Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-01-25


Havana, January 24-FOr some time
reports have been in circulation here
concerning the physical condition OF
Gen. Maxine Gomez, commander in
chief of the insurgent forces. One
story has asserted that he was suffer-
ing from wounds and another that he
was seriously i'll with fever. 1t ap-
pears from information derived from
trustworthy sources that neither OF
these reports is correct, but it is pos
sibly asserted that the insurgent chief
is a very sick man. 1t is stated upon
the authority cited that the doctors in
attendance upon Gen. Gomez recently
held a consultation and diagnosed his
disease as being an advanced state OF
consumption, complicated with fever.
1t is further stated that the physicians
have come to the conclusion that Gomez
can only live about two months longer.
These statements have caused consider
able alarm among the insurgents and
their friends, as, even though his con-
dition may be exaggerated TO some de-
gree. it is believed the main facts are
correctly stated.
Besides, accoi ding to the reports from
the front, he is being sharply pushed by
the Spanish troops and is getting little
Or no rest now-day or night. The ef-
feet is that his movements can now be
marked by a trail of tired out or lame
horses. which the insurgents leave be-
hind them. The opinion is expressed
here that the insu. gents are n desperate
straits and that for Gomez every hing
now depends upon the safe arrival in
the province Of Havana Of the eastern
army of insurgents under Generals Jose
Maceo and Rabi.
Gomez. yesterday for time, appeared
half inclined to risk a decisive engage
ment with the Spanish troops. He was
bivouacked at the village Of PlasOlle,
no, far from Quivican, south Of this
city. Col. Galvis, in command of the
Spanish troops at Quiv.can, gathered
together all the government troops
available and moved with a strong col
umn upon the enemy The latter, con
trary to custom, awaited the approach
of the Span.ards, but after half an hour S
firing. during which a number were
killed and wounded on both sides, Go
mez suddenly divided his forces into
two columns and commenced to retreat.
One of the insurgent columns re-
treated southwark to the Lagia district
and the other towards Batabano.
COL. LINARES PUSHED
on after GOmez's forces, and had a
skirm:sh with the enemy's rear guard.
When last heard from, the Linares col
umn was closely pressing after the en-
emv and Col. Galv.s, having been re-
inforced by troops under Col. Aide
Goa. three columns were started in pur-
suit of GOmez's forces. News received
at an early hour this morning showed
that Gomez apparently reunited his
forces last night, but broke camp th-s
morning when informed of the approach
of the Spanish troops.
The forced night march, however,
had told terribly on the Spanish infant
rv and the mounted insurgents of Co
mez had no difficulty in getting away.
The Spaniards had also effected a juno
tion. Colonels Linares and AldecOa hav-
ing united their forces so soon as. the
scouts brought word that the two in
surgent columns had wheeled in to-
wards each other Later. the third
SDanish column. under Col. Galvis, re-
inforced the columns under Colonies
Linares and Aldecoa, and this strong
force started in pursuit of the insur-
gents. moving in a southerly direction,
soon after breakfast this morning.
4 prisoner. severely wounded, who
was captured by the troops, reported
that the men and horses of the lnSur-
GENTS are becoming exhausted from long
marching and are also snort oil amnuhl-
ton and provisions.
A dispatch received from Cientuegos
eavs that Major AlonZo, with 800 men or
The ANA battalion. has been engaged
for three hours at Lesjas, in the Glen
fuegos district. with a strong lorce ol
insurgents and that the insurgents IeIt
twelve killed and fifteen wounded on
The field and retired. taking with tnem
1oanv othsr wounded men. Only a few
cDanisb soldiers were wounded IAe
authorities now have TO face
SERIOUS PROBLEM HERE.
Tho nr;ces of all kinds Of provisions are
aoing nm RAPIDLY every day In spite
s-b3s neoDIe are focking into Havana
Sron, tbe country districts and other
rrov.nces. and in many cases the reiu-
- orc naoole who have lost almost
everything they possessed ana yer!
Great numbers Of them, mere ana els
where are depending on charity. Inc
cost Of the war has been enormous anu
tho drain created by provisioning the
army has been very great. Conse-
o,,on+1v this extra expense which the
aTtborit;es Will have to meet In some
r,,,nnar or other is causing them
a-.oa+ daol of anxiety. However. there
= = 1,~qa and ever-.ncreas.ng exodus OF
rlanters = and others from this city, hun
Ids leaving by every steamboat Dounll
Co.. the Uni-el States. Jamaica, Hayu
or South American ports.
The increase Of crime in all the prov
incas IS sad 10 be enormous.
Prs,nesa IS almost ar a standstii ana
commerce IS practically thing OF the
I'm 1,5a work Of strengthening the de-
fanses Of Havana continues without IN
.s..--,9+son -, A number Of additional
Ill -, n for-s have been erected al Havana
ia Nd. he authorities claim that there is
ahSol,+elv az no danger Of sudden at
tsck bv the Insurgents, much less Of a
snccassful siege Of Havana
In spite of this assurance. however, a
feeling of gloom and depression prevails
NC There IS no longer any talk OF
eettIine the insurrection by crushing
SIow and although the advent Of Gen.
Wevler V1e is looked forward TO as likely