St. Paul daily globe., 1895-12-26


shipped here from Spain, are suffering
terribly from the effects of the eli
mate and unusual exposure in spite of
the fact that this is the so-called
healthy season in Cuba Yellow fever,
smallpox and malarial fever have told
terribly upon these unfortunate troops,
and, In addition, they are utterly unfit
for campaigning in this land of bad
roads, high grass, swamps and low
bush wood. They simply have not the
strength to push steadily on after the
Cubans, who, as a rule, are thorough
ly acclimated men, accustomed to the
country, familiar with all its peculiari-
ties and able to bear long marches
without suffering too severely.
2 Then, again, the Spanish troops are
thoroughly discouraged, their hearts
are not in the fight in spite of the gal
lant manner in which they respond to
viva Espana," and dash at the enemy
only to be shot down or cut down or
else to find the Cubans disappear, as if
adorned with wings. The Cubans, on
the other hand, are animated with the
spirit of patriotism, with the all-absorb-.
Ing desire for freedom, with the fire
Which drove the British before the
American patriots under the leadership
of Washington.
is HAVANA IN DANGER?
While these facts cannot be denied
there Is one feature of the march of the
insurgents upon Havana which can
not be overlooked. Admitting their
number, 1900 men-can they capture
q!his city and can they hold it if they
do obtain possession of it?
There are the strong garrison Of this
place, the high walls of the forts and
the Spanish fleet to be reckoned with
1t must be quickly done or fail alto
gether, it would appear, for it seems
together some kind of force and start
impossible that Campos cannot gather
in pursuit of Gomez and Maceo
In any case the next few days should
decide everything. Generals Valdez
and Luque are pushing on for Saba
milla del Encomendadon, directly
south of Matanzas, at the head of the
best troops in that province; but the
Cuban army is believed to be to the
westward of Sabamilla. After the
battle of Coliseo yesterday the insur-
gents, it is definitely known, moved
rapidly westward, passing to the south
of Limonar while some of them were
engaged with the troops commanded by
Campos. The Cuban army went by
Coliseo, MADAM, ToSca and Subidero,
burning the plantations of Poer, Atre-
video, Siento, Cuavalejos, Altamosal,
5Aguedita and Retribucion as they
swept onward.
The last named plantation is situated
"a h
to and south of Matanzas, proving be-
yond doubt that the Cubans have con-
tinued their march on Havana; for
/. Ybarra is well to the westward of
Guanabana, where Campos passed last
night.
The insurgents are believed to have
camped for the night not far from lie
two lines of railroads running close
together between Aquacate and
Matanzas, connecting Havana with
Matanzas via Jaruco, and, by more
roundabout way, via Guinez, Bejucal
and Havana.
The insurgent scouts are reported to
have been seen near San Francisco de
7 Paul to the west of Santa Ana and not
far from the most southerly of the
1.-TWO railroads connecting Havana with
slMatanzas, and the Cuban advance
guard cannot be far behind them.
Consequently the advance guard of the
army commanded by Gomez and Maceo
Is less than fifty miles from Havana
and apparently stedily advancing.
I Between the insurgents and Havana
there is only one town of Importance,
Jaruco, and 1t Is an open question
whether Campos can get there from
Guanabana or Matanzas where he IS
supposed to be before the Cubans have
passed that point.
HAVANA FORTIFYING.
In this city every preparation is be-
ing made to give the insurgents a hot
reception. All the outlying posts have
been strengthened, the new fortifica-
tions are being hurriedly pushed to
completion, ammunition is being over
hauled, guns have been made ready
and the troops are kept constantly on
the alert, although the Spanish Of
ficers laugh at the idea of the insur-
gents being able to approach Havana
But any person who, three weeks ago,
would have hinted at the possibility of
the Cubans being able within that time
to push through the provinces of Santa
the province of Havana might have
been promptly locked up as lunatic.
Yet there are the Cubans scouting
near the borders Of the province of
Havana, having passed Campos and the
picked troops Of Spain, civil guards,
volunteers and guerrillas.
Everybody here is asking what the
next step will be. Can Gen. De Campos
catch up to, or check the enemy in
any way? The next two days should
furnish the answer to all questions on
the subject.
In spite Of the rapid approach of the
Cubans there is no very great out
ward excitement here, although among
the public officials and the masses Of
the population there is an air of
anxious expectancy which tells the tale
better than any words could.
The hurried movements of the troops
garrisoning the forts, the going and
coming of orderlies, the hasty dispatch
Of reinforcements to the front, the
general state Of feverish unrest, all
show that the news from Matanzas
is of the most Importance and that
the end of the campaign, one way or
the other, is believed to be approach
ing.
Even the most stubborn of the
Spanish officers agree that the march
of Gomez and Maceo across Santa
Clara and Matanzas is most remark
able military feat to have accomplish
ed within three weeks and in spite of
all the forces Spain could throw across
their path.
A boat from Jamaica containing ten
men supposed to be filibusters has
landed ON the coast of Santiago de
Cuba.
GETTING VERY CLOSE.
Christmas day wore away in Havana
with continued anxiety in all circles.
The news of the morning of the contin-
ued advance of the insurgent forces
was conirrAed by details coming in
through the day and was embellished
by flying rL,,lors of the close approach
Of Gomez and his army. The military
authorities themselves are much at
fault as to where the enemy will be
met. They continued throughout the
day to express an utter disbelief that
an ut no cODte tod IN