The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-04-10
The War in Cuba.
Great and Growing Excite.
ment in the Island.

HAVANA, April 2. via Tampa, Fla
The streets of Havana aud the fields
and mountains Of Cuba are filed With
soldiers and revolutionists. The excite
ment all over the island is more intense
nov than at any period since the rev.
olusiouists fred the drst shot on the
21ss of February. This is because the
insurgens forces are growing almost as
rapidly as the reinforcemenss of loyal
troops, who are Coming in on every
maritime vessel sailing 10 this direc-
ton from Spain. 10 Havana, the beat
of the drums aud the drilling of re-
csuits are seer from daylight until far
into the night. Ia the plaza surround
ing Hotel Pasaja, there are hundreds
of gaudily caparisoaed soldiers march
ing up aud down all during the day.
The mounted police gallop over the
city six abreast, lever stopping until
their animals are exhausted, when their
places are taken by fresh animals and
men. This is for the purpose of
awing those wac are inclined to join
the insurgents and to excite loyalty Of
the Spaniards.
Troops are being forwarded to the
front as rapidly as the government can
send them. The Spanish boys, for
they are boys. do not tarry long at
Havana, and they come here and are
instantly marched OF. No one here
Knows exactly where the government is
moving their forces to. The cables
and telegraph over the island is under
government supervision, and the strict
est censorship IS exercised over all mail
and telegraph matter. It is known,
however, that q majority Of men are
now being forwarded to Trinidad in the
State of Santa Clara and to Manzanil-
10 and Santiago de Cuba; in the State
of Santiago de Cuba. From these re-
ports they are being showed into the
mountains beneath a boiling sun.
Nearly one-third of all the soldiers i'm
ported from Spain have been sick and
many Of them have died. They are
uDacclimated aud as food is scarce,
they have eaten greedily of green
fruits. The result has been disastrous
and demoralizing. 1t is reported here
that a company of regulars deserted
the army and joined the insurgents near
Puerto Principe.
The Masso brothers, commanding
the insurgents at Holguin, are reported
to have gained a siugoal victory on the
10Th, defeating the Spauiards. killing
swenty-six, wounding 1872 and captur-
ing twelve. This story is discredited
by officials here. but at insurgept head
quarters, visited under cover last night
by me, 1t was said to be absolutely
true.
Captain General Emilio .Callejas re-
turns to Spain as soon as Arsemo Mar
tines Campos arrives, which will be
the middle of the present month. The
new captain general OF the island COM
ing here, it is said. will introduce the
Sherman idea of warfare and will make
a march direct to the s:rongholds Of the
enemy burning and destroying the
property Of all supposed to be dis!oyal
to Spain.
I 60 to the mountains. where the iu-
surgens forces are m~arshalled. to-day.
Havana had sixty-six new cases of
yellow fever yesterday. OF these the
majority were Spanish soldiers All
Americans are leaving Cuba, fearing
the fever. And all Cubans who re-
member the new captain general will be
in the United States before his arrival.
which will be about. the middle of the
present mouth.