The National tribune., 1896-01-02
FIGHTING IN CUBA.
Havana is Being Fortified, and Cuban Vic
tories are Reported.

havana is Beins Eortined, and Cuban Vic
tories are Reported.
in the reports received from Cuba early last
week il was stated that the insurgents had been
defeated in several battles, aud were then in
full flight Gomez and Macoo were reported
retreating as rapidly as possible to tho Cioniaga
de Zapata. the Swamp Of the Shoe" on the
southern border. II was stated that after the
engagement with the column led Ivy Gen. Cam
pos At Coliceo. on the evening of Dec %, Gomez
moved ia southern direction a distance of
nearly 20 miles, aud occupied Navaias. an i'm
pnrtant railway center. Gaceo moved to
Sabauilla. small town on the railway near
Union. The object of the insurgents was stated
as being a desire to destroy the sugar planta-
tons. and prevent sugar making this Season
Gen. Campos was reported as pursuing the re-
treating insurgents who were avoiding pitch
ed battle. The Cubsns. AS located In he reports
would have been within easy reach of the fast
nesses in the dense marshy country which
extends along the southern border of the
Province OF Matanzas.
Later reports from Havana state that the
Spanish are fortiiying that city, while great
excitement prevails among the residents The
Spanish authorities still insisted that the in
surgents were in full fight, but the report was
not credited. rs everything pointed 10 prepara-
tioEs 10 resist IN attack OF tho Cubans. Pro-
visions were collected. cattle were being driven
believe he glowing accounts OF Spanish victory
News from tho front was very meager. The real
position OF tho insurgents at the time accord
ing 10 reports was not definitely known. If
Gomez succeeds in pushing his troops within
a reasonable distance OF Havana. AN uprising
among The Cuban sympathzers in that city is
not ai 81 unlikely.
A Philadelphia paper published Monday an
account Of a baltic fought at Colon Dec. 81 in
which il is claimed that the Cubans won a
great victory. The substance of the article is as
follows: Gen. Campos had at Colon between
$4,000 and 10000 men, His position was such
that be feared no attack from the insurgents.
An attack WAS made, however and the Suauish
army WAS utterly routed All his artillery fell
into the hands OF the enemy. Immense num-
bcrs OF troops were at once started for the
scene Of the BATTLE and according to the best
Rdyices the C6bans would be forced 10 abandon
their position. Rumor in Havana has it that
Gen. Oliver was killed and Gen. Prats mortally
wounded. Both were in the Spanish service
/ IL Is also SAID Gen. Camposs son was killed,
and the Captain-General slightly wounded
Othcf engagements have taken place in other
parts OF the island with varying results Gen.
Pando's command in the Province of Santiago
F, is hard pressing the insurgent force under Jose
Maceo. Gen. Pando, it Is said. will shortly
succeed Gen. Campos in command of the Span
ish forces. The Sugar Band. so long talked Of,
has been organized and will issue 500 900 600
IN paper money, Of which 100000 will be
used 70 aid the Crown and the remainder
loaned TO needy planters. Gen. Campos had
been vigorously criticised for his war policy.