The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-10
Insurgents Are Investing the City of
Santa Clara, Headquarters of Capt.
Gen. Marines De Campos.
OTHER TOWNS ALSO IN PERIL
SPANISH OFFICERS ORDERED TO At
TACK THE REBELS AT ONCE.
Latter Said to De Well Supplied with
Arms, Ammunition snd Dynamite
-Gomez Raising Funds.

HAVANA, Nov. 9.-It is now admitted
even in official circles that the insurgents
have recently made such progress in the diff
ferent provinces they are operating in and
that they have received such quantity of
arms, ammunition and dynamite that affairs
may be said to be reaching a crisis. There
is no doubt that the headquarters of Capt.
Gen. Martinez de Campos. the city of Santa
Clara, capital of the province OF that name,
is being slowly but surely invested by the
insurgents. They are advancing from all
sides, but mainly from the province of
Puerto Principe. AS cabled few days ago,
Gen. Maxine Gomez, the insurgent COM
mander-in-chief, has crossed the borders
with considerable body of men, and is
now encamped near Siguanea, south of the
important town of Santa Spiritus, which is
occupied ny considerable body of Spanish
troops, and which is one Of the points
where the Captain General recently estab-
lished heliograph station in order to keep
up communication between Santa Clara and
Puerto Principe. But that route is now oc-
cupied by the insurgents, and the very
roads recently traversed by the Captain
General when he SO narrowly escaped death
or capture, a bullet passing through his
saddlebag and eight bullets going through
his long military cloak, are now in posses
sion of the insurgents, and 1t will be very
difficult, If not impossible, for the Spanish
commander to maintain communication
with Puerto Principe.
In addition, the Roloff and Cespedes ex-
petitions, well armed and equipped, have
Joined forces and are preparing to enter
into active cooperation with Maxine Co.
mez in Santa Clara. Then, again, the in
surgent commander, Serafin Sanchez, in
strong force, is encamped at Abres, near
Cienfuegos, the most important cities OF
the island of Cuba. He is openly recruit
ing his followers, and has Just burned all
the houses of Labarinto, Estados Undos
and Heseras. valuable farms and the prop
erty of the Marquis Apezlegua. Roloff ana
Cespedes are making things very lively for
the Captain General in the province OF
Santa Clara, where most of the insurgent
activity is now being displayed. They are
driving the farmers away from the towns,
under penalty Of being shot, and the latter
cannot be induced to return. even under the
promises of land and protection by Mar
tinez de Campos. In the direction of Rene
dos and Sagua la Granda the insurgents
arc also active and it will thus be seen
that they are moving from four different
points upon the city of Santa Clara, which
is garrisoned by some of the best troops
of Spain.
INSURGENTS LEyYING TRIBUTE.
All the insurgent leaders, including Max
imo Gomez, are sending messengers and
circulars to the big farmers and planters.
ordering them to contribute to the treasury
Of the Cuban republic under penalty of hav-
ing their property destroyed by fire. The
H.
better provided with funds than are the
Spanish government officials here. The
money thus obtained from the governments
friends, the planters and big farmers. is
in time forwarded to New York or other
American ports, where it is used for the
purchase of arms and ammunition and the
equipping of additional expeditions. The
Spanish government is we'll aware of this
fact and has done everything possible to
prevent the insurgents from raising FUNDS
as well as trying to capture the messengers
which they send TO the United States and
elsewhere But in spite of the Spanish
blockade Of the coast, the insurgents ex-
petitions find little or no difficulty in land
munication with their friends In the United
States
province of MatanZas, although not so much
is known of the operations OF the ln-
surgents in that portion OF the country.
The present indications are that they are
Clara, although nobody would be surprised
to hear of sudden and combined attack
on the several towns in the province Of
Santiago de Cuba, at which place very
little news has been forthcoming for some
time past The state of affairs is all the
as it is we'll known that the insurgents
have quite a large army in Santiago de
Cuba, their numbers there being estimated
to be as high as 5000 to 5000.
In view OF this decidedly alarming con-
dition of affairs, Gems. Suarez Valdes and
Prats have been ordered 10 concentrate
their forces and to attack the insurgents at
all hazards. AS the weather is now getting
better for military operations, 1T can safely
be said that within week several hot en-
gagements will have been Fought and pos
sibly the fate of the insurrection will have
been decided.
A rumor reaches here this evening that a
strong force Of insurgents has invaded the
province Of Matanzas from the province Of
Santa Clara with the intention of joining
issue with the Cubans already in arms in
Matanzas for a series of operations against
the cities of Colon, Cardenas and the cap
ital, Matanzas. itself. If this is true, there
must be quite a number OF insurgents be-
tween Santa Clara and Havana, should a
retreat be necessary from the former place,
which is not anticipated by the government
officers.
In the face of all this preparation for
bloodshed, it is satisfactory to know that
the Captain General is In favor of grant
ing some form of home rule to Cuba. and
hopes are expressed that his advice will be
taken before 1t is too late. He is known
to have made strong representations on
this subject to the Spanish government.
but he is strongly opposed by the wealthy
and most influential classes on the island.
Major Moreno fought and dispersed at
Vaquaraman, near Cienfugoes, band of
insurgents, killing eight of them accord
ing to official advices received here. 1t is
also reported that the leader, Acebo, and
another insurgent were captured.
The prisoners affirm that the insurgents
lost at the recent action at Cayo Espino
two hundred wounded. while the number
killed is not known.
During the last two days skirmshing
i'm the provinces of Santa Clara the insur-
gents. according to official advices, lost
thirty-two killed and fourteen were taken
prisoners.
General Campos has ordered General
Navarro to leave at once with two bat
talions for the province of Santa Clara.