The herald., 1896-01-14
THE siege GUNS At HAVANA
Placed in Position to Resist the
Insurgents
RECOGNITION IS FEARED
And May Be Nearer at Hard Than Is
Supposed
According TO Cuban Authority Spain Would
Like TO Sell the Island to
Great Britain


| WASHINGTON, Jan. l3.-Torpedoes are
being planted in the harbor Of Havana and
heavy siege guns are beirg placed in posi-
ton. This was the private information
received by the Cuban junta and given out
by Senior Rubens last night. AS the insur-
gents have not ship afloat, the inference
is irresistible that Spain expects interfer-
ence from the United States. and is pre-
pairing to defend tho capital from attack
by sea. Action by the United States look
ing to the recognition of the belligerent
rights of the insurgents may be nearer than
generally expected.
1t is stated on apparently good authority
that President Cleyelands Venezuelan
message was double-barreled affair,
which hits Salisbury in two places at the
same time. According to the secret agents
OF the Cuban government, Spain is at the
end of its resources and will have to sus-
pend specie payments entirely within the
next thirty days. With bankruptcy star
ing it in the face, Spain, it is said, made a
proposition to sell the island of Cuba to
Great Britain, Lord Salisbury, it is nti-
mated. according to Cuban authority,
sounded the United States on the subject,
and the reply was President 'leleland's
vigorous enunciation of the Monroe doc
trine.
Senator Davis of Minnesota. at the head
of a subcommittee having the matter in
charge. 10 now drawing up formal defni-
ton of the Monroe doctrine, which en-
pands the original declaration and makes
it clear as the formal doctrines of the
American congress. Those who claim to
know now say that this declaration is in
tended to meet both the Cuban and Ven
ezuelan cases.
AS the dry season ends in March, it is
said that if Spain does not succeed in stop
ping the rebellion by that time the United
States will certainly recognize the insur-
gents as belligerents.
The Cuban colony is in ferment over
rumors that recognition by the United
States is at last at hand.
TIE TORCH OF WAR
HAVANA, Jan. l3.-There was another
alarm here this afternoon. Clouds of
smoke were seen rising in the direction of
the village of Vegas. near San Francisco
de Paula, a small town only about five
miles distant. This was followed by a red
glare. showing that great fire was in pro-
gress in that direction. The alarm spread
throughout the city and the report was
again circulated that the insurgents we're
approaching. But this was as nothing to
the feeling of terror that came over the
HlOEe tlillC Vi Tue pOpuldtlOu WHcl StlIi
larger fire was seen to have broken out.
This time it was made out that the town
of San Francisco de Paula had been set
on fire by the insurgents and the alarm in
creased, although the authorities professed
to sneer at the matter. claiming tne fires
We're only the work of few beaten in
: surgents who had been driven to despera-
ton. In spite of these assurances and the
statement that the Spanish generals have
for some days past been aware of the
whereabouts of General Gomez and COM
pletely ignored his presence near Havana,
it is claimed the troops must be very busily
engaged elsewhere fer the insurgents to be
able to burn whole village within sight of
Havana and yet remain unattached by the
government forces.
The greatest apprehension is felt for the
safety of the water works which supply
Havana. They are situated at Nento,
about five miles from this city and less
than that distance from San Francisco de
Paula, reported TO have been burned this
af ernoon by the insurge nts.
The friends OF the insurgents have re-
peatedly asserted that they expect d pop
ular demonstration in their favor to be
made i'll this city as soon as they arrive in
sight of Havana, but they are not pracy
caly in sight of this city and there ara no
signs of an uprising, and the authorities
claim there is absolutely no danger of such
an outbreak. Every measure which il is
possible to take for the defense of the
city and in order to protect property has
been taken. Although the Spanish author-
ties are making the best of the situation it
is known that Captain.General Campc.s is
very much disheartened al the turn events
have taken during the last six weeks and
rumor succeeds rumor day by day of his
probable retirement from command.
The government is securing all the
horses possible in order to mount the
TrcDt CE
the insurgents being the rapidity With
which they have been able to move, on ac-
count of their forces being mostly COM
| posed of cavalry. 1t is stated in Official
| circles that General Gomez camped last
night at the plantation of Fajardo, near
Gabriel, in the province of Pinar del Rio,
! having found it impossible to pa the
military line drawn by the s,raniards
across the island, and that the i,'~.-gen,s
reported moving northward from Quivican
! are not the main body of General Gon ag,
| as at first supposed. but only o small por-
ton of his forces, which has been cut Off
! from the rest.
| The insurgents operating in Havana and
| Pinar del Rio have burned the vii!~ge of
Salud and have partially burned the viii
| lage of Quivican and then marched toward
Bejucal and burned on the way freight
| train.
Charles Solomon, the New York news
| paper man, who was arrested here as a
| suspect, was sent back TO New York today.
Al Saratoga insuree ts have burned the
| cauefie!1s on the plantations of the Brook
| company of Guatanamo, the value being
| $l50,0O0.
| TELEGRAPH LINES CUT
] NEW YORK, Jan 4,-The central cable
office of The Western Union Telegraph
company today sent out the following no.
! tce:
! The land lines south Of Havana are
| again in errupted, cutting off telegraphic
! communication with all West Indian points
| south of Havana, via Key West. Trains
| leave Havana for Batabsno al a. m. and
| p. M, returning about the ssme time.
| All messages will go forward vi. train un-
| less specially marked "via Galveston
which route is available at higher rate.
| New Gold Field
! DENVER, Colo. Jan. 13.-Saw Pit Gulch
! in Southwestern Colorado, is coming to the