The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-03-07
FOR DEAR CUBA'S SAKE
Maxine Gomez Displays His Military Genius
and 0utgeneraIs the Spaniards.
INVASION, OCCUPATION AND xPULslON
Is Whnt The Great Insurgent Leader
Says He Has Divided thc War
into, nnd ric Said shnt He Was
Now in the Second Period, Dcscrib.
Ing His Lntc March az the Invnsion

Havana, March 4. Via Tampa, March
6.-Maximo Gomez. In the recent move
ment OF his main body OF insurgents
east from Havana province across Ma
tanzas to the line OF Santa Clara and
then back to the centre of Havana pro-
vince, again displayed once more the
genius which has made his military op-
erations remarkable. General Weyler,
Win more troops, better organization,
more thorough preparation for trans
portation and n largely augmented cav
airy than Martinez Campos had has
been generated by the insurgeut
chief. Wcyler's first failure was when
Maceo WAS allowed TO enter Havana
province from pinar Del Rio and effect
junction with Gomez In spite of the
wall or men across the island Then all
available troops were sent ont to
strengthen the columns which were
Closing III on the two rebel leaders. with
lii twenty miles of this CITY, The official
reports had the two Eirge rebel columns
surrounded by three columns of Spain's
pest troops, with cavalry. infantry and
artillery. The Government forces cX-
tended their lines in the shape of n tr,an-
Ele, and for two days Il report OF a de-
clSiHe engagement was awaited with
interest. AS no CORES pondentS are now
permitted TO accompany the troops, lust
what occurred is not clear. From all
can learn, believe that Gomez rushpd
one side OF the triangle back. while Macco
pushed back the other and the iusur
gents passed out the opening. The
hghting that occurred was not serious
FOR with about 10000 on the insurccnt
side and double the number of Spanish
troops the losses all told were less than
100 When II was learned that the rebels
had gone east into MatanZas, the troops
followed. Other columns were sent by
rail TO head them off on the line into
Santa Clara. There were no engage
incnts OF importance. for when the
troops had all been started cast it was
learned that both rebel leaders were
going west. They had sent their wound
ed over the line into Santa Clara. and
were unencumbcred for future opera
tionS.
GomeZ countcrmarched to the middle
OF MatanZas province, where he stop
pea 10 see that the estates should not
obey Weyler's order 10 grind cane. Those
iouhd 10 be preparing had their cane
hnrned. Maceo returned To Havana
province. He brought with him his own
column OF about 5000 men and as many
more belonging to the column from The
orient, which have been moving west
Tor about month. These forces added
to those which remained In this pro-
vince make the situation more serious
ne enemy are within ten miles of the
city.
Ihc Government holds nearly cvcry
railway town, although most Of these
towns have been entered and partInlly
burned down. Only by the use of forts
are the troops able to hold these towns.
and while the garrison Is shut IN he
hind barricades. exchange shots with
a portion of the invading party. other
detachments search stores for a:ms
ammunition and other supplies and Sc,
ilre to buildings owned by Spaniards
AS rule property OF Cubans. who
sympathfze with the rebellion, also that
OF americans. Is spared. though in some
instances WhONs towns are given TO
the torch. Outside of The fortified
towns in this province are many small
towns. which have been occupied by
local bands of insurgents for weeks.
The Cubans melt away upon the an
proach of large column OF Spanish
troops. but reappear as the Spanish
leave. Railroads are operated in this
manner. AS telegraph wires are down
most of the time and there is no telling
what is ahead of the train an exploring
engine. with one armorcd car, advances
cautiously along the line. The engi-
ncer watches for missing rails and
sawed ties while the troops watch for
insurgents. The rate of progress Is
about five miles an hour. The train
follows closely, also with one or more
armored cars, and a strong guard WfAn
rails are found missing others are laid
unless there is ar attack The trim
10 Batabano is sent out two days q
week. Although 1t runs along the
strong line across the Island and has
block houses within rifle range OF each
other, the train seldom reaches its des-
tination in one day. On the return trip
rails. which have Just been laid, are
missing and others have TO he substi-
tuted. The western railway into Pinar
Del Rio has not ran further than ten
miles from this city In six weeks. No
trains have gone to Guanajay in a
month. Trains to Matanzas seldom get
through. - Nearly every station on the
line has been destroyed. In other pro-
vnces affairs are about he same. The
operations of the insurgents are direct
ed against railroads which are empIoyed
for moving Government troops and
! against planters whose crops furnish
SIain with tire revenues Of war. Incl
Ientally much other property is destroy
cd. people are made homeless and des-
titute. Prcwlng bands of robbers and
incendiaTes follow movements OF both
columns Of both armies and commit out
RACES. The insurgents hang these mon
and the Spar!ards shoot them whenever
they are caught and convicted Every
war has its horrors. and this one is
not exempt. The blame for the depreda-
tions committed does not all belong to
the Cuban side. however. Spanish