba's richest territory. The latest re-
ports are that the insurgent forces have
withdrawn into the interior TO plan an at.
tack, 1t Is thought, upon Santiago.
Colonel Santociida has arrived at Man
sanilla from Santiago and is in command
Of the Manzanilla section Of the Spanish
troops, as Masso ! of the Cuban forces.
6antocilda was In command Of 100 soldiers.
who. after o fight at Baire. started for
Msnzanilla. When passing Bayamo, and
about five miles distant, he was ambushed
By nearly 400 insurgents. The fire was so
0ercs that they were compelled to form a
hollow square TO protect themselves from
each direction.
The Spanish ranks were fearfully
moved down, while the Cuban losses
were not insignificant Among the latter
Rodriguss, an aide Of Mssso. was killed.
Had II not been for the timely arrival OF
Spanish troops from Bayamo the band Of
6paniards would have been total loss.
This assertion was made In person by San
tocilda to passenger interviewer This
conflict was the one seen from the house
tops OF Bayamo and occurred March 10.
At the battle of Los Negros the govern
ment reports that they defeated the in
eurgents. This was not so, as the battle
was an even draw.
Another encounter at vigueto. 10 miles
from Mansanilla. confirms previous re.
porta
On March 10 the Spanish troops at
tempted to regain possession Of Yara, now
I'm the hands OF insurgents, but were forced
70 withdraw after spirited siege, losses
unmsnt toned
Around Canto river the whole coun,rv