The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-25
Great Excitement at Havana and
Much Apprehension that the City
Will He Attacked Very Soon.
AN UNCONFIRMED RUMOR
CAMPOS Is SAID TO HAVE FORCED
THE INSURGENTS TO FIGHT.
He 10 Also Reported to Have Killed
and Wounded roo of the Cubans-
The Authorities All mt Sea.

VOopyiiSnt, $780, Dy the Associated Press.)
HAVANA, Dec. A.-Shortly after noon
To-day the startling news was received
from Matanzas that General Maximo Co
mez. at the head of the insurgent army,
said to number about 1900 men of ali
arms. fairly well supplied with artillery.
had, by feint, turned the flank of Captain
General Martinez De Campos, In command
or the Spanish forces at Colon, who was
attempting TO stop the advance OF the
enemy on Havana, and were well to the
westward Of Colon and threatening to pass
Matanzas to the southward and strike d.
rectly at Havana. The receipt of this
startling news has caused the greatest ex-
element here both in official and 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 Lguira,
and there, after defeating Colonel Seguera
| and Spanish column, made a most won
derful advance through the province, pass
ing through the flower OF the Spanish ar
my assembled there, and said to number
| about 5000 men. After some sharp skr-
| mishing, in which the Spaniards were
| worsted. General Campos. who had made
! his headquarters at Santa Clara, trans
nounced intention of personally command
ing the troops which were to check the in
| surgent advance. But. in spite of reported
repulses, the insurgents pressed onward,
| and, passing Placetas, Santa Clara, San
| Juan De Lasyeras. Ranchuelo and other
| towns, pushed on for the frontier of
Matanzas At time it was reported
II that they intended to attack Santa Clara.
| but their tactics seemed to be to pass all
| the big towns and press on for Havana.
| 1t was only a few days ago that the ap-
nouncement was made that the insurgents
| were at Las Lajas, and marching onward
| to Havana. Then came the news that the
| insurgents had entered the province of
| Matanzas at Palma Sala. Before this,
| however, General Campos had changed his
| headquarters to Colon, and he commenced
hurriedly concentrating forces there, in
tending to compel General Gomez to fight
a pitched battle before passing that place.
| A day or so ago the insurgents caused
furry in Colon. Firing was heard at
| Ajuica about fifteen miles from that place,
| and reinforcements were sent to the front
from Colon; but this turned out to be little
| more than an outpost affair and while
the Spanish troops were pushing for the
| point the main body of the army passed
southwark of Colon, near the line OF the
| railroad, and headed steadily for the from
| tier of the province of Havana, thus turn
ing the flank Of the Captain General, who.
| with the bulk of the Spanish forces in
the island of Cuba, is now well to the rear
| of the insurgent columns.
THE INSURGENTS ADVANTAGE.
The insurgents moving much more rapid
! ly than the Spanish troops who are utterly
unused to travelling in this thickly wooded
| country, without regular roads and with
heavy grass and low bushwood to interfere
| with every movement are not thought like
| ly to be able to catch up with the quickly
moving Cubans, whose machetes clear a
road for their advance, and who, much
more familiar with the country and accus-
toned to the climate. easily distance the
Spanish soldiers, only recently brought into
the country Gomez. by q beautifully ex-
ecuted countermarch, has turned the flank
of the famed Spanish commander, and yes
terday with his army made his appearance
close to the town of Jevallanos we'll to the
rear Of Colon, and commanding the rail-
| roads to Cardenas. Matanzas and Havana.
The movement Of the insurgents was an
example OF splendid generalship, accom-
plished under 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 to the south, un-
der Lacerete and Suarez, numbering over
2.000 men; another northward, under An
tonic Maceo. number over 5000 men, and
the center, the main body Of the insurgents
numbering over 5000 men. under General
Gomez. In the center Of each column was
the artillery. consisting only of field pieces
for each column. Ahead OF these three
columns was the vanguard Of the insur-
gents. composed of 1000 men and command
ed by General Francisco Perez.
The insurgents burned the railroad sta
tion of Quintana. eastward Of Jevallanos
and destroyed the railroads behind them
to prevent the advance of the Spaniards on
their rear The last news received this
afternoon was that they had passed Limo
mar, small town only a few miles from
Matanzas. and were pushing for the rail-
road which connects Matanzas with Ha-
vana. 1t seems that there is nothing likely
to prevent them from besiegng Havana
within the next few days. for the Spanish
commanders appear to have entirely lost
their heads. and unless General Campos has
accomplished a marvel of daring strategy
In allowing Gomez and his forces to slip by.
in order that the Spanish troops may be
hurried after them. and. by sortie from
Havana, catch them between two fires. the
insurgents are masters of the situation
ODDS AGAINST SPANIARDS.
The odds against the Spaniards being
able to press on after the triumphant in
| surgent army are very heavy. Not only
have the insurgents destroyed the railroads
behind them. thus burning their ships. as
IL 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. As II is. the in
Lsurgent cavalry has been sighted within