The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-27
Unconfirmed Report that the Patriots
ern Part OF Matnnxas.
ACTIVITY AT THE CAPITAL
SPANIARDs MAKING PREPARATIONS
FOR DEFENDING THE CITY.
Earthworks Thrown Up on the Land
Side and Marines Taken from War
Ships TO Man the Guns.

y HAVANA, Dec. 2s.-Since the arrival here
last night of Captain General Martinez de
Campos from Matanzas he has been in con-
ference with leading military and naval Of
iciais. the civil dignitaries and the leaders
of the different political parties. They as
sembled at the palace last night and, in the
course OF a number OF patriotic speeches. 6
pledged their unconditional support TO the
government in its efforts to suppress the
insurrection, and promised TO do everything
possible in the way of moral and actual as
sstance.
Senior Galvez, president OF the Autonomist
party, during the course of a speech. which
was warmly applauded, advised the Cap
tain General not to expose himself to the
fire of the insurgents. who, the speaker
claimed, made war against the lives and
property OF civilians, never making a stand
long enough TO cause engagement be-
tween the troops, and adopting all methods
of savage warfare. Senor Galvez also
stated that. in spite OF the supreme effort
made by the insurgent army. they had not
heard OF the capture OF any towns, the
mischief of the enemy being confined 10
small villages and the plantations OF the
island. He compared the army of Gomes
tars." and expressed the opinion that the
raid OF the Cubans into the province OF
Matanzas, where they had done so much
injury to crops. would turn out 10 be the
worst thing for them in the long run. as
the fields, cleared OF the standing cane.
were now much better suited for military
operations.
News from the front seems TO be inter
rupted both by rail and telegraph. and no
Information was obtainable concerning the
movements OF the insurgents. The Captain
General, on his arrival here, announced that
the Spanish troops in Matanzas occupied adj
vantageous positions, and that the Cubans
would either be compelled to fight a pitched
battle in that province or surrender. IL Is
not generally believed, however. that the
march of Gomez and Maceo on Havana
has really been stopped and that they are
in retreat. In support OF this 1t is said
that II Gomez and Maceo were retreating,
the government would not be slow in max
ing public every item OF news obtainabie
concerning this feature OF the hitherto tri-
umphant march or the insurgents from the
province OF Puerto Principe. through the
province of Santa cara and the provinces
of MatanZas, and to the vicinity OF the
borders of the province OF Havana, in spite
In the territory traversed. The last news
of the movements of the Spanish columns
wSs that they were heading for Guanabana.
the headquarters recently evacuated by
Campos, situated not far from Matanzas.
PROBABLY NOT RETREATING.
The fact is so many announcements OF
the defeat and retreat OF the insurgents
have been made that IL will require strong
confirmation to make anybody here believe
that such is an actual fact. When the In
surgents first entered the province OF Santa
Clara II was announced that they had been
defeated with great loss and had retreated
across the border. But the next news
ceived from the front was that the Cuban
army was threatening Placentas, moro
than half way between the border and the
capital. Santa Clara. and since then they
have apparently pushed onward with little
or no interruption.
The absence Of news OF the movements
of the insurgents is causing some anxiety
among their friends here, but they claim
Gomez and Maceo are i'm possession OF the
railroad and telegraph lines and that II was
with difficulty that Campos succeeded In
reaching Havana last night. Be that as IL
may. the news obtainable is that furnished
by rumor and IL the authorities are in pos
session or any auultlOudi ldceS dAi seSH
matter is carefully suppressed.
In the meanwhile active preparations are
being made here, both for defense OF the
city and for forwarding to the front all
the troops that can be spared. IL Is under
stood that the Spanish columns in the rear
of the insurgent army have been ordered
TO concentrate as quickly possible TO
the frontier OF Matanzas and that every
effort is to be made to prevent the retreat
of the Cubans into Santa Clara. While
these preparations are being made TO ap-
parently stop the insurgents from escaping
hack into Santa Clara, the land fortifica-
tions OF Havana are receiving attention
dav and night A number or additional
earthworks have been thrown up during
the last month also and these are being
hastily completed and supplied with guns
az rapidly as possible. The magazines ars
being plentifully supplied with ammunition
and the outposts OF the Spanish troops
around Havana are being strengthened ana
more securely fortified.
throughout the night ana all day there
has been an air OF hurry and anxiety at
the different headquarters here which does
not seem to indicate that the supreme
authorities are in any. was satisfied that
the insurgents are retreating. and II mill
tarv activity goes for anything. the most
determined efforts are being made 10 pre-
vent a surprise.
STRENGTH OF THE BELLlGERENIs.
There is considerable speculation here as
10 the actual number OF men unocr ths
command of Gomez and Maceo. The high
est estimates have Il that the Cuban army
numbers 1900 men, while the lowest num-
Der OF followers OF the insurgent leaders
are credited with having under their COM
mand IS 5000. IL is to be presumed. how
ever. that Gomez and Naceo have ioooo
men with them as they are known 10 have
been joined oy large numbers OF adherents
since they entered the province OF Aatan-
zas The insurgents have also been plentl-