Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-11
CUBAN SITUATION.
A Serious One for Spaniards
and Growing Worse.
Disastrous Encounters on Battlefield
Keeping Havana in Suspense.
Events Of Next Few Days Looked Forward to
with Great Anticipation.

correspondent of the Mail and Express,
Elbert Rappieye, under date of March 4.
was serious one for the Spaniards and
daily growing worse. At Havana, he says,
the possible resignation of Gen. Weyler,
the fear OF such rioting as has occurred in
Barcelona and other parts of Spain, the
amazement over Maceo's sudden appear
ance before the city with an army of 49,
600 cavalry, and series OF disastrous en-
counters in the battlefield have kept
Havana in "A state Of suspense for several
days. Tonight. the palace is In gloom.
and everyone is looking for the develop
ments of the next few days with misgiv-
ings and with something approaching a
conviction that the revolution in Cuba is,
at last, to succeed.
Messengers are speeding across the
country in every direction, bearing the
news that the United States has in both
houses OF Congress given practically
unanimous vote for the recognition of the
new republic. In the city of Havana 5000
soldiers of the regular army and all the
available mounted police are In READINGS.
to move at moments notice to repress
the expressions of indignation, If they
should become violent manifestations
against the handful of Americans who are
here. Sympathizers with the Cuban caus-
are in momcntary expectation of hearing
that the South and Central American re-
publics have followed the example of the
United States.
Invasion, occupation, expulsion, are
the three stages into which have divided
the war, " said Gomez recently in n letter
describing his confidence OF Cuba's free
ION; and he added: g I have invaded and
occupied every province of Cuba, establish
ing our government, ana acquiring a
possession so complete that we need only
the recognition OF our rights by the other
nations OF the world before we shall pro-
coed with the expulsion of the enemy"
Outside the city the presence of the
army Of Moceo is ovcrshsdowing in its
immediate Importance even the sensa-
tional events which have upset all Spain,
and an alarm has followed which has
caused the American question to take a
second place, temporarily.
Gomez and Alaceo no sooner completed
their march eastward through Matanzas
putting an end to all Possibility Of 81 ind
ing by the few planters who were inclined
to obey Gen. Welyer's order, then the
former took IA position near the border Of
Matanzas and Santa Clara, and Maceo re-
turned to Havana province. Maceo has
brought back H. 900 cavalry. He has left
ell the wounded in the east, where there
are improyised hospitals strongly pro
tactcd. The IL, coo men are all armed,
the majority of them with iiausers: and
they, of course. carry the marhctte. They
have plenty of ammunition, and, besides
being hardened through the series of al
most daily encounters, they are under the
following leaders who have come back
with Maceo: Pedro Diaz, Nunez, Delgado,
Castillo Rabi, Quintuc Bandera,
Roderguez, Alvarez, Mestre Torres and
Betancourt.
With Gomez, who is in position to as
sist Maceo If necessary, are Serafin
sanchez, Angel Gerra, Lacret, Perez,
Antonio Nunez, Alemann and others.
whose combined forces number about
49, 900 mounted men. They are scattered
within day or two days march from
Gomez main body, which numbers about
1000. Gomez also has a sufficient quantity
Of ammunition to last through any opera
tons that may be necessary for carrying
out the present plans. The expedition on
the unknown steamer which escaped, from
the cruiser Herran Cortes in Matanzas
rbor, last week, has doubtless landed its
cargo. The freedom with which Gomez
aud Maceo pushed their way eastward,
despite the combined operations of the
four divisions under Gems. Linares and
Aldecoa and Col Tort and Col Hernandez
(aud also Gen. Ncvarro until he was de-
prived Of his command and sent back to
Spain, last Saturday, as Il penalty for his
reverses), and also the return OF Macco
with so large force, explain the alarm
in Havana and make 1t easy to understand
the strength Of the rebel position outside
the city.
The rebels are now inviting battles
Their policy of avoiding contests has
necessarily been changed by the nature of
their campaign around this city. Even
the Spanish reports do not say now that
after each meeting the enemy has been
dispersed. This regular announcement
as been changed TO IA statement that they
have taken another position at some par
ticular point.
Food is scarce for man aud beast
Everything is smut off from the country
There is no milk in the city and droves of
asses are lei through the streets to be
MIXED at houses where, as food for infants
Or invalids, their product is vended at 81
a quart. Asses milk has always been
somewhat of a luxury, but at moderate
price in the past. Now it is precious
necessity, but beyond the reach of the poor.
Goats milk Is being used On the tables Of
those who can afford it, and what milk
can be had from few cows stabbed in the
city sells at 90 cents pint. Eggs arc
scarce and nearly all the hens aud chick
ers have been killed for food. Everything
else in proportionately high priced and
this, with the fact that more than half the
labor of the city is unemployed, adds to
the suffering which is now manifest in
every quarter.
1t is very probable that the government
will be forced to issue rations to the poor
in a short time. That is being dono al
ready in Matanzas, Cienfuegos. Pinar del
Rio and in at least score Of other cities.
The oxen and horses are suffering also
draymen, even if they were able to earn
their usual fees, could not pay the prices
charged for fodder.
have referred to the reports hat Gen.