Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-09
IMPORTANT BATTLETO CONE
General Gomez Looking for Cooperation in
Havana.
Has Sent for Reinforcemcnts - Will
Avoid an Open Engagement
for the Present.

NEW YORK, January "a dispatch to
the World from Havana says: An impor-
tant conflict seems to be impending.
The overpowering Spanish columns every
where in the vicinity of the small bands OF
insurgents that have been marrying the
country north of the railways have leen
called in.
Gomez evidently is consolidating his
forces.
The insurgents are in two large bodies.
One, under Maceo, is near Ceiba del Aqua,
on the boundary line between the provinces
of Havana and Pinar del Rio. The other,
under Gomez is west and south of GUIANA
jay, over the border in Pinar del Rio prov
ince.
There appears to be no probability that
Gomez has intentions on the Vuelta Abajo
tobacco district.
Havana is perfectly quiet The volunteers
have not been called out, although gen.
eral order issued gives full details Of what
is to be done in case Of necessity.
ST LOUIS, January 9.vA special to the
Republic from Key West, Fla, says: A
cipher dispatch from Havana received here
says that the advance column of Goraez's
army Is camped in the mountainous coun-
try in the province of Pinar del Rio, thirty
five miles west of the capital. The nam
body Of 1nSurgent troops is in sight OF Ha-
vana. and skirmishes with the Spanish reg
ulars are constantly going on. 1t Is not be-
lieved, however, that Gomez will attack
Havana. He is too wary for that.
There are in the insur5ent army under
Gomez, all told, less than HOOD men. The
Spanish in Havana number at :east 1O,RG.
Marshal CampoS would welcome an attack
under these circumstances, and Gen. Gomez
is too shrewd to accommodate the Spanish
commander. He has sent couriers to the
eastern provinces for reinforcements and
will scarcely push the campaign until the
recruits arrive and until the insurgent SYM
pathizers in Havana have perfected their
plans.
Campcs is apparently afraid to engage
the insurgents army outside the city.
Gomez las attempted several times to
draw the enemy out, but thus far without
avail. He will continue to haraSS Cdmpos
until definite understanding with the peo-
pie at Havana has been reached. The
most decisive battle Of the war will be
fought. Gomez is counting upon an up
rising In the capital, and he plans an at
tack on the city simultaneously with this
outbreak.
In the meantime, Gomez will cover Ha-
vana, poth from the east and west, and
prevent the exodus of any considerable
body of Spanish troops, while the advance
column in Pinar del Rio will subjugate
that province.
Havana, to all intents and purposes, is
in state of siege. Martial law has been
proclaimed, and a strict censorship is
maintained over all avenues of communi-
cation with the outside world. Corre
spondeDts of American newspapers send
word to Key West that it is impossible to
forward accurate information, except at
rare intervals, and by resorting to novel
devices.
KEY WEST, January "a Spaniard vino
has arrived from Cuba says that the in
surgents are falling into a welI-laid trap
and it is only matter of a few days be-
fore the Spaniards will have them sur
rounded and all retreat cut off, when they
tlny,n nj {h0
war.
Several American tourists have returned
from Havana and report matters in the
city very quiet.
HAVANA. January 9.-The Insurgents, ac-
eording to the adyices from the front today
are still moving lin the province of Plnar
Del Rio. and as they are keeping near the
coast, it is believed they are awaiting the
arrival of an expedition having with It a
large supply of ammunition, arms, ETC.
The column of Spanish troops command
ed by Gen. Pratt is report ed TO be continuing
the pursuit of the insurgents under Gems.
Maceo, Zayas, Miro and one Of the Nunez
brothers. This force is Said to have passed
by Palomino, following the coast line in the
direction Of Mount Guanajay.
The Spanish troops have been advanced
to positions on Mounts Baracoa, Vaiencaho,
Govlna, Central Lulsa and Mameyes, in the
direction of Banez. The insurgents, in re-
treating, left eight killed and TWEEN y-three
wounded behind them.
Inc owner OF tne piantatloa or santa
Lucia claims that the insurgents are car
rying with them 100 wounded men, among
whom is the leader Miro
In skirnish between the insurgent cav
airy and the Spanish troops in pursuit ci
the enemy; three officers and seven soldiers
were wounded.
At the central plantation of Espe-anza
only five men ard not fifteen, as previously
reported, surrendered to the insurgents at
ter having been surprised by Overwhelming
numbers.
A band Of insurgents unler Manuel San
chez has attacked the troops who were en-
gagged in repairing the Telegraph lines a,
Navajas. The soldiers, who were command
ed by Capt. Rabadan, repelled the attack,
and the insurgents left five killed upon the
field and had two wounded Among the
latter there was their leader, Sanchez. VIII,
was hit by two Mauser bullets.