The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-18
Town of Bane, nn Important Fruit
shipping Port, Sacked, and the
City OF Gfbara I'm Peril.
SCHOONER LARK SEIZED
SUPPOSED FILIBUSTER CAPTURED
BY REVENUE CUTTER wINoNA-
Thfrty-Five Cubans Found Concealed
I'm the HoId-Recognition as Bel
Iigerents OF Little BENEFIT.

BOSTON, Sept 1.-THE British steamer
Tan. just in at this port. ,from Cuba. sept.
10, brings news of a serious state Of affairs
at Banes. the most important fruit port on
the northern coast. The Tan reports that
-Banes has been evacuated by the Spaniards
after a feeble resistance; that the entire
northern section Of the island is now in the
hands of the insurgents. and Gibara itself.
which is one Of the strongest and best forti-
fed cities on the coast, Is in perilous po-
sition, although the Spaniar1is have be-
tween seven and eight thousand soldiers AZ
this point and two mcn-of-war in the har-
bor. When il became known that the rebels
threatened Banes NJ. Dumers. who prso-
ticslly owns the town. and who Is one OF
the wealthiest planters on the islands. sent
to the Spanish officials at Gibara. about
forty miles distant, an urgent request for
troops, and the Taff ives placed at the dis
posal OF the government for the transpor-
tation Of the troops. About one hundred
soldiers were hastily put on board the Tan
and shipped TO Banes. but after they ar
rived there they found that the rebels had
already sacked the town, and were campcd
on the outskirts 10 the number OF i've
thousandA There were only about seventy
five Spanish soldiers In the fort at Banes.
but they made show of resistance until
they were forced TO fall back by over
whelming numbers. When the Tan arrived
with the reinforcements a council Of war
was held, and 1t was decided TO at once
give up the port TO the rebels, and the en-
tire force was taken back TO Cibara. .-es
The officers of the Tan say the spanish
soldiers whom they took TO banes were all
mere boys, and yet they claimed 10 nave
been in eighteen engagements In the yicln-
a poor
ly equipped. Some OF them wore caps, 9TH
ers old straw hats, and stil others Cad
nothing 10 wear on their heads. As soon as
the rebels found themselves IN possession
OF Banes they cut all telegraph and tele-
phone wires and at once began 10 harass
Gibara. ana the commander OF the fort was
expecting an open attack at any moment.
The officers of the Tan say that the
whole country is up i'm arms. and that
everybody favors the rebels Only boys
were lest N the port OF Bsnss to load s ,,a, ana
lstion had joined the rebel ranks. Il 10
also stated that manyeof the rich islanders
are in sympathy with. the rebels. The
rebels seem 10 have plenty OF cash. ana
the officers of the Taft say that every ves-
sci that sails TO Cuba Is asked by repre-
sentatives of the insurgents 10 buy rifles
smuggle them TO Cuba they will pay In
advance for these. and IL is well known
that neary every vessel that sails 10 Cuba
smuggles arms to the insurgents. The off,
GERS of the Tan were asked to bring arms
and ammunition, and representatives OF the
insurgents tried TO make bargain with
the captain just before she sailed. There
is a rumor at Banes and Gibara that the
Brazilian insurgent De MeIlo, was expected
with war vessel and five hundred men
GERS of the Tan. who saw Melio lombard
Rio de Janeiro. says there is evidently
some good ground for the rumor, and he
further says that Mello can whip the span
ish gunboats with even an ordinary man
of-War.