The herald., 1895-03-25
How a Band of Insurgents Have
Gained in Strength
THE REBELLION IN CUBA
Authentic War News Received From
the Island
Hanxanllla ID Barrlcaded-C Country Residents
Are Fleeing to the Citles-A
Hodest Warship

the eastern end OF the island. They were
able to give more authentic accounts of
the Cuban insurrection than any yet re-
ceived. Among them was man who had
been at Manzanillo from January 8th to
March 9Th. excepting occasional visits to
the interior. He states the uprising oc-
Cured simultaneously throughout the
province of Santiago, February Oath.
The next day General La Chant bre arrived
at Guantanamo from Santiago with 200
Spanish soldiers, returning to Santiago
on the 26th with part OF the same
troops. His reason was unknown, but
it was supposed that he feared trap.
The chief of the rebels around Guantana-
mo is Henry Brooks, nephew OF Richard
Brooks, of Santiago.
Since the first outbreak he has been
Joined by Pesque Perez, very good SOL
dier. They have 600 men at Guantanamo.
In Santiago province there are 5000 men
under arms. The opinion is that should
Puerto Principe rise, as planned upon his
departure, this would win a strong force
of determined men. increasing the in
surgent. to about 1000. Mirabel, a bandit
Strandu, returned the child to his
parents on March 18th. Mirabel claims
to hold commission of Colonel from
the Cubans. He commands a strong,
dangerous band.
AT Santiago some young men who were
in sympathy with the cause did not join
the movement. fearing that negroes were
the principal directors. His inference
was drawn from Gillermon's s statement
that his chief was Guanalberto Gomez.
About thirty miles from Santiago, near
FL Cobre. four hundred Spani sh troops
were on the march and were ambushed by
an insurgent band under command of
Pallac. The Spaniards' loss was exceed
ingly heavy. They were routed and the
Cubans notified the Spanish authorities
to send for the dead and wounded. The
number of the Cuban band is not known.
Guillermon, who was abandoned in the
vicinity of Cristo, was seen by the passen-
gers and interviewed. He is leader of
strength and the government forces fear
and watch him. He hovers near Man
zanillo commanding 500 we'll drilled cav
arymen. About March 18th he sacked
Champuegla village. which consists of
about 700 inhabitants. and which was
guarded by fifty Spanish soldiers. The
commanding lieutenant was captured
white absent from the garrison, the fort
itications were surrounded and upon the
promise of his life being spared the arms of
the barracks were surrendered. This hap
pened in midday. That night after the
insurgents had gone fresh Spanish troops
arrived, the surrenderng lieutenant was
arrested by them and sent to prison.
A great many ex-Spanish soldiers are
with Guerra and Mason four miles from
Manzanillo Guerra captured the arms
from the plantations. As rule the plan
tations are unmolested, but Sofia, a
Spanish plantation. is not permitted to
work. In Manzanillo the volunteers and
citizens are constantly fearing capture.
The entrances to it are guarded and no
one is allowed to pass the gates at night.
Those entering during the day are COM
PEELED to surrender their arms. The
streets are constantly patrolled at night.
Some of the richer stores have erected
opposite their stands small turreted tow
ers with their bodies projecting into the
streets from the corners, SO that loopholes
command the four directions of the street.
Tlose towers are ten feet high and twelve
feet in diameter.
The latest reports are that the insurgent
forces have Withdrawn into the interior to
plan an attack it is thought, upon Santi-
ago.
Colonel Santocida has arrived at Man
zanillo from Santiago and is in comm and
OF the Manzanillo section OF the Spanish
troops. of about 100 soldiers who, after
fight at Baire, started for the interior.
When passing Bayano and about five
miles distant, he was ambushed by nearly
400 insurgents. The fire was SO fierce
that they we're compelled to form hol-
low square to protect themselves. The
Spanish ranks were fearfully moved
down. while the Cuban losses were not
insignificant. Among the latter Rodr-
guez, an aid of Mason. was killed. Had
It not been for the timely arrival of Span
ish troops from Bayomo, the band of
Spanish would have been total loss.
Around:Canto River section, the whole
country is under the tramp of rebellion.
Bands are marching toward Las Unas
de Victoria and Puerto Principe, growing
stronger as they proceed. A strong band
of insurgents are on the northern coast
daily expecting an expedition from the
United States.
The insurrection movement does not
appear to be receievd with favor by the
people, who are moving into the cities.
All kinds of work is suspended. The cut
ting of high grade timber has stopped on
account OF the internecine strife.
Numbers of the cutters are with the in
surgents and others are not to be had to
take their places. The insurgents DO not
allow OF the movement of cattle, keeping
them in their regular pastures. In the
latter part of April the rainy season be-
gins in that section. The roads will then
become imrassable, making all kinds of
movement difficult and expensive. espec-
tally with foreign troops, as horses with
tender feet will have to be shod or aban-
doned. Everything will then be in favor
of the insurgents.
The formation of the new Spanish minis
try attracts much attention. If prudent
they may hold the re yOlution in partly
passive state for several months, or ii they
are unwise they may hurl firebrand
into the powder magazine and drive
many into revolt who are now neutral.
A small gunboat was patrolling the
coast near Cape Cruz March 14th. and no.
ticed ships yawl heading for them. It
proved to contain two German sailors
Nho wanted water. They claimed to be
gshermen from San Domingo, being
Blown from that coast by heavy SOUTH
eastern gales. They were sent to Santiago
and put in jail, where were also two
Americans found in the same manner
two weeks previously. The American and
German Consuls both have the matter be-
fore them.
The passenger mentioned is an Ameri-
can-Cuban and gives truth full account
cf the situation. Many incidents men,
u ned he is acquainted with from per-
Il knowledge.
/: LW YORK. March A.-The Pacific
1 all steamship Colombia from Colon
March 18th arrived today. Captain Hen
derson reports that at 1886 p. M. on the