The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-23
TWO-ThirdS of the Island Said
to Be in the Possession
of Natives.
GENERAL CAMPos DISCOURAGED.
No Money to Carry on the War and
Troops Are In a State Of
Starvation.

IL Il
by the steamer Mascotte report that the
first public political execution took place
at Matanzas on the Goth inst. at A. NJ.
The insurgent Captain Domingo Mujica
was captured recently near Joveltanos,.
court -martialed and shot as traitor to
Spain. Mujica was young man and came
of one of the best families in the Province
of Matanzas. His execution, it is feared,
will cause the insurgents to follow the ex-
ample set by the Spanish officers, and in
the future all Spaniards falling into their
hands will meet with Mujica's fate.
Captain Garrido, Spanish officer, dis
covered in Santiago de Cuba an insurgents
hospital where seventy-four wounded
rebels had taken refuge, and put them to
death, using the mach etc. Such barbarous
acts are causing many prominent Cubans,
heretofore loyal to the Government, TO join
the insurgents. II is reported in military
circles that the insurgents are in possession
of that part of the island lying between
Colon and Cape Maysi, amounting to about
two-thirds of the island, and that Spain
may as well call home her troops. They
are not able to cope with the insurgents,
who are gaining strength every day. The
town of Sancti Spiritus is almost COM
pletely deserted.
1t is reported that Martinez Campos in
an interview with General Arderius, his
brother-in-law, stated that he feared Cuba
was lost. Campos said he did not have
the money necessary to carry on the war,
and that his troops were poorly fed and
were completely demoralized.
Yesterday only two steamers were in the
port of Havana, the Mascotte and the Ar
ansas. AL others are reducing their sched-
uIes and are still sustaining heavy losses.
Business throughout the city is stagnated.
There is but little tobacco in the market
and exorbitant prices are charged. Mer-
chants say that no matter which way the
war may turn the outlook for Havana is
gloomy.
Private letters contradict the report of
the battle between Sanchez and Planca, as
published in the Havana papers. The
letters state that the battle took place on
the 18th at Placetas. The insurgents had
1400 men and the Spanish 600. The battle
lasted four hours. The insurgents lost
sixty-two and the troops 800 killed and
wounded.
When the news of the battle reached
Havana many who had enlisted to go to
the front refused to go. ALI telegraphic
communication between Trinidad and
Sancti Spiritus has been destroyed. The
insurgents under the command of Ber-
mudas, in the early part of last week, en-
tered the town of Iona Cruz Las Villas
district, captured the garrison and after
sacking the town set fire to it.
On the 18th the insurgents burned the
sugar plantation of Eustaguio, near Puerto
Principe.
Martinez Campos arrived at Santa Clara
Sunday morning and will fortify the town.
TAMPA, FLA, Aug. 22-Among the
passengers arriving from Cuba tonight
was gentleman who reports that when
he left the island everything was in readi-
ness for the formation of the Provisional
Government, which would be conducted at
Najasa by conference of delegates from
the various districts now in open rebel
lion. 1t is understood that General Maceo,
the distinguished leader, will be named as
President General Gomez will command
the movements anu tne MdIqulS ue Las
tenta Lucia will be chosen as secretary.
Before the dissolution of the convention
full Cabinet will be appointed.
HAVANA, CUBA, Aug. pa dispatch
from Santa Clara gives an account of
battle fought yesterday in the streets of
the village of Barajagua. A large band of
rebels under Chief Rego made an attack
upon the village, which was stoutly re-
sisted by detachment of troops stationed
there. A heavy exchange of firing con-
tinued for two hours, when the insurgents
retreated, after settina fire to a number of
houses. The fire spread rapidly and the