Evening star., 1896-12-24
CUBAN HOME RULE
Gomez Reported to Be Willing to
Accept Autonomy.
WOULD TREAT With GEN. De CAMPOS
Recent Severe Fighting Near San
tago de Cuba.
SPANISH DEFEAT CLAIMED

HAVANA Cuba, December 24.-It is re-
ported that many insurgent chiefs, includ-
ing Maximo Gomez, willing to accept
an arrangement for Cuban autonomy, but
that they are unwilling to treat with any
Spanish general but Martinez Campos.
Reliable and indubitable information has
been received that Maceo passed the trocha
on December by land. and not by sea- 1t
was his intention to deliver a great blow
for the Cuban cause near Havana. and
then TO proceed Immediately eastward 1t
is alleged that he had made Maximo Gomez
and others Indignant. and that they aban-
doned him to his own fate without assist
ing him, being Jealous of the preponderat-
ing influence acquired by him during his
stay and by his able management In the
province OF Pinar Del Rio. 1t is further al
legged that the white element among the
Cubans looked with unfriendly eyes on
him because Naceo represented the colored
cement and might have become In time
dictator or president
The Spanish government has semi-ohiclal
advices of the concentration of insurgents
in Santa Clara, both from the eastern and
the western part of the island.
Since December II the insurgent forces
under Gen. Garrido have besieged and at
province. December IA they sent letter to
the military governor. Maj. Manuel Perez,
calling upon him to surrender, Or they
would commence the bOmbardment. of the
town at o'clock that night. At 7:3O o'clock
in the evening the forts and entrencheS
opened fire against the insurgents, who
were engaged in burning the country huts
and dwellings, without permitting the fami-
lies to save their furniture or anything
else. Part of the garrison left the town to
engage the insurgents, and drove them
with the bayonet into the woods. Some of
the countrymen assured the troops that
numerous bands of insurgents were concen-
trating in that district
December Is fires in different directions
could be seen from tower on the planta-
ton of Pillar. and besides movement of
considerable insurgent force which was er
camped at Yngenio Capote.
The Insurgents under Carrido also besieg
ed and attacked the town of BaeZ, in Santa
Clara. and burned several houses in the
outskirts of the town. Notwithstanding the
superior numbers of the insurgents the gar
rison refused to surrender, and after two
days siege Gen. Solano came to their as
sistance with his column.
CaliXto Garcia'S forces are in motion in
the ManZanilla district of Santiago de
Cuba, going toward the river Cauto. 1t is
reported to be his intention to cross the
river and come westward. 1t is also re-
ported that Maximo Gomez received orders
to move westward, but resisted the orders
of the Cuban government for a long time.
The last reliable reports from ManZanillo
say that Gomez has finally taken up his
march with an escort in the direction of
Santa Clara.
Cubans Claim Spanish Defeat.
CINCINNATI, December pa special to
the Commercial Tribune from Tampa, Fla,
says:
One of the Cuban leaders received news
from Havana confirming the report recently
received of Spanish losses sustained near
Santiago and other towns near there while
attempting to capture the cargo of fill
clustering vessel. The SpanIards were rout-
ed, and they wired to Deschelaino, thirty
miles away. for aid.
train was made up there at once with
great secrecy. but the Cubans there knew of
IT and sent word out to a nearby insurgent
camp. The track was dynamited as the
train came along, the bomb exploding
causing great destruction, four cars being
almost blown into splinters. The terrified
Spanish soldiers poured out of the wreck
Crly 10 receive whitening fire from the
Cublns concealed behind the roadbed. The
Spanards fought bravely for few mo-
ments but the odds were too much and
Trey fed in all directions. the Cubans pur-
suing ttem for miles. Over forty Spanish
soldiers were killed or wounded and forty
taken prisoners. The Cubans secured a
quantity of arms, ammunition and medical
supplies II is reported that the expedition
were taken to Gomezs camp.
In Havana much speculation has been in
6ulged in as to why Weyler changed his
mind and went to the Pinar del Rio section
instead Of going to MatanZas and into San
IA Cara provinces. as had been arranged
The solution Is that bad news was received
nom the Spanish front near the trocha al nd
that Spanish commanders not wishing TO
stand the responsibility. wired for Weyler
The Most Reliable Cuban Ne,.s,
COLUMBUS. Ohio. December 24.-A note
from Juan Du Bose. first secretary Spanish
legation. Washington. to a Columbus rner-
chant says the most reliable Information
about the position of Cuban insurgents is
given by the Associated Press" and one
newspaper, which he names The mer
chant keeps an outline map of Cuba III his
window marked with tacks to show the
position of the armies He was cautioned
to regard dispatches purporting to come
via Key West with suspicion
Favor the Cameron Resolution.
DENVER, Col, December 2I.-The Den
yer board of aldermen has adopted resolu-
tions urging the Colorado senators and rem
resentatives in Congress to use their hest
efforts to secure the passage of the Cam
eron resolution.