The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-05
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insurgents have long ago slipped by them.
Finally the forces OF the dreaded General
Prat are at Caiba and Mercha, just passed
by the insurgents, and Colonels Seguera
and Galvis, both of whom have suffered
defeat at the hands OF the insurgents, are
struggling along with their columns In
some unknown positions away in the rear
of the insurgent armies. That is the situa-
ton this afternoon. The insurgents
everywhere triumphant: the Spaniards
Inundated in every direction.
BUSTLE IN THE CITY.
The well-to-do people from the districts
around Havana are flccking into this city.
The price of provisions has already begun
to go up alarmingly. In the streets the
hustle and hustle of the military Is visible.
Every man or boy who can be placed under
arms has been called on to shoulder rifle,
and the war ships have landed every man
and every gun available for the defense OF
the city. In the fact of these preparations
to repel the enemy from without, the most
vigorous plans have been laid to battle with
enemy within. The authorities recognize
the fact that when the insurgent guns are
heard in the distance they may be the sig
nal for popular uprising here, which will
divert attention from the enemy and en-
able the latter TO make a dash into Ha-
vana, which is expected to end the war and
enable Cuba to gain her independence
Agents of the insurgents are known TO have
slipped into Hanava recently. and from the
sullen attitude of the Cuban popuace 1t Is
evident that the authorities do not make
mistake in preparing for the worst in the
city when the battling with the insurgents
commences outside. Many OF the prominent
residents are already looking for means to
leave Havana in case OF emergency, and it
is said that orders have been sent to the
commanders Of the Spanish war ships off
the isalnd to concentrate in this harbor.
but if this is the case the orders are likely
to reach them too late to enable them to
be of any service TO the government.
Late this afternoon 1t was reported that
General Campos had sent a special messen-
gen to the insurgents with the object of
bringing about a conference with their
leaders. Not only Was the report not con-
firmed, but the authorities ridiculed the
idea, claiming that the enemy consisted of
only "a few flying bands Of rebels" and
that the Spanish columns pressing on them
had caught the rebels" in a trap, from
which their only escape death or un-
conditional surrender. The Spanish COM
alarm, and that the insurgent columns will
shortly be dispersed by the Spanish troops
MOVING WESTWARD RAPIDLY.
Later in the afternoon il became known
that the body of insurgents which had
been at San Felipe had pushed on through
Quivaca and moved westward on Gabral
and Salud burning all the fields as they
passed. Salud is westward of Havana and
a little further on is the last railroad line
in that direction leading into Havana To
reach Salud the insurgents have already
crossed two lines OF railroad leading into
this city, and after crossing the third they
will have extended the half-moon forma-
tion OF their forces about this city and will
have cut off communication by rail with
the province Of Pimar del Rio, and as they
are now threatening to cut off communica-
tion with the province OF Matanzas through
the force advancing from Tapaste. 1t looks
as IL Havana would soon be isolated. As
this dispatch is sent, however. commune
cation between Havana and Jaruco is not
known to have been cut off by the enemy.
Jaruco is the first town of Importance out
side of Havana in the direction of Matan-
zas. Apparently the three insurgent
columns have been divided up into smaller
bodies in order TO facilitate rapidity Of
movement. But this is only supposition
based on the fact that the insurgents are
heard from in about half a dozen different
towns and directions in this vicinity to-
day.
One of the insurgent columns has crossed
the railroad at Batabano, the extreme
southerly direction. near the Gulf Of Bata-
bano and almost due south Of Havana. This
column is now at or about Pozo RedonGo.
northward of Batabano and apparently NOV
ing in the same direction as the column of
insurgents previously reported as heading
for Guirade Melena, which leadE people to
suppose that it Is the rear guard OF that
| body All the columns 20 the south Of
| Havana appear to be circiing nortnw3rd
and towards Pinar del Rio. with the OBJ
ject either of pushing into that province
or of completing circle around Havana.
This evening information was received TO
| the effect that the insurgents have burned
| the railroad stations at Melena and at
| Guirda de Melena and the fields about Nor
alto and Portugalete.
There is much distress among the inhab-
| itants of the province of Matanzas, especial
| ly in the districts through which the in
| surgents have just passed, and the govern
| ment OF Matanzas has sent an urgent re-
| 100000 with which to relieve the suffering
| of the country people. 1t is not believed
| that the Captain General will be able to
| grant this request.
Jose Rabi, the insurgent leader, has ad-
rived at Puerto Principe. from the western
| part of the island. to relieve Mayia, who
| has been called east by General Gomez.
The insurgents have -cynamited a train
| at Neuvitas. the port OF Puerto Principe
| The engine was blown up on the platforms
| of the railroad station and the engineer
| and fireman were seriously injured. One
| man was killed by the explosion. 1t is
| added that the insurgents tried to take
| possession of the train. but were driven off,
| The positions of the insurgent armies are
| not precisely known tonight.
spaniards Defeated.
| BOSTON, Mass, Jan. 4.-The Globe staff
correspondent in Cuba cables tonight as
| follows via Vera Cruz: "A desperate bat
| tie has been fought to-day near Colon. The
| spanish troops were routed and suffered
| heavy losses. The insurgents captured the
| Spanish artillery and have gained posi-
| ton commanding the overland entrance to
| Havana General Oliver was killed ard Gen.
eral Camposs son seriously wounded.
/
| GOMEZ NEAR GUINES.