The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-01-03

Other, Yet the CuDans are NOT Oniy
Artful Dodgers Themselves But aain-
tain in Some Mysterious Way an Under
standing SO Perfect That They Create
Diversions in One Anothers Aid When
ever il VIII DO the Most Good.
Havana, Jan. 2.-An engagement be-
tween Spanish troops and the insur-
gents has taken place aS FL Stante, not
far from the frontier of the province of
Havana. Official announcements say
that the troops captured the insurgents
position, but the loss to the enemy is
not known. 1t is admitted that two
Spanish officers and four soldiers were
killed and nineteen wounded. The in
surgents, following their usual tactics
did not attempt decisive engagement
but after a skirmish, proceeded west
ward, devastating the country as they
marched onward.
Havana, Jan. News received to-
day leaves no doubt that the insurgents
are in large force in the province Of Ha-
vana, and are spread over q, wide space
their rearguard stretching back into
Matanzas province, while their van
guard is at Aqua Gallo, a town of some
Importance on the railroad between Ma
ianzas and Havana, and only a little
over thirty miles from Havana. Appa
uently the full force of the insurgents
is engaged in this renewed incursion 90
wards Havana. But they maintain
the same scattered formation, divided
into columns, which proved so effect
dive in carrying them into the immedi-
ate neighbonhood of MatanzaS, the diff
ferent columns apparently retaining
the intuftive faculty of knowing the
Whereabouts and needqs of each other
and thus being able to cooperate with
one another and avail themselves to
the full Of THE feints and diversions
which the different columns carry out
for the assistance of the others.
SPANISH ARE HELPLESS.
The Spanish commanders are appar-
emily utterably unable ITO cope with
Il1is style Of warfare, or to check the
destructive advance Of the insurgents
which is now once more directed
straight upon Havana.
Early in the day the authorities ap-
paremtly had hopes of preventing the
entrance of the Insurgents into Ha-
vana province. When it became known
that they were going in force on the
borders, two battallions of troops were
stationed at Las Palos to oppose their
advance into the rich valley of the
Guinas district, which is studded over
with some of the most valuable cane
fields in the island. This force seems
10 have failed utterly to prevent the
insurgents from passing them and rea-
ching Aqua Cate, which is, however,
well TO the noTthward of the GuinaS
district.
1t is learned that Gomez now intends
-
ern province of Pinar del Rio, and the
situation is considered exceedingly
grave, in view Of the great activity that
has been manifested by local bands of
Insurgents in Pinar del Rio ever since
Gomez advanced into Matanzas. 1t
Is known that Gomez has directed these
movements, Notwithstanding the des-
igna ton of their leaders by the author
files as mere bandits. 1t is feared that
this advance Will be accompanied by a
general uprising i'm the provinces, CO.
operated in by the local leaders, who
are alroeady very well equipped for
doing damage.
An advance into Pinar Del Rio would
have the effect of practically surround
Ing this city with insurgents, and there
are ill-concealed fears of an uprising
within the city of the insurgents SYM
pathizeus. The authorities. however,
pressed confidence that the insurgents
WIFI not dare to atteck Havana, and
that the movement is merely a raid in
Tended to destroy property, as was the
last one.
PRISONER RETURNS.
HOnore Lane, who was a prisoner in
Gomez's hands during five days, has
effected his escape and has returned TO
Havana. He gives an interesting ac-
rount of his experiences in the insurgent
camp and explains some of the mysteT-
les of the insurgents movements. which
have proved 50 successful for their pur
poses and so battling to the Spanish Hu-
thorfties. He describes the so-called re-
treat of the main force of the insurgents
from about MatanZas, through Nava-
jas Toruiente, Cuimea, Murga and Agu-
ada, when it was supposed they We're
hurrying to Santa. Clara province for a
refuge, or were making a demonstration
upon Cienfuegos, and their subsequent
countermarch by a more northerly
course by Calinete, Manuffto, Ba.ro and
CorralfalSo in the direction of Alfonso
VIII. Lane declares that Gomez and
Maceo are at tire head OF a. force of 5000
cavalry and infantry, the cavalry be-
ing eXcellently equipped. and that they
have a well organized force OF 300 men
to carry stretchers.
Gomez's aid de camp. Cruz, has been
ed and his bugler has also been killed.
The infantry force, Lane describes as
being fitted with Mauser rifles. while the
Test ofdhe force is armed with different
kinds Of weapons.
SIX MILES IN WIDTH.
When the column is on the march. he
says it spreads out over six miles. both
TANKS being carefully guarded by scout
ing parties under command of the
brothers NuneZ. 1t seems that several
failors accompany Maceo's column, VINO
devote themselves exclusively 90 the i'm
surgent generals wardrobe.
The engagement with General Navar-
no. Lane says, was a surprise TO the an
surgents and they sustained a numerous
loss. During the engagement a shell
fell within a short distance OF General
Gomez. Lane himself was slightly
wounded by a rife bullet. He reports
that most DANA ge done to the country is
done by the dnSurgent infantry. He as
serts also that General Gomez intends
TO make the advance in Pinar del Rio
with his cavalry.
Reports are received that the cane
fields Of the Central estate Of Carmen in
Ehe districts Of Union Del RuyeS have
been burned as well as those on Con-
chita plantation in the district of Al
fonso XIII, and the fields at Valiente
on the border of the province of Mat
amZas.
II is said that Gomez asked the gar
rison Of the fort at La Yagua, number
ing "a. to drop their arms. as he did
not desire TO see bloOdShed. but Cap
TAIN San Martin sent back the message:
IF you want them, come and take
them"
The garrison then repulsed the insur-
gents with loss.
HAS EIGHTEEN THOUSAND MEN