The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-26


zas. and the Cuban advance guard cannot
he far behind them. Consequently. the
advance guard Of the army commanded BY
Gomez and MaCeo is less than fifty miles
from Havana. and apparently steadily adj
yanCing. Between the insurgents and
Havana there is only one town OF impor-
-tance JarIco. and il Is an open question
whether CamI1os can get there from Guar
abana or MatanZas. where ne Is supposed
70 be. before the Cubans have passed that
point
In this city every preparation is being
made to give the insurgents a hot recep-
tion. All the outlying posts have been
strengthened. new fortifications have been
pushed TO completion, ammunition is be-
ing overhauled. guns have been made
ready. and the troops are kept constantly
on the alert although the Spanish officials
laugh at the idea of the insurgents being
able 10 approach Havana But any person
who. three weeks ago, would have hintei
al the possibility Of the Cubans being able
within that time 10 push through the prov
iaees OF Santa Clara and Matanzas to the
borders OF the province Of Havana might
have been promptly locked UP as a luna
tic. Yet there are little bands in the prov
ince of Havana that have passed Camp,t
and the picked troops OF Spain civil
guaIis and guerrihas. and everybody here
is asking what the next steps will be In
there Is no very great outward 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 do.
The hurried movements Of the troops,
the garrisoning Of the forts. the going
and coming Of orderlies. the hasty dis
patch Of reinfOrcements 10 the front. the
general state of feverish unrest all show
that the news from Matanzas is Of the ut
most importance, and that the end of the
campaign. one way or the other, is be-
lieved 10 he approaching.
Even the most stubborn of the Spanish
officers agree that the march OF Gomez
and Maceo across Santa Clara and Matan-
zas Is most remarkable military feat 10
have been accomplished within three
weeks, and in spite of all the force Spain
could throw across their path.
4 boat from Jamaica. containing ten
men, supposed TO be ilibusters. has land
cd on the coast OF Santiago de Cuba.
Christmas day wore away here with con-
tnued anxiety IN all circles. the news OF
the morning. of the continued advance Of
the insurgent forces. being confirmed by
details coming IN through the dag and en-
oell'shed hying rtlmors Of the close ap-
proach Of Gomez and his army As a mat
ter of fact, there Was very little accurate
Information OF ths exact whereabouts Of
the insurgents or the course they were
taking. The military authorities themselves
are much at fault as 20 where the enemy
VIII be met. They continued throughout
the day 10 express an utter disbelief that
an attack is contemplated on Havana it
self. and their confidence did much 10
strengthen that of other residents of the
city. Much is still made hy the authorities
Of the engagement at C0lseo plantation,
which they Insist was a sEral victory over
the forces of Gomez After this eek.
they assert. tine insurgents VIII not dare 10
advance upon Havana.
The fact remains that the westward
course Of the insurgents continues. and ac-
tive preparations are gong on for the i'm
mediate defense OF the city. II was an
nOuuced during the afternoon that Capt.
Gen. CampCs vas expected 10 arrive in
Havana at o'clock from near Matanzas.
making the seventh change of his head
quarters ln two weeks or since the ua-
checked progress Of the insurgents through
Santa Clara and Matanzas provinces was
commenced. and always TO the westward.
ot nearer Havana. This fact in Itself is
regarded as highly significant OF the cr3ti-
cal situation of Havana. and as a relin-
Quishment OF any hope on the part of the
Spanish commander OF bringing the insur-
gents To a standstiN outside JaruCo. or at
any point between Matanzas and Havana.
The arrival here Of the captain general
makes il evident that the base Of opera
tons against the Insurgents must now he
Havana direct. II it IS true that Gen.
Campos has deliberately suffered the ad-
vance of the insurgents into the oEeu
country from whore they now are, for the
turuose ~ CLOSING n behind them wh le
d. attacks them from Havana, thls crus1-
INK them between the upper and neither
mtl}stoues. h.s arrival in Havana shows
that the hour for his coup has arrived
How mach of an available force the Span