The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-07
SPANISH-CUBAN CONFLICT
Neyler Is Outaeneraled BY Gomez,
the InSurgent Chief.
CORRESPONDENTS BARRED OUT
Newspaper Men Not Allowed TO Accom-
pauy the spanish Army--Americau
Citizens In Spain VIII BE Fully
Protected In Future.

Havana, March 4. via Tampa, Fla,
March 6.-Maximo Gomez In the recent
movement of the main body of insur-
gents east from Havana province
across Matanzas to the line of Santa
Clara, and then back to the center
of Havana province, again displayed
the genius which has made his mill
tary operations remarkable. General
Weyler. with more troops, better or
ganiZed. more thorough preparation for
transportation, and a more largely
augmented cavalry than Martinez
Campos had, has been out-generaled
by the Insurgents chief The official
reports had the two large rebel columns
surrounded by three columns of SPANS
best troops. The government forces
extended their lines i'm the shape of a
triangle and for two days report of
decisive engagement was awaited with
interest. As no correspondents are now
permitted to accompany the troops,
just what occurred is not clear. From
all l can learn, i believe that Gomez
pushed one side of the triangle back
while Maceo's troops threw back the
others and the insurgents passed out
at the opening. The fighting that oc-
Cured was not serious, for with about
10000 on the insurgent side and double
all told We're less than one hundred.
When 1t was known that the rebels
had gone east into Matanzas, the troops
followed. When the troops started
east, ii was learned that both rebel
leaders we're going west They had
sent their wounded over the line into
Santa Clara, and We're unincumbered
for future operations.
pIrMnpS EpnM ,rAnprn
Washington, March G.-The news
from Madrid that the United States
consulate at Valencia, Spain. had been
attacked yesterday is probably founded
ON a misrepresentation 1t certainly
caused surprise at the state department
in view of the fact that this government
has no consulate or consular officer
there. Secretary Olney went early to
the cabinet meeting and could not be
questioned on this subject. Other Of
ficials in the department say that they
know of no official dispatch with re-
gard to the alleged outrage.
Valencia was formerly commercial
agency of the United States under the
consul at Denia. 1t was discontinued
as such agency some years ago. An
drew +. Fay. of Illinois. our consul at
Denia, who has only recently been ap-
pointed and has, Just reached his post
OF duty. may possibly have taken up his
residence In Valencia as ii is near Denia
and l. may have been his residence
that was stoned, but the state depart
ment as far as can be learned. has no
information on the subject. Valencia
Is a city of more than n hundred thous-
and inhabitants. situated 1870 miles east
southeast of Madrid, and two miles
from the sea.
No advices have been received by the
Spanish legation on the matter. nor
are any expected After the prompt
apology rendered in the Barcelona af-
fair the fact Is understood to be ac-
cepted by the United states that all
proper steps have been taken by the
Spanish authorities to protect the
American flag and American citizens.
CANE BURNED.
Gomez Countermarched to the middle
of Matanzas province where ne stopped
to see that the estates should not obey
Weyler'S order to ground cane Those
found to be preparing had their cane
burned. 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 NOV
ing west for aboW month. These for
ces added to those which remained in
this province make the situation more
serious here than at any time. The
outpostS of the enemy are within ten
miles of .he city Asa rule property
of Cubans who sympathize with the re-
bellion, also that of Americans, Is
spared, though in some instances whole
towns are given to the torch. The
Cubans melt away on the approach of
q large column of Spanish troops, but
reappear when the Spanish leave.
Railroads are operated in this man
ner. AS telegraph wires are down most
Of the time there is no telling what Is
ahead of the ira in: an exploring engine
with one armored car advances eau
tiously along the line. The engineer
watches for missing rails and sawed
ties. while the troops watch for insur-
gents. The rate Of speed Is about five
miles an hour Tie train Is followed
closely also with one or more armored
cars. with guard. When rails are found
missing others are laid down unless
there is an attack. Proving bands Of
robbers and incendiaries follow the
movements of both columns of both
armies and commit outrages. The in
surCents hang these men, and the Span
iards shoot them, whenever they are
caught.
The prospect of any kind Of sugar
crop is less encouraging than ever.
Gomez in Il talk with an American
planter recently said: 81 divide the war
into three periods--that of inva sion,
that of occupation, and that of ex-
pulsion. We are i'm the second period.
He alluded to his march westward
and 10 that of Maceo through Pjnar Del