The Forrest City times., 1896-01-03
sPANIARps ALARMED

W tth the Situation More Desperate Than
 at the Beginning.
 1 NEW YORK. Dec. 3f.-The Times to- day publishes the following Havana | dispatch dated December 2S:
 The excitement in this city is al- most beyond description. For the first | time the blind supporters of Spanish rule in the island realized that it is | seriously threatened by the revolu- i tion- The shock has been the more ] severe as it was expected by those whc have faith in the military abilities of Martinez Campos that the moment had arrived when fine Cuban forces. if not entirely crushed, should meet with such d sudden check as to demoralize. scatter and send them flying back tc Camaguey. Instead of that antici- pated result of Gen, Martinez Campos plans- 1t is he and his whole army who are flying before the victorious enemy. whose progress seems to ind no oDpo- sitlon and no obstacle.
 1t Is impossible Uo ascertain how many times and to what extent the Spaniards have been defeated. The government has so far succeeded in suppressing the news, which must have reached Havana 1t is said that the mail from the immediate vicinity of the field of opera tion has been withheld and if any let ters have been received by private courier, those receiving them are care ful not to make the contents public. iu order to avoid suspicion respecting their connection with the rebels. One thing, however. is plain, and that is. that Martinez tdmpos plans have been shattered. and that he mas been com pelIed 60 beat a nasty retreat before the advancing enemy
 Mutterings from Spaniards who are supposed to be well informed in ra.rard to what is occurring indicate that the situation is q critical one for the span lsh government. while Jhe reserve and moderation shown by some OT the most outspoilen and rabid peninsuIars aD- pear to be confirmation of taa5 fact In the cafes and other public places the serious and grave mieu of the Spaniards Is noticeable feature. Their long faces and their wAisperlnrs show that all Is not well with them. They will not, however, even ac- knowledge fact that is plain co every body.
 Martinez CampOs winter campaign from which he hoped 50 much. aas ut terly failed. Even if things with him and hls army have not gone so bad d. seems to be the case, there Is no doubt
 
 no sugar crop. and this means no reve- nue for lne spanish treasury. which is really some seven million dollars be- hind it's obligations. Moreover should Gomez, having accom- plished his purpose. withdraw from the territory which he now cccu- pies, before Martinez Camnos can again place his troops in position to commence active operations the rainy season will have set in, and he will find himself at the end of the dry sea son in a worse condition than at the beginning of it. and having to face an enemy greater in number, better sup piled with arms and ammunition and encouraged by success.
 As an indication of the extent to which the spanish commanders have lost their heads. their Precipiuate dili- gence Ill fortlfying the approacles Havana should be pointed our. No one not overcome by excitement could suppose that Gomez. at the present moment, would ever dream of attack ing the city. There might have been possibility, although remote. of his making an attempt against Matanzas. not for the purpose of holding the city. for this he is uo doubt aware to be be- yond his power, out to secure such arms and ammunition as might have been found there.
 Some of the newspapers here seem to find consolation in the fact that cane fields having been destroyed. the Spanish army will be able to operate with more freedom, while the rebels will not find where to hide themselves. They forget, or feign to forget. that the Cubans have been advancing over the burned fields, and. therefore. in clear sight of the Spaniards. who were retreating before them
 1t IS rumored that Gen. Pando has been called back from Santiago. His assistance seems to be necessary here. although there are several dozens of generals on the field. At Santiago. Gen. Pando has done nothing but in crease the Cuban forces with several hundreds of men from that city who did not care to trust themselves to his humane instincts. He is one of the most brutal and sanguinary of the Spanish generals.