The herald., 1895-06-08
THOUGHT TO Be A RUSE
Story of Torpedo Boats for
Cuban Insurgents
SPANISH OFFICIAL VIEWS
Report Circulated to Divert Attention
From Other Points
announcer Engagement Reported to Have Oc-
Cured Between Troops and insurgents.
Several Killed on Both Sides
Associate Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, June The report
from Ef'lordia as to the dispatchlns OF
three torpedo boats with a Cuban revolu-
tionary party IS thought by Spanish Off
ials here to be a ruse to divert attention
IRON movements at other poinls. 1t is
stated that the torpedo boats could make
tut feeble showing against the large
fleet OF Spanish cruisers and gunboats
now patrolling Cuban waters. 1t is said
that Gen. Rafael Quesada is the moving
spirit OF the prese Mt operations and that
he IS now at Abite springs. Florida dis
patches mentlon Gonzales de Quesada as
one OF a evolutionary board meeting at
Ocean Beach. Fla. This General Quesada
IS former secretary to jose Marti. The
latter's death is now conceded by revc-
lutlonary leaders, according to advices
received here.
Department officials do not attach any
Importance to the statement OF the Lon
don standard that Spain would make q
claim against the United States based on
the precedent of the Alabama's claims
ior permitting arms and ships to leave
the United States in aid of the CUBAN
cause. IL is said that no definite infor-
nation oil this aid has yet been gwen.
ana that whenever it is given the United
states will use every available means to
oihcial attention has been directed to the
open carrying of the flag of the Cuban
revolution by armed bands IN the streets
OF Tampa, Fla.
HAVANA, June "A small detach-
men OF Spanish troops, ii is announced
IN dispatch from ManzaniIlo, was sur
prised by insurgents commanded by
Amadora Guerra and fierce fighting fol-
lowed. The Spanish lost one sergeant
and three soldiers killed and had seven
wounded. The insurgents were com .
PEELED to retire leaving four dead and
nine wounded. the troops pursued the
fleeing insurgents and captured five
prisoners. Another dispatch announces
that number of insurgents recently at
tacked the village of Guaya, which was
defended by a small detachment COM
mandea by Colonel CastellanI. The
spanish soldiers routed the enemy. who
le1t three dead upon the field.
FERNANDINA, Fla, June 7.-Captain
Lessiere of the pilot boat Frances Eliza
beth has Just arrived and reports sighting
yesterday u Spanish gunboat cruising
about six miles off the shore. The gun
boat was steaming rapidly from the shore.
1t passed northward and returned about
fve hours later, moving much slower AID
closer to the shore. The captain of the
pilot boat concluded she wanted pilot
and made toward her but when the gun
boat observed this she changed her
course. Considerable excitement was
created here by the pilot captain story
and it was not believed Spain considered
the Florida coast of sufficient import
ance IN respect to flibustering expe-
ditions to be patrolled by gunb boat.
Captain Johnson OF the schooner Green
leaf, from New York, arrived today and
substantiated the story told by Captain
Lessiere. Captain Johnson says that
when he crossed the Cumberland bar at
o'clock this morning the gunboat was
cruising slowly four miles off the bar.
apparently on the lookout. The gun boat
answers the description OF the Palos.