The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-12-26


and unusual exposure, In spite OF the
fact that this is the ao-called healthy
season In Cuba. Yellow fever, small
poN and mRlnrlal fever have told terri
bly, upon these unfortunate troops, and,
In addition, they are utterly unit for
campaigning In this land OF bad roads,
high gIilss, swamps and low bush wood
They simply have not the strength to
push steadily on after the Cubans, who,
as u rule, are thoroughly acclimated
men, accustomed to the country, ia
miliar with all Its pecullRrities and able
70 bear long marches without suffering
too severely,
Then, again the Spanish troops arc
thoroughly dispirited; their hearts are
not In the fight, In spite OF the gallant
manner In which they respond 70 viva
Espana" and dash at the enemy-only
10 be shot down or cut down, or else 20
iind the Cuban disappear as II adorned
with wings,
The Cubans, on the other hand. arc
animated with the spirit OF patriotism,
with the all-absoTbing desire for Free
dom, with the fire which drove the
British before tho American patriots
under the leadership OF Washington.
While these facts cannot be denied,
there Is one feature OF the march OF the
insurgents upon Havanu, which cannot
be overlooked. Admitting they num-
ber l2,000-can they capture this city,
and can they hold II II they do obtain
possession OF II?
There is the strong garrison OF this
place, tho high walls OF the forts and
the Spanish fleet TO be reckoned with
II must be quickly done or fail alto
gether. II would appear, for II seems
impossible that Campos cannot gather
together some kind OF force and start
In pursuit OF Gomez and Maceo.
In any case, the next few days should
decide everything, Generals Valdez
and I.uque are pushing on for Saba
mIllR del Encomenda directly south
OF MatRnzhs, at the head OF the best
troops In that province; but the Cuban
army is believed 10 be 10 the west OF
Sahanilla,
After the battle Of ColIseo, yesterday,
the insurgents, II Is definitely known,
moved rapidly westward, passing 10
the south OF Limonare while some OF
them were engaged with tho troops
commanded by Campos. The Cuban
army went by CollBeo, MADAM, Tosca
and Sumidero, burning the planta-
tIons OF Pcreu, Atrevideo, Siento, Cuav-
elejos, Altamosal, Aguedlta and Retri-
buclon as they swept onward,
On 10 Havana.
The last nRmed plantation Ia situated
between Guanabana and Ybarrn, close
10 and sauth OF Matanzas. proving be-
yond doubt that the Cubnns have con-
tinucd their march on Havana, FOR
Ybarra is well TO the westward OF Qua
nnabana, where carnpos passed last
night.
camped for the night not far from the
two lines OF railroads, running close to-
gether between Aquacate and MRtnn-
Eas. connecting Havana with MutanEas
via Jaruco and By a more roundabout
way, via Guines. BeJucal and Havana
The Insurgent scouts are reported 10
hnyo been seen near San Francisco de
Paula. to the west of Santa Anna and
not far from the most southerly OF the
two railroads connecting Havana with
Natangas. and the Cuban advance
guard cannot be far behind them Com
seduently the advance guard OF the
army commanded by Gomez and Maceo
Ig less than fifty miles from Havana.
and, apparently, steadily ADVANCING.
Between the insurgents and Havnnh
there Is only one town OF Importance
Jarucn, and II Is an open question
whether Campos can get there from
Guanabana or MatRnEas, where he 70
supposed to be. before the Cubahs have
passed that point
In this city every preparation 10 beinB
mnde to give the insurgents O hot re-
ceptIon. All the outlying posts have
been strengthened. the new fortinca-
tions ere being hurriedly pushed TO
completion. ammunition Is being over
hauled. guns have been made ready
and the troops are kept constantly on
the alert, although the Spanish officials
laugh nj the idea Of the Insurgents
being able TO approach Havana But
any person who. three weeks ago,
would have hintGd at the possibility OF
the CubanS being able, within that
time. to push through the provinces OF
Santa Clarn and MatanzaB 20 the bor-
dcrs OF the province OF Havana, might
have been promptly locked up as
iunntic Yet, there are tho Cubans,
scoutlng near the borders OF the prov
ince Of Havana, having passed Campos
and the picked troops OF Spnin, civil
guards volunteers and guerrillas'
What NsIti
Everybody here is asking what the
next step win be. Can campos catch
up to or check the enemy in any way1
The next two days should furnish the
answer 10 all the questions on the SUB
ject
Cubnris there IA no very great outward
excitement here, although among pub
lie officials nnd the masses OF the popu-
lntlOn there Is an air Of anxious ex-
nCOtnncv yghinh tells the tale better
than any words could do
The hurried movements OF the troops
garrlsoning the forts. the going and
coming of orderlieB, the hnsty dispatch
OF reinforcemCnta TO tho front, the gem
eral state Of feveriBh unrest, all show
thnt the news from Matanzns is OF tho
ttmoHt Importance. and that the end
OF the campaign, one wny or the other,
Is believed to be approaching. Even the
most stubborn OF the Spanish officers
ngrce that the march OF Gomez across
Santa Clara and Matnnzns is most 70.
mnr,ablo military feat 70 have noconl-
piishcd within three weeks, and In spite
of nil tho forces Spnin could throw
across their path.
A boat from Jamaica, containing ton
mon. aiipposcd 10 be fllibuatcrerB. has
landed on the coHst Of Santiago do
Cuba.
Christmas ln Havana.
I.ATER-Christmn day wore away
In Havana with continued anxiety in
all circles, the news Of the morning OF
tho continued advance OF tho insur'
gent forces being confirmed by details
coming In through the day and en-
beillshed by nyinR rumOrB OF tho close
nppronch Of Gomez and his army. AB
n iunIter Of fact. there wna v0ry llttle
accurate Information Of the exact
whereabouts Of the insurgents or The
cotirac they were taking. the military
authorities themselves being much az
fault ~ to where the cnmy was 20 pc