The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-12-28
HAVANA IN DANGER.
Insurgents Advancing Rapidly on
the Cuban Capital
Cnmpos Unable 90 Check the Progress OF
Conner battles Take Place Amid the
Flames OF burning sugar
Plantations

ceivcd from Matnnzns that Gen. Max
limo Gomez, at the head OF the insur-
gent army. said TO number about 5000
of all arms, fairly well supplied with
artillery, Ind by feint turned the
flank of Capt. Gen. Martinez de Campos
in command OF the Spanish forces a.
Colon. attempting to stop the advance
of the enemy upon Havana, and were
well 10 the westward of Colon and
threatening to pass Matanzas TO tho
southwark and strike directly az Ha
yana.
The receipt OF this startling news has
caused the greatest excitement here.
both in official and in unofficial circles
As previously detailed in these dis
patches, the insurgents, little over
two weeks ago, entered the province of
Santa Clara from the province of
Puerto Principe at Iguara. and. there
defeating Col. Segura and Spanish
column, they made most wonderful
advance through the province, passing
through the flower of the Spanish
army assembled there and said TO mum
Der about 5000 men.
After some sharp slSinnishes. in
which the Spaniards were worsted. Gen.
Campos, who had made his headqunr-
tiers at Santn Clara. transferred them
to Cienfuegos. with the announced i'm
tention of personally commanding the
troops which were 10 check the insur-
gent advance. But in spite of reported
repulses the insurgents pressed on
ward, and, passing Placetas. Santa
Clara. San Juan de Lasyeras. Ram
chuelo and other towns. pushed ON for
the frontier OF AIantanzas.
At one time IL WINS reported that they
intended TO attack Santa Clara. but
their tactics seemed TO be to pass all
the big towns and press on for Havana.
II was only few days ago that the an
nouncement was made that the I'M
surgents were at Las Lajas and march
ing onward to Havana. Then came the
news that the insurgents had entered
the province of Mantanzns at Palma
Sala. Before this. however. Gen. Cam
pos had changed his headquarters TO
Colon, and he commenced hurriedly
concentrating his forces there. intend
ing 90 compel Gen. Gomez TO fight n
pitched battle before passing that
place.
Gomez, by n beautifully executed
counter march, has turned the flank of
the famed Spanish commander, and
Tuesday, with his army. made his APP
pearance close TO the town of Joyallanos,
we'll TO the rear Of Colon, and com
mnnding the railroads to Cnrdenas.
fiatanzas and Havana The movement
OF the insurgents was an example of
splendid generalshlp accomplished un-
der the most trying circumstances and
In the face of overwhelming numbers
of Spanish troops commanded by the
best officers of Spain.
The Cubans were divided into three
columns, one 10 the south, under La
cerete and Suarez, numbering over
1000 men; another northward under
Antonio Mnceo. numbering over 5000
men; and the center, the main body of
the insurgents, numbering over 5000.
men. under Gen. Gomez In the center
of each column was tho artillery. con-
sis.ing only OF two field-pieccs for each
column. Ahead of these three columns
was the vanguard of the insurgents,
composed of 900 men and commanded
by Gen. Francisco Perez.
The insurgents burned the railroad
station at Quintinn, eastward of .Jo-
vallanos, anil destroyed the railroads
behind them TO prevent the advance OF
the Spaniards upon their rear. The
las. news received was that they had
posscd Limonar. small town only a
few miles from Mantnnzas, and were
pushing for the railroad which con-
meets Mantauzas with Havana. 1t seems
that there Is nothing likely TO prevent
them from besieging Havana within
the next few days, for the Spanish COM
numbers appear TO have entirely lost
their heads.
The odds against the Spnniartis be-
ing able 10 press ON after the triumph
ant insurgents army are very heavy.
Not only have the insurgents destroyed
the railroads behind them. thus burn
ing their ships. as II were, but they have
In many other ways done everything
possible to impede the progress OF The
Spanish army, and the friends of the
insurgents here are confident that the
arrival OF Gomez before Havana viii be
shortly announced.
Havana, Dee. 20. Further details
have reached here from Mnsnnzns OF
the rnpid advance OF the inAurgent
army. numbering about $4,000 men.
upon Havana. after forcing its way
through the provinces of Santa Clara
and into the province of Matanzas I'm
spite OF the efforts of Capt. Gen. Mar
tincz De Cnmpos and about $4,000 troops
at his disposal In the territory trn-
verscd and invaded.
The Spanish forces do not appear 10
have encountered the main body of the
insurgents. as nt first announced. The
fight at the coliseo plantation was be-
tween portion Of the northern col
umn of the three ipsurgent columns
now pushing through the province Of
Mafankas. and instead OF turning out