The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-09-20
WAR IMPLEMENTS
All That Cuban Insurgents
Stand in Need Of.

Have Plenty OF Sympathizers and Are
Literally Supplied with Cash-Span-
tards Compelled to Evacuate Banes. III
BOSTON, Sept. 1s.-The Spaniards have
evacuated Banes, the most important fruit
port ON the northern coast of Cuba; in
fact, it is the port from which nearly all
the bananas which come to Boston are
shipped. The Spanish soldiers made q
feeble attempt to defend the place, but the
patriots were too many for them.
The British steamer Taft, which arrived
at this port yesterday with cargo OF
bananas, brings the first account of the
evacuation of Banes, and also brings re-
ports of most serious state OF affairs In
that part Of the island.
The Taft reports that the entire north
ern section of the island Is now IN the
hands of the insurgents, and Gibara itself,
one of the strongest and best fortified
cities on the coast, Is in a pertlous posi-
ton, although the Spaniards have between
1000 and 5000 soldiers at this point and
two men-ofwar in the harbor.
When it became known that the rebels
threatened Banes, M. Dumois, who prac-
tically owns the town and who Is one OF
the wealthiest planters on the island, sent
10 the Spanish officials at Gibara, about 40
miles distant, an urgent request for troops,
and the Taft was placed at the disposal OF
the government for the transportation OF
the troops. About 100 soldiers were hastily
nut on board the Taft and shipped to
Banes, but after they had arrived there
they found that the rebels had already
sacked the town and were camped on the
outskirts to the number of about 5000.
There were only about 10 Spanish soldiers
In the fort at Banes, but they made
show of resistance until overwhelmed by
numbers they were forced to fall back
When the Taft arrived with REINFORCE
ments q council of war was held, and 1t
was decided to at once evacuate the port
to the rebels, and the entire force was
Taken Back to Gibara.
The officers of the Taft say the Spanish
soldiers, which they took to Banes, were
all mere boys and yet they claimed to
have been in 18 engagements in the vicin-
ity of Gibara The officers further state
that the soldiers were very poorly equipped.
Some of them wore caps, others old
straw hats, and still others had nothing
to wear on their heads
AS soon as the rebels found themselves
In the possession Of Banes they at once cut
all telegraph and telephone wires and at
once began to harrass Gibara, and the
commander of the fort was expecting an
open attack at any moment.
The officers of the Taft say that the
whole country is up in arms and that
everybody favors the rebels. So true is
this that only boys were left in the port of
popaa 70 load and unload the VesSels
The bulk of the male population has
Joined the rebel ranks.
1t is also stated that many Of the rich
planters are in sympathy with the rebels.
The rebels seem to have plenty OF cash,
and the officers Of the Taft say that every
vessel that sails to Cuba Is asked by repre-
sentatives of the insurgents to buy rifles
and cartridges in the United SSsates and
smuggle them to Cuba They will pay in
advance for these, and 1t Is well-known
fact that nearly every vessel that sails to
Cuba smuggles arms to the insurgents.
The officers OF, the Taft were asked to bring
arms and ammunition