Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-04-13
PREPARING FOR FIGHT
Spaniards Organizing Troops
by Commands.
BEING SENT TO THE EASTWARD
Modelling in Santiago de Cuba Pre-
paratory to Grand Hunt for
the Insurgents.

Havana, April 6.-At daybreak this
morning a battalion of Spanish troops
marched out from the fortress of Ca
bana, which lies westward ON the hills
above Moro castle. They were led to
the railway from which trains travel
south across the island to Battabanno.
1t is from that port that the government
troops are being forwarded to the east
ern districts of Cuba, and when the
battalion en- route today shall have
reached Santiago de Cuba all the troops
newly arrived from Spain will have
been modified at that point When
all are there there will be grand re-
view, and then the hunt for the insur-
gents will begin. Meanwhile the or
ganization of the troops by commands
is being effected. There will be two
grand divisions, and two brigades i'll
each division. The forces will number
something like 1000 men.
At the palace of the encouragement
the writer was informed that when all
the troops that are now expected to
come from Spain shall have arrived
there will be available against the re-
bellion about 32, 900 men. This num-
Der covers troops already arrived here,
the standing army of Cuba and all vol
unteers and guerrillas The last named
are not the guerrillas familiar i'll the
states, but are separate companies en-
listed for definite time and purpose
Regular officers and men are to be as
signed among these troops to drill and
lead them in battle. These officers re-
ceive for this service $50 per month and
the men receive $25.
While awaiting the arrival of the
troops leaving here today the forces now
in the disturbed districts began search
ing in the chapparal for insurgents.
An interesting bit of news comes
from Santiago de Cuba. A correspond
ent, writing under date of March %,
states that he has been looking into the
Alliance affair, and he makes the state
ment that the Alliance was hailed, and
displayed the American flag, and not
that of England, as reported by the
commander of the Condo de Venadito.
Saturday last the government here
freely announced that the rebel chief,
Maceo, had sailed from Costa Rica on
the Atlas line steamer Dieronback, and
that he had not arrived on the soil of
Cuba The same evening there was in
formation in Havana that Maceo had
effected a landing and is now on Cuban
soil among his followers
The land line of telegraph westward
of the island are in wretched condition
The government frankly stated that
there is serious interruption. There is
communication along the coast by cable,
but land lines, which have never been
much needed in peace, are now vital,
and are to be fixed up. The lines are
said to be strung on trees wherever pos
sible and the necks of beer and other
bottles have been used as lnsulatOrs.
There are those who believe the Spanish
government has paid sums that were
supposed to properly maintain these
lines. The autonomistic party here
favors such a relation of Cuba to Spain
as is sustained by England toward her
colonies. Independence is not desired.
A meeting of the party was held yester-
day to deplore the rebellion and offer
aid to Spain. The same action has
been taken by the autonomists Of
Puerto Rico. The resolutions embody-
ing these views have been forwarded to
Rafael Maria de Labra, the Cuban
leader of the party in Spain.