The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-12-27
THE CUBANS ADVANCE
THE INSURGENT MOVEMENT
UPON HAVANA STILL
CONTINUES,
CAMP0S HOLDS COUNCIL OF WAR

MatanZaS occupy Advantageous Pos
sitions, and that the Cubans VIII
be Compelled Either TO Fight De-
cisive Battle or Surrender-- otwith-
standing this the Insurgents are
Marching on Toward the Capital.
HAVANA, Dec 26.-Since the arrival
here, last night. of Captain General
Martinez de Campos, from Matanzas,
he has been in conference with leading
military and naval officers and the civil
dignitaries. They assembled at the
Palace last night and during the course
of a number of patriotic speeches
pledged their unconditional support
to the government in its efforts to sup
press the insurrection and promised to
do everything possible in the way of
moral and actual assistance.
Senior Galvez, President of the Au-
tonomist party, during the course of Il
speech which was warmly applauded,
advised the Captain General not to eX-
pose himself to the fire of the insur-
gents who, the speaker claimed, made
war against the lives and property of
civilians, never making a stand long
enough to cause an engagement be-
tween themselves and the troops and
adopting all methods of savage war
fare.
News from the front seems to be in
terrupted both by rail and telegraph,
and no information was obtainable
concerning the movements of the in
surgents to-day. The Captain General,
upon his arrival here, announced that
the Spanish troops in Matanzas occu-
pied advantageous positions and that
the Cubans would either be compelled
to fight a pitched battle in that pro-
vince or surrender.
1t is not generally believed here,
however, that the march of Gomez and
Maceo upon Havana has really been
stopped, and that they are in retreat.
In support of this, Il is said that if
Gomez and Maceo were really retreat
ing. the Government would not be slow
in making public every item of news
obtainable concerning this feature of
the hitherto triumphant march of the
insurgents from the province of Puerto
Principe, through the province of
Santa Clara, into the province of Ha-
vana. in spite of the numerous columns
of Spanish troops in the territory trav-
ersed
The last news of the movements of
the Spanish columns was that they
are heading for Guananbana, the head
quarters recently evacuated by Cam
pos situated not far from MatanZas
In the meanwhile, active prepara-
tions are being made here for the de-
fense of the city and for forwarding
to the front all the troops which can
be spared. 1t is understood that the
Spanish columns in the rear of the in
surgent army have been ordered to
concentrate as quickly as possible a
bout the frontier of Matanzas this
morning and every effort is to be made
10 prevent the retreat of the Cubans
into Santa Clara.
While these preparations are being
made to apparently stop the insur-
gents from escaping back into Santa
Clara. the lano Notifications of Havana
are receiving attention day and night
A number of additional earthworks
have been thrown up during the last
month also, and these are being hasti-
~ completed and supplied with guns
as rapidly as possible. The maga
zines are being plentifully supplied
with ammunition and the outposts of
the Spanish troops around Havana are
being strengthened and more securely
fortified.
Throughout the night and all day
there has been an air of hurry and
anxiety about different headquarters
here which does not seem to indicate
that supreme authorities are in any
way satisfied that the insurgents are
retreating and if military activity goes
for anything. most determined efforts
are being made TO prevent surpirse.