The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1895-03-21
THE CUBANS GAINING
Statements That Six Thousand
Cubans Are Under Arms
FALSE RtP,RTS hE DERED
Defeats OF spanish Trnnrs Officially
ID, ciarvd Veto tes - ife. Ptri Cd
for Speaking the Truth.

Key West, Fla. March l7.-The first
clear and trustworthy statement of af-
fairs in the eastern end of Cuba is
brought by a passenger on the steamer
Macotte.
IT have travelled throughout the
mountainous district constantly since
the trouble began" said he, land mat
ters are now in a worse condition than
at the beginning. The fighting started
in n desultory and scattered fashion,
but the forces gradually became crys-
tallized, and there are now fully 5000
insurgents under arms. They are in a
dozen or more detachments, but are Civ
ing the government no end OF trouble
In many cases the Spanish troops have
been beaten back with heavy loss. The
most deplorable feature of the warfare
is the pillaging and burning. The in
surgents have gained confidence since
the beginning of the trouble, and mat
rers In the eastern district are in al
most as bad condition as during the
war of 1868.
New leaders are springing up, and
by the force of their intellect and abil-
ity they have induced the insurgents
not to hold off any longer for the ar
rival of leaders. The general opinion in
Santiago is that If the insurgents can
hold out until summer the yellow fever
will help them greatly.
1T is said that both Rabi and Masso
are confident of taking Santiago before
October. The Spanish troops are guard
Ing every road and nobody is allowed
to pass without giving the strictest
account of himself. 1t is as much as a
mans life is worth in Santiago to talk
n Of C1f1N all
Several persons have been shot on ac-
count of this.
Instances where the Spaniards were
defeated have been published as gov
ernment victories. Four Spanish cruis-
ers were in the harbor of Santiago one
week ago; now there are but two guard
ing the eastern coast and one on the
southern coast
The passenger also said the revolt
would kill business in Cuba for two
years. Money is already scarce and
prices are high. A panic is feared. 1t
seems to be the general impression
among the Spaniards" that the United
States feel bitter towards the Spanish
government and would like nothing bet
ter than an excuse to seize the island
hence their hatred of the Americans.
Nothing official has been received Of
the report of the Spanish cruiser firing
on the Alliancia. 1t is understood that
the Spanish officials in Havana claim
the Alliancia was within three miles of
shore and that the cruiser had a right
TO sink her on her refusal to stop.
CONFIRMATORY REPORTS
Tampa, Fla. March 1.-THE reports OF
the Progresso, a Cuban steamer that ar
rived tonight, give credence to the upris-
ing in the eastern department. and state
that much activity exists among the
Spanish troops on the entire island.
Thirteen prisoners are reported in the
prisons of Havana. Sangually and Ag-
uirre are being tried by a civil court, as
required by Consul Williams, and ii is
believed they will be freed altogether, al
though IL is asserted that should Sangual-
ly be released his life would be in peril.
The Cubans had a recent engagement
with Spanish troops in the outskirts OF
Bayamo. 1t is said citizens saw the
lighting from the house tops. The affray
lasted two hours, and 300 Spaniards were
killed and wounded. The Cubans gave
an entertainment in Ybor City, the pro
Feeds to go to the treasury of the revolu-
tionary party. The house was crowded.