The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-05
ENClRCLlNG HAVANA
The insurgents Are Closing in on the
Capital of Cuba.
A CRASH WILL COME SOON
indications Point to a Speedy Ter
mination OF the Insurrection.
and In Favor OF the Cubans
Hustle and BustIe.

Havana Jan. 4.-The near approarh
OF the insurgents has caused many
people In the districts around Havana
10 gather into this city. The price Of
provisions has already begun to 60 up
aiarmingly. In the streets, the hustle
and hustle OF military Is visible. Every
man or boy who can be placed under
arms has been called upon to shoulder
rine. and warships have landed
every man and gun available for the
defense of the city.
In the face of these preparations To
repel the enemy from without most
vigorous plans have been laid out to
pattie within the enemy within. The
authorities recognize the fact that
when the insurgents guns are heard
In the distance they may be a signal
Tor a popular uprising. which will di-
vert attention from the enemy and
enable the latter to make a dash into
Havana, which Is expected to end the
war and enable Cuba to gain her in
dependence. The Spanish commander
insists that there Is no cause for
alarm and that the Insurgents column
VIII shortly be dispersed By the Span
ish troops
One of the insurgents columns has
crossed the railway at Batabano. the
extremely southern station near GuIf
Batanano. and almost due south Of
Havana This column Is now at or
about Poso Pedondo, northward of
Batabano. and apparently moving IN
the same direction as the column Of
insurgents previously reported as head
Ing for Guira Melena, which leads peo-
pie TO suppose that II Is the regular
guard OF the body. All columns TO the
south OF Havana appear to be cfrclinr
northward and toward Pinar del Rio.
with the object either of pushing into
that province or completing the circle
around Havana
Unless all indications are mtsleadInr
the end of the Cuban insurrection is AT
hand. and the result IL would seem.
must be I'm favor OF the Insurgents.
whose armies under Maxino Gomez.
Antonio Maceo and Quintin Bender.
are nearing this city from three differ
ent directions This fact. 20 frequent
ly denied In Official circles the past
two weeks. is now generally admitted,
although all sorts Of lame explanations
or the triumphant advance OF the Gu
pans are put forth In the hope OF calm
Ing the public excitement. The ad-
~%@NN bC1ANs WtIC NJ 4&pd&Le. IL miles
from Guanabaco. practically a suburb
OF this city. last night, and Il is said
Cuban scouts have been sighted to-
day from the lines defending Havana.
Step by step. General campos has
been driven back before the advance Of
the victorious army. until his prepara-
tons are being completed on both
sides for final and decisive struggle.
General Bandera and column camped
ast night at San Jose de Lasmkas. q
short distance from Tapaste, and his
'orces are now said 10 be moving on
iuanabaco 20 take up the position as
igned for the Siege OF Havana An
'ther report has IL that Bandera Will
ry 10 pass Mount Bejuca to Rincon
md from there to Santiago de Lasve-
yas. 10 cut the railroads leading into
havana IL Is claimed that Bandera
will camp this evening at vento farm
within rifle shot OF the outposts of the
'paniards.
The main body OF the second insur-
ent column under General Gomez was
eported this morning 10 be at Duran.
noving In the direction OF Guira Mel
ma, at the bend of the railroad leading
rom the province OF Pinar del Rio into
iavana. Other portions OF the Gomez
olumn. now said to number 5000 men.
ere sighted to-day at Gulvican and
an Felipe. only slightly TO the east
ard and northward OF Guica Melena.
The third tnsurgeut column. under
eneral Maceo. was announced this
Iorn4ng TO have passed Ceiba, Mocha.
nd should now be In the vicinity OF
m Antonio Vegas. or between there
nd Nazareno. Nombre de Dias. Julia
> Gaia, Mercida and other plantations
the Gufnes district. through which
Ie Insurgents have just passed. have
'en completely wiped out by fire.
The utmost CONSERVATION prevails IN
'vernment circles. Military authori-
- seem TO have fallen into a complete
ate of helplessness. Government on
ais are blaming different Spanish
nerals for the condition of affairs.
terly regardless OF the fact II was
Lmpos' plan of campaign The wild
altering of his forces all over the
and Is mainly 70 blame for the crisis.
capacity has been supplemented BY
'kness and treachery. The Spanish
ldiers. in spite OF all denials. have
serted in considerable numbers. Sto-
5 are afioat here of a wholesale re-
olican propaganda at work among
Idiers from Spain. which. II Is claim
viii yet bear astonishing fruit.
Big insurreat victory.