The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-14
Being Applied to Property Within a
Few Miles Of Habana.
spANIARos APPEAR TO BE CALM
Despite Onward March OF OPP
posing Hosts.

Francisco do Paula. n small town only
about five miles from here. This was fol-
lowed by red glare, showing that great
fire was In progress In that direction Tho
alarm spread once more throughout the
city, and the report was again circulated
that The insurgents were approaching.
But this was as nothing TO the feeling OF
terror which came over tho more timid
portion OF the population when a still
larger fire was seen To have broken out.
This time 10 was made ont that the town
of San Francisco de Paula had been set
fire to by the insurgents, and the alarm
increased, although the authorities pro-
fessed TO sneer ut the matter, claiming
that the fires were only the work Of few
beaten and retreating insurgents who had
been driven To desperation
In spite OF these assurances, and the
statement that the Spanish generals have
for three days past been aware OF the
whereabouts OF Maximo Gomez, and com.
pletely ignore his presence near Habana, IL
Is claimed that the troops must be very
busily engaged elsewhere for the insur-
gents to be able 10 burn q town and
village within sight OF Habnna, and yet
remain unattached by the government
forces.
The greatest apprehension here is felt
for the safety of the waterworks which
supply Habana. They are situated as
Vento. about five miles from this city,
and less than that distance from San
Francisco de Paula, reported to have been
burned yesterday afternoon by the insur.
gents.
usbaua Prepared For Attack.
The friends Of the insurgents have re-
pcatedly asserted that they expect popu-
lar demonstration in their favor To be
made In this city as soon as they arrive
In sight OF Habana But they are now
practically In sight Of this city. and yet
there arc no signs OF nm uprising, and the
authorities claim that there Is absolutely
no danger Of such an outbreak. Every
measure which it is possible TO take for
the defense of the city and in order TO pro-
tect property has been taken. In addition
TO the military. volunteers and civil
guards all the different branches Of busi-
ness have organic ii special corps OF men
who will take part In the defense OF Ha-
banu against an enemy from without or
within.
or course, the insurgents in small bands
may succeed In approaching still nearer
TO Habana, tho Spanish authorities al.
init. aud tho military men insist that they
have completed their plans to drive the
seem To pay little or no attention TO the
movements of the enemy about Habana,
relying upon the strong garrison, power
ful forts and the warships 10 defeat any
attempt to make a dash into this city.
Regarding the rumOr that the insur-
gents have planned TO explode bombs and
start fires In several parts of this city upon
a given signal soon rs the insurgents
are near enough to Habana for them TO be
In position Of making dash for the capi-
tai, the authorities say that steps 10 de-
feat any such movement have been taken
for weeks past.
They claim that the streets OF every
part OF this city are so thoroughly pa.
trollrd by day and by night that the au-
thorities are in position 70 nip such
conspiracy I'm the bud, and that at the
first signal Of an outbgcak every strategic
point will be occupied in overwhelming
numbers by the military who have been
previously detailed for this purpose all
over this district and that, consequently,
IL would be utterly impossible To cause
any diversion Of Importance here In favor
Of the insurgents
Spanish General Sore at Heart.
Although the Spanish authorities arc
making the best of the situation, IL is
disheartened at the turn events have
taken during the past SIX weeks, and
rumor succeeds ruuior, day by day, OF his
probable retirement from tho command
OF the Spanish forces here. II not his re-
turn to Spain He attributes great deal
Of the success OF the enemy to their SUI
periority In moving quickly from point to
point. and Is still con nldent that IL he is
supplied with sufficient number of cav
elry regiments he will be able TO evontu-
ally put down the insn:reotion.
This, however, IL hopeful view OF the
situation, which Il not taken by all
thoughtful people, and the uthrrcuts of
the Spanish government are anxiously
longing TO hear OF tecisive victory for
the Spaniards and Of the arrival OF fur
ther rc-enforcemsnts from Spain.
The insurgents, according 10 report now
have as many men rs they want; but
they are still sadly In need of arms and
ammunition with which 10 equip them.
That is now said Co be tho main difficulty
under which the insurgents are lnboring
and the feature of their campaign which Is
the most difficult 20 overcome. 1t is
known. however that they are receiving
support in many quarters hitherto opposed
10 them, and thuy aro expecting tho ar.
rival of supplies ON the northern coast of
the provinces OF pinar del Rio, where
Garcia recently landed VI the head OF an
expedition
The insurgents, Ia Is further stated,
have sent large sums OF money, through
secret agents, 10 the United States for the
purpose OF purchasing arms and nmmuni-
tion needed, the money having boon raised
in different ways, from planters and
others during their triumphant march
from Santiago dc Cuba to Pnar del Rio.
But this cquipplng OF small army
naturally takes considerable time, and on
this ground tho assertion Is made that
there is no prospect Of an immediate at-
tack upon Hnbana.
The insurgents have burned the fine
bridge nj Consolation del Sar, and have