The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-26
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INDIANAPOLIS THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 26 1896

shot down or cut down, or else to find the
Cubans disappear as If adorned with wings
The Cubans, on the other hand, are am
mated with the spirit of patriotism, with
the alI-absorbing desire for freedom, with
the fire which drove the British before the
American troops under the leadership or
Washington. While these facts cannot be
denied, there is one feature of the march
of the insurgents on Havana which cannot
1900 men, Can they capture this city, and
can they hold II If they do obtain posses
sion sion of 1t? There Is the strong garrison Of
the Spanish fleet TO be reckoned with. IL
must be quickly done or fail altogether, IL
would appear, for it seems impossible that
Campos cannot gather together some kind
OF force and start in pursuit Of Gomez
and Maceo In any case, the next few
days should decide everything.
Generals Valdez and I.uque are pushing
on for Sabanilla del Encomandadon. d.
rectly south of Matanzas. at the head OF
Cuban army is believed to be to to the west st
ward of Sabanilla. After the battle OF
Coliseo yesterday the insurgents it is def
nitely known, moved rapidly westward,
passing. to the south of Limonare, while
some OF them were engaged with the troops
commanded by General Campos. The Cub
an army went by Coliseo, MADAM, Tosca
and Sumidero. burning the plantations OF
Perea Alevideo, Siento Cuavalejos. Alta
misal. Aguedta and Retribucion as they
swept onward. The last named plantation
is situated between Guanabana and Ybarra
close to the south of Matanzas, proving be-
% %yond doubt that the Cubans have contin-
ued their march on Havana, for Ybarra is
well TO the west of Guanabana. where
Campos passed the night.
ADVANCING ON HAVANA
The insurgents are believed to have en-
camped not far from the two lines OF rail-
roads running close together between
Aquacate and Matanzas, connecting Ha-
vana with Matanzas via Jaruco, and, by
more roundabout way, via Guines, Bejucal
and Havana. The insurgents scouts are
reported to have been seen near San Fran
cesco de Paula, to the west Of Santa Anna,
and not far from the most southerly of
the two railroads connecting Havana with
Matanzas, and the Cuban advance guarc
cannot be far behind them. Consequently,
the advance guard of the army command
ed by Gomez and Maceo is less than fifty
miles, from Havana, and. apparently,
steadily advancing Between the insurgents
and Havana there is only one town Of i'm
portance, Jaruco, and ii is an open ques-
ton whether Campos can get there from
Guanabana or Matanzas, where he is sup
posed to be, before the Cubans have passed
that point.
In this city every preparation is being
made to give the insurgents hot recep-
tion. All the outlying posts have been
strengthened, the new fortificatons are be-
ing hurriedly pushed to completion, ammu-
milton is being overhauled, guns have been
made ready, and the troops are kept con-
stantly on the alert, although the Spanish
officials laugh at the idea of the insurgents
being able to approach Havana. But any
person who. three weeks ago, would have
limited at the possibility of the Cubans be-
ing able, within that time, to push through
the provinces OF Santa Clara and Matanzas,
to the borders Of the province OF Havana,
might have been promptly locked up as a
luratic. Yet there are the Cubans, scout
ing near the borders OF the province OF
Havana, having passed Campos and the
picked troops of Spain, civil guards. volun-
teers and guerrillas.
Everybody here is asking what the next
step will be. Can Campos catch up to or
check the enemy in any way? The next
two days should furnish the answer to all
questions on the subject. In spite of the
rapid approach of the Cubans, there is no
very great outward excitement here, al
though among the public officials and the
masses OF the population there Is an>air of
anxious expectancy, which tells the tale
better than any words could do. The hur-
the forts, the going and coming of order
lies, the hasty dispatch of reinforcements
TO the front, the general state OF feverish
uneasiness all show that the news from
Matanzas is Of the utmost Importance, and
that the end of the campaign, one way or
the other, is believed to be approaching.
Even the most stubborn Spanish officers
agree that the march of Gomez and Maceo
across Santa Clara ard Matanzas is most
| remarkable military feat TO have accom-
plished Within three weeks, and in spite
OF all the forces Spain could throw across
their path.
A boat from Jamaica, containing ten
men, supposed to be filibusters, has landed
on the coast of Santiago de Cuba.