The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-12-25


Copyrighted, 1895, by Associated Press)
Havana, Dec. A.-Shortly after noon
today the startling news was received
from Matanzas that General Gomez. at
the head of the insurgent army, said to
number about 1900 men OF all arms,
fairly we'll equipped with arti lery, had
by q feint turned the left flank Of Cap
tain General MAJ tinez de Campos, in M
mand of the Spanish forces at Colon,
who attempted to stop the advance Of the
enemy upon Havana, and were we'll to
the westward of Colon and threatening
Matanzas to the southwark and trying to
strike directly at Havana.
The receipt of this startling news has
caused the greatest excitement here both
in official and unofficial circles. The In
surgents a little over two weeks ago,
entered the province of Santa Clara, from
the province of Puerto Principe, at lg-
uara, and there defeating Colonel Seguera
and the Spanish column, they made a
most wonderful advance through the pro-
vince passing through the flower OF the
Spanish army assembled there, and said
to number about 5000 men. In spite of
repeated repulses the insurgents pressed
onward. and passing Placetas, Santa
frontier of Matanzas. 1t was only few
days ago that the announcement was
made that the insurgents were at Las La
las and marching onward to Havana.
Then came the news that the insurgents
had entered the province Of Matanzas at
Palma Sala. Before this, however, Gem
eral Campos had changed his headquar-
ters to Colon and he commenced hurried
ly concentrating his forces there intend
ing to compel General Gomez TO hght q
pitched battle before passing that pace.
A day or two ago the insurgents caused
a scurry at Colon. Firing was heard at
Ai,ica. about Is miles from that place
and re-inforcements were sent TO the
front hut this turned out TO be little
more than an outpost affair, and while
the Spanish troops made for this po NJ
main body of the army passed soutn
of Colon, near the line of the railr au'
and headed for the frontier OF Havana,
turning the flank of the captain-generaL
r,ho with the best Spanish force In the
leland is now well in the rear OF the
insurrents' column. The latter are NOV
ING more rapidly than the Spanish troops
Who are utterly unused to travelling IN
this thickly wooded country without reg
,lar roads. are not thought likely TO DO
able to catch up with the quickly moVins
Cubans.
Gomez, by beautifully executed coun-
termarch, has turned the flank Of the IA
nous Spanish commander and today
with his army, made his appearance close
10 the town of Jovollano, well 70 tne
rear of Colon, and commanding the rail-
+, Dads to Cardenas, Matanzas ana HaYa-
ma The movement Of the insurgents was
an example of splendid generalship, ac-
nomplIshed under the most trying circuln-
stances, and in the tLce of Overwhelming
numbers of the Spanish troops, commHnd
cd by the best officers Of Spain. II seems
there is nothing 10 prevent them from
reaching Havana in the next rev days,
Cor the Spanish commanders seem to nave
entirely lost their heads and unless Cam
nos has accomplished miracle OF OAR
Ing strategy in allowing Gomez and nj
friends to slip by, in order that the Span
ish troops may be hurried after them,
and by sortie from Havana, eaten them
between two fires the Insurgents avg
masters of the situation. The ODDS
against the Spaniards being able TO press
ON after the triumphant insurgents army
arc very heavy.