The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1895-12-28

| .
WEAKENED BY DISEASE.
Here, however, comes in the weakest
feature OF the campaign Of the Span
iards. The poorly fed, half grown lads
shipped here from Spain are suffering
terribly from the effects Of climate and
unusual exposure, in spite of the fact
that this is the so-called healthy season
in Cuba. Yellow fever, smallpox and
malarial fevers have told terribly upon
these unfortunate troops, and, in ad-
dition, they are utterly unfit for cam
paigning in this land of bad roads, high
grass, swamps and low bushwood. They
simply have not the strength to push
steadily on after the Cubans, who, as a
rule. are thoroughly acclimated men,
accustomed to the country, familiar |
with all it's peculiarities and able to bear !
long marches without suffering severe
ly.
There is one feature of the march of
the insurgents upon Havana which can
not be overlooked. Admitting that they
number $4,000 men, if they capture this
city, and if they hold it, there is strong
garrison at this place, the high walls Of
the fort and the Spanish fleet to be reck-
oned with It must be quickly done or
! fail altogether, it would appear, for 1t
seems impossible that Campos could not
| gather together some kind of force
and start in pursuit of Gomez and Ma
| Geo.
| A FEW DAYS WILL TELL.
| In any case few days should de-
| eide everything. Generals Valdez and
Luque are pushing on for Sabanilla,
| but the Cuban army is believed to be to
the westward of Sabanilla. After the
| battle of Coliseo yesterday the lnsur-
gents moved rapidly westward, passing
to the south of Limonare. While some
of were engaged with the troops COM
manded by Campos, the Cuban army
went by Coliseo, MADAM, Tosca and Su-
n1idero, burning the plantations OF re-
rea, Atrevideo Santo, GuavaleJos, Alta
mosal, Aguadita and Retrlbuclon as
they swept onward. The last named
nlantation is situated between Guiana
hama and Ybarra, close to and soutn OF
Matanzas proving beyond doubt that
tbe Cuhans have continued their marcn
on Havana.
Tn this city every preparation IS pe'
ing made to give the insurgents mol
reception. All the outlying posts nave
heen strengthened, new fortlncaIioiie
are being hurriedly pushed to comple.
tion ammunition is being oVerhauieo'
Guns have been made ready ana the
troons are kept constantly on the aierl
o1+honph the Spanish officials laugh al
the idea of the insurgents being aple u
l
approach Havana. 80 +he
Tn spite of the rapid approach - ~.
cubans. there is no very great oue"a q,
excitement here, although among tne
a,,h,io officials and masses OF the popu'
,o+ion +here is an air of anxious eApec'
- tion which tells the tale better tildi
49,, words could. The hurried nloVe
,,oants of troops, the garrlsonihs "
r forts. going and coming OF oioel III. ~,
hastv dispatch of reinforcements 10 .n'
front the general state OF 1evei isN ~
.as+ oil show that news from Mataila'
- - the utmost Importance ana tia' .,i'
. - of the campaign, one way " 'ii'
s.,,or is believed to be approachiiis'
o+or-captain General Campos ai
- havana at o'clock, maklht
: tba seventh change OF MS heauq az e. 20
, g, two weeks. This fac' ~ or;t
rarded as highly Significant u ~ ol;,
20, situation of Havana anu do .t -
ioa '.ah,,ant of any hope on the pa. ~
:. aanish commander OF prlngihs 49,
TIC to standstill OUTSIDE a. =
ln ne ar anv point between Matanzas a'''
fn ANON ,@ his arrival here TINS ev VIEW,
0 upon h,s ,aral Campos made know
4 Captain that Gomez mad designed nj
his beliea w which has thus far prove
movement movement, successful. merely as ria
! into the heart OF the e''eA