Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-24
DARTOLA MAsSO ELECTED.
The Newly Chosen President of the
Cuban Republic.

Cuban Republic.
Letters received at Tampa, Fla, yester-
day, by prominent Cuban leaders here
state that on the 10th instant a constitu-
ticnal convention was held at Najasa, at
which Bartola Masso was elected president
of the Cuban republic, Marquis of Santa
Lucia minister of interior. Thomas Estrada
Palmo representative of the government in
the exterior. and Maxine Gomez general
in chief
Some time ago when delegates were
called, Santa Lucia was mentioned as pres
ioent of the convention, and the impress.
sion prevailed that he was the destined
constitutional president. Masso was born
sixty years ago at Manzanllo. He is high
ly connected and thoroughly educated. He
left Manzanillo February "a last, and was
considered the head Of the revolution in
the eastern department When this &C.
cured Callega sent committee of promi-
nent autonomists and some chiefs of the
former revolution to dissuade him. but he
was not pliable: The committee went
who. during his term, published decree
to put to death any person who should
propose anything but Cuban independence.
Masso received him, but learning his pur-
pose of discussion, told him to leave the
camp Immediately, or his own decree would
be enforced.
Spanish Troops Defeated.
News of battle in which the Spanish
were defeated by the Cubans and lost 300
men has been received in New York. It
came in a letter written September IA, by
Pedro Rovira, a Spanish private who de-
serted to the Cuban ranks at Pera Lego,
when Campos was defeated In later en-
gagement Rovira was captured by the
Spanish, court-martialed and sentenced to
receive 400 lashes and to be shot. The SEN
tence was carried out while Rovira was
shouting for Cuban liberty. The Span
iards were greatly incensed against him, as
he had killed three of their men before be-
ing captured.
The letter says that all Santiago, where
the execution took place. was incensed
describe hard-fought battle: "A man who
was sick in a hospital at Casimbra es-
CO ped to Guantanin in August and told the
Spaniards that Gen. Jose Maceo was sick
in the Casimbra hospital, and had only
thirty men with him. On the Both Of Au-
gust Maceo heard that 200 men. one bat
tslion corps. squadron OF cavalry with
two pisces Of artillery, were marching on
him. Maceo mounted his horse, and from
the mountain of Santa Maria viewed the
er emy's position. He ordered eight of his
men to keep up firing from ambuscade to
deceive the Spanish, and meanwhile he had
word sent to his brother, Gen. Antonio
Maceo.
Francis, and Gen. Jose Maceo fortified his
few men in a plantation house near the
hospital He wished to guard the right
side of the road leading to Baccalano,
which skirted the hospital The Spanish
were slowly closing in on him when Gen.
Ceb,.cco and Cuban regiment came to
his relief and made the enemy evacuate
their position. .
"a not engagement followed, in which the
SPANISH regained their position, but were
unable to hold it long, as Gen. Antonio
Maceo suddenly appeared on the scene and
with Cebreco and Col Mieunint, succeeded
in wrestling it from Canalle and Carrido,
I'D tho Srar
now made a brilliant charge, and for the
third time managed to secure the position,
but in the engagement the Spanish captain
of artillery was mortally wounded ana
they slowly withdrew, the CuDans hghting
This battle lasted from 5 O'Clock am. to
1 o'clock pm 1t was resumed in the early
afternoon, however, and is described as
follows:
Gen. Antonio Maceo cleverly turned the
Spanish column and gained the pass of
Baccano He then massed his troops before
the Spanish vanguard, While Gen. Jose
Maceo got his regiment in the rear
"A very desperate encounter enSued. 1t
ragged until o'clock at night, when it was
discontinued until the dawn of the next
day September l. The Spanish then COM
lnenced to retreat until they reached the
Igubanabano field, where they were able to
use their cavalry, which was impossible on
the mountains Of Santa Maria.
Cubans Used Dynamite Bombs.
"They die not gain any advantage, how
ever, and after burning their provisions
they continued to retreat to Mountanin,
which place they entered In scattered
groups"
The Cubans had no cavalry, but made eff
fective use of dynamite bombs, which, the
letter states. struck terror to the enemy.
In the engagement the Cuban loss was 40
men wounded and killed The Spaniards
lost over 800 men, 40 horses and large
store of provisions and munitions of war.
The Cubans are still capturing stragglers
and picking up arms near Mountanin.
Antonio Maceo returned to his camp at
Escandel. Three miles away at Caney the
Cubans can see their flag floating over his
camp.
Col. Pegeda, at the head of 1000 Span
iards, we'll provisioned left Santiago for
Combrey today September 40. Spaniards
are deserving every day and Joining the
Cubans.
The Spaniards after the battle sent q
cable to Spain headed 1.-The defeat and
capture of Jose Maoeo." and also asked for
the reward and advance of the officers in
the engagement.
Knocked Down by Mail Wagon.
Celia Cooper. colored, three years old,