Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-24
Gomez Reported Likely to Die in
Two Months.
said TO HAVE CONSUMPTION
Spanish infantry Worn Out by
Their Pursuit.
THE ISLAND WEARY OF WAR

HAVANA, January 24.-For some time
past, reports have been in circulation here
concerning the physical condition Of Gen.
Maxine Gomez commanderin-ch.ef OF the
insurgent forces. One story has been as
serted that he was suffering from wounds,
and another that he was seriously Ill with
fever. 1t appears, frcm information de-
rived from trustworthy sources, that
neither of these reports is correct; but 1t is
positively asserted that the insurgent CHIEF
Is very sick man. 1t is stated upon the
authority cited that the doctors in attend
ance upon General Gomez recently held a
consultation an diagnosed his case as be-
ing an advanced state of consumption, COM
plicated with fever. 1t Is further stated
that the physicians have come to the con-
clusion that Gomez can only live about two
months longer. These statements have
caused considerable alarm among the in
surgents and their friends, as, even though
his condition may be exaggerated to some
degree. it is believed that the main facts
are correctly stated.
Gomez has undergone a terrible strain
during the past few months, and he Is no
longer young man.
Awaiting Eastern Insurgents.
Gomez, according to the reports from the
front, is being sharply pushed by the Span
ish troops, and is having considerable diff
Guilty in keeping away from them. He is
getting little or no rest now, day or night,
being kept continually on the move. The
opinion is expressed here that the insur-
gents are in desperate straits, and that for
Gomez everything now depends upon the
safe arrival in the province Of Havana of
the eastern, OF second, army of insurgents
under Gems. jose Maceo and Rabi.
Gomez yesterday, for a time, appeared
v.,lf, ..,Ir 4
with the Spanish troops He was hiouvacked
at the village of PlaZolla, not far from
Quivican, south of this city. Col Galvis, in
command of the Spanish troops at Quivi-
can, heard of the insurgents presence at
Plazella, and Immediately got together all
the government troops available, and moved
with strong column upon the enemy. The
latter, contrary TO custom, awaited the ap-
pearance Of the Spaniards,' and when the
latter We're within range, opened fire upon
them from various sheltered positions. Col.
Galvis waited until the full strength CT the
column was available. and then he moved
upon the enemy in a semi-circle forma ton.
After half an hours firing, during which
number were killed and wounded on both
Sides Gomez suddenly divide his forces into
two columns and commenced 20 retreat.
one of the insurgent columns retreated
southwark to plantation in the Lagia dis
tr1ct. The other retreated toward Bata-
PIANO. The Lagia plantation is not far from
Duran, and there. 1T is believed, Gomez's
Col. Linares pushed on after the other
portion of Gomezs forces, and had a Skin
mish with the enemy's rear guard When
last heard from, the Linares column was
closely pressing after the insurgents, and
COL Galvis, having been reinforced by
troops under Col. Aldecoa three columns
started in pursuit of Gomez's forces.
News received from the front at an early
hour this morning showed that Gomez an
parently reunited his forces last night and
camped at Flor De Maya for short time
But he broke camp at 4 o'clock this morn
ing, when Informed of the approach of the
Spanish troops that had pressed onward
throughout the night. The forced march.
however, had told terribly on the Snanish
infantry, and the mounted insurgents of
Gomez had no difficulty in getting away
Spanish Forces United.
The Spaniards had also effected a juno
ton, Cofs Lfnares and Aldecoa having
united their forces so soon as the scouts
brought word that the two insurgent col
umns had wheeled in toward each other.
Later, the third Spanish column, under
Col. Galvis. reinforced the column under
Coils Linares and Aldecoa, and this strong
force started In pursuit of the insurgents,
moving in southerly direction, soon after
breakfast this morning The trail of broken
down horses left by the insurgents is be-
coming more marked, and they have also
dropped bt hind them some of their heavy
baggage.
A prisoner, severely wounded, who was
captured Iy the troops, reported that the
horses of the insurgents are becoming ex-
hausted from long marching, and that
great numbers OF them are suffering from
sore feet. The insurgents are also said to
be short of ammunition and provisions and
to be living almost entirely upon sugar
cane.
Encounter With Eastern Insurgents.
A dispatch received here today from
Cienfuegos says that Major Alonzo, with
$50 men of the Alva battalion, has been
engaged for three hours at Lajas, in the
CienfueSos district, with a strong force of
insurgents, who were moving in a west
erly direction, and who are believed to
have formed part of the second insureent
army. The insurgents left twelve killed and
hfteen wounded on the field. and retired,
taking with them many other wounded
men, On the side of the troops ONLY a few
soldiers were wounded.
The authorities now have to face a very
aiIneuit problem here The prices of all
kinds of provisions are going I'D RAPIDLY
every day. In spite Of this people are
hooking into Havana from the country
districts and other provinces. and in many
lost almost everything they possessed and
a very great number of them, here and
elsewhere. are depending upon charity.
me cost OF the war has been enormous,
army has been very great. Consequently.
this extra expense which the authorities
will have to meet in some manner or other
Is causing them great deal Of anxiety.
Exodus Of the Planters.
However there is a large and ever n
creasing exodus of planters and others
from this city, hundreds leaving by every
steamship, bound for the United States.
Hayti or South American ports Many of
these people have realized upon everything
they possessed and have no intention of re-
turning, while others are simply leaving
Cuba until peace shall have been restored
in one way or the other. The increase of
crime in all the provinces Is said to be
alarming and all those who can do so are
focking into the larger towns or making
for Havana. Some of these people are
actually without food and the authorities
in many places have no funds with which
to assist them.
This state of affairs is looked upon as
being only the beginning Of still greater
distress and still greater exodus Of peo-
pie from Cuba while, with prices almost I'D
to a siege point here there must soon be
terrible suffering among the poorer classes
here, and elsewhere. Business almost at a
standStill and commerce is nracfjcatlv q