Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-27
Excitement at Havana Over Cuban
Advance Continues.
GEN. CAMPB REMAINS IN THE CITY
Whereabouts of the Three Columns
of Insurgents.
FORTIFYING GOES FORWARD

HAVANA. December 27.-The excitement
which has prevailed here since the fnsurgent
army, under Gomez and Maceo. entered the
province of Matanzas continues today. and
is heightened by the meagerness Of the
rews from the trent.
The Spanish authorities insist that the in
surgents are in retreat, and yet General
Campos Is still here, and the work of fort!-
flying Havana and its vicinity continues
without an hours interruption in any di-
rection.
According to the official advices, Maceo
is at the plantation of Olimpo, near the
town of Cimarrones. little way north of
Jovellanos. the town from which Campos
retreated upon Limonare. Cimarrones is
about forty-five klometers from the city
of MataEZas, of the province of that name.
Quintin Bardera is said to be with his
column at Sumidero, about twenty kilo-
meters from Matanzas, and only a little
way from Limonare, where, according to
the official announcements. CampoB de-
feated the inSuI gents at ColiSeo But Su-
midero is nearer to Matanzas than Coliseo.
which would not seem to confirm the story
that Bandera's column was defeated.
Maxine Gomez still. according to the
official adviceS, is at the farm of Ciervo, in
the district of Jaguey Grande. and in the
direction of the Grand Cienaga Occidental
de Zapata, an immense stretch of swamp
land into which he could retreat to the
SOUTHWARK IL necessary ana possibly Noiti
pursuit upon the part of the Spanish
troops.
1t will thus be seen that three Cuban
columns are accounted for. one to the
ECrth, at Sum.dero, under Bandera: one in
the certer at Cimarrones, under Maceo,
and enc to the south. near Jaquey Grande,
under Gomez all in the province of Ma
tanzas, and all to the westward of Colon.
The exact position of the Spanish col
unns being concentrated to meet the in
surgents Ito pursue them. according to the
Spanish offctals) is not known but the
last reports received had it that the Span
iSrds We're concentrating at Union de
Reyes.
But Sumidero. where the Bandera col
umn is located. is well to the northward.
and only little westv ard of Union de
difficulty in pressing onward toward Ha-
vana northward of Union de Reyes and
south of the city of Matanzas.
Bandera would also be able to attack in
the rear the troops sent to engage Maceo
at Cimmarones. or he might join forces with
Maceo, and the two inSurgent columns
might join together and move upon any
force sent to attack Gomez in the Jaquey
Grande district.
Consequently, it is difficult to see how
the Spanish commander figures out his
statement that the Spanish troops occupy
the most advantageous positions in the
To the observer of the movements of the
opposing forces 1t would appear that
Gomez to the south. Maceo in the center
and Bandera to the north, and furthest
west. really form a half circle around the
Spanish. forces, and completely command
that portion of the island.
Then again. admitting that Union de
Reyes is the Spanish headquarters for the
operations against the insurgents in the
province of MatanZas. 1t would appear that
the Spaniards are in position from W hich
they can hardly operate without being
threatened with attack in the rear and on
both TANKS in a forward movement.