Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-09-18
REBELS HOLD BANES
THE TOWN WAS PILLAGED ny THE
FoRcEs OF THE
~ ENEMY ~
Large Number of Men at st. Louis
Are Anxious TO Enlist In the
Cuban Army.

Boston Sept. 17--The British steamer
Tan. Just arrived from Cuba, brings
news OF serious state Of AFFAIRS at
Banes. the most important fruit port
on the northern coast. The Tan re-
ports that BaDes has been evacuated
by the Spaniards after a feeble reslst-
Rnoe and that the entire northern Sec
ton OF the island is now In the hands
OF the Insurgents. and Giblrn. itself,
which Is one OF the best and strongest
fortified cities on the coast. Is In per-
ilous position. although the Spanlards
have between 1000 and 5000 soldiers
at this point and two men of war in
the harbor. When It became known
that the rebels threatened Banes NJ.
Dumers, who practically owns the
town and ~ ono OF the wealthlest
planters ON the island. sent to the
Spanish officials at Gibara, about 40
miles distant, an urgent request for
troops. and the Tan was placed at the
disposal OF the government for the
TRANSPORTATION of the troops. About
100 soldiers were hastily put ON board
The Tam and shipped to Banes but
after they had arrived there they found
that the rebels had already sacked the
town and were camped ON the out
hklrts to the number OF about 5000
uhere were only about 70 Spanish sol
diers In the fort at Banos, but they
made show OF resistance until they
We're forced to fall back by overwhelm-
ing numbers
Whom the Tan arrived with the rein
iorcements a council Of war was held
hnd II was decided to ut once give UP
The lDrL Ia tho pYh
force was taken back TO Glbnra.
Inc officers of tho Tan say the Span
lsh soldiers whom they took to Banes
We're mere boys, and yet they claimed
70 nave been IN eighteen endorsements
IN the vicinity OF Gibara. The soldiers
We're poorly equipped. Some OF them
wore caps others old straw hats. md
their heads. v"
As soon as the rebels found them
selves In possession OF Banes. thew
cut all telegraph and telephone wires,
una ~ once began to hurnss Gibnra.
and the commander of the fort was
expecting an open attack ut any mo-
ment.
The officers OF the Tan say that tho
whole country Is up In arms, and that
everybody favora the rebels only
boys were left In the port of Banes
To load ana unload the vessels. The
feat OF the male population Ind inin-
ed the rebel RANTS. II il also stated
mat many of tho rich planters are In
sympathy with the rebels The rebels
seem TO have plenty OF cash, and the
ofncefs OF the Tan say that every yes-
sci that sails to Cuba 10 asked by rep
iesenthtives or the insurgents TO btiN,
rifles and cartridges In tho United
states and smuggle them to Cuba. They
VIII pay In advance for these, and il
Is Wen known that nearly every ves-
hel thnt sails TO Cuba smuggles arms
TO the Insurgents, The officers OF the
insurgents tried to make bargain
with the captain Just before she sailed.
There is rumor at Banes and al
para That tho Brazilian insurgent, De
Nlelio' was expected with war YES
hel ana that 800 men to aid the insur-
Eents and one OF the oflicera OF tho
Tan who saw De Mello lombard rio
says there Is evidently good ground Tor
the rumor, and lie further says that be
Melio can whip both the Spanish gun
boats with even an ordinary mnn.of-
war.