The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-03-18
CUBAN ARMY IF SMALL
Is a Reckless Body of Men With Only
One Idea and That I'd Free Cula,
OUTHUNBERED BY SPAaIARDS GREATLY
The Prenent Strength Of the Army of
Liberation is Only Forty.Two
tion of tho Forces OF the Princi-
pal lenders Scarce.

Havana, March 14.-Fia Tampa, March
1.-THE present strength of the Insur-
gent army is close TO $4,000 men. Gu
bans estimate the number OF men III the
field as high as 10000. but even II un-
armed camp followers, men in charge
OF provision trains, hospitals ana camps
We're counted it is doubtful If that num-
ber could be found actually in service.
There are thousands OF CubarIs who
would willingly cast their lot with the
patriot army, but lack of arms and am
nunition prevents The Commander
m-Chef is now in the interior uf Ma
tanzaS.
The following Is a statement of the
strength and location Of the forces Of
the principal Cuban leaders,
Maxine Gomez, in Nlatanzas. 5000.
Antonio Maceo, Miro, Zayas, others in
Havana, 5000.
Serahm Sanchez. In Santa Clara, 1000
Jos2 Maceo. Rojas. Roueriques in
Santiago. $500.
Lacrei. In Havana, 1000.
Quintan 15andera. in Havana, 5000
Masso Alvarez, Castillo, Mcstro. MI
ncz. i'll Havana, 5000.
Delgado. BermudeZ, Sanchez, others,
Iinar Del Rio. $500.
Aguirro. Diaz. Hernadez, Pataccios,
In Havana. 800.
Mayaio RoderigueS, others, CANA
giay, 1900.
Reyes. Benitez. Nara, Wilson, Men
dicta, Santiago, 1000.
ltfacl Cardenas. in MatanZas. 500.
Verona. Ruperto Sanchez, others in
Pinar Del Rio. 500.
Olivia. others in Pinar Del Rio. COO.
Clotilfa Garcia, in Matan2as, 600.
Garlic. Joaquin Garcia, others, In
Santiago Goo
Itolof Pancho Perez in Santa Clara,
600.
Mirabel. Ferrer Veita, in Santa Clara,
COO.
Rcgo, Sixto. Rogue, Pallao, Sanchez,
In Santa Clara. 500.
Cortuna, Vidal, Juan Bravo, in Santa
Clara, 400
Juan Toledo FL Inglesito. In Santa
Clara. 400.
Matagas. in Matanzas, 400.
Robau, Ccbreiro, Ruen, Planas, In
Santiago 400.
aorroto, Lencho, Sarinas, Eduardo,
Garcia, III MntanZas, 400.
Anlct Morkon. Dimas Martinez. So
to!ongo in Matanzas. 400.
Nill#ncoa, A. Coastia. others, in Ha-
vana, 800.
MunoZ. Chapotin, Socorro, Limo Perez
in Santa Clara, 200.
Total. 1880.
The distribution according 10 pro-
Vinccs is: Havana. l6SO0; Matanzas,
5000: Santa Clara. $500; Santiago $500:
l'inar Del Rio, $500; Camaguay, 900
Total. 1880.
In addition to the above there are in
Vulnerable local bands from fifteen TO
fifty or even 100 men. These do not form
part of the lighting force. and should
not he counted as part of the army. The
chief functions are to carry out the or
ders Of Gomez prohibiting the grinding
of cane. the movement of troops. and
supplies by rail. etc. These small bands
serve as recruiting agencies and when
they la tn
they are attached to one Of the army
columns. OF the army proper fully two
thirds are well mounted and about half
are well armed. The others are armed
with shot guns, revolvers, or only with
The me chcte Some of Aiaceo's men
have old style muZzle loading guns and
lead is so scarce that telegraph wire
copned into short lengths Is used for
the charge. Spanish surgeons have on
several occasions reported soldiers
wounded with bits of wire. The insur-
gents Eave few pieces of mountain
howitzers captured from government
troops. There are perhaps Il dozen of
these guns which have been used with
disastrous effect against the small wood
en- forts which the Spanish have erected
al various points The Cuban Army Of
Liberation" as II IS called, has grown 10
us present size in the face OF almost
1nsurmoun,able difficulties.
From the beginning il has been ont,
numbered by the army of Spain I'm the
ratio of never less than four To one. II
has escaped annihilation i'm many en-
counters when ammunition ran out 1t
has lived on forage. been almost con-
stantly under fire. and is to-day n reck
less. dare devil army. with but one idea
in view, and that is TO free Cuba What
comes after Is not given a thought
From a Staff Correspondent of the
United Press)
1t Is reported that Antonio AIacco
the second in command of the rebel
forces is near Candelerla In the province
OF Pinar Del Rio.
Al meeting OF the Reformlst party
mere 1t was decided to take no part in
the election of members of the Cortes II
Deiag held Impossible for the party to do
SO because of the disturbance caused bv
the war. This decision was cabied tn
Madrid. Replies have been received
from the leaders there commencing the
action Of the party. declaring that tho
eiections in Cuba will only be stimulated
ana advising that the Reformis,s only
lake part In elections when the provinces
are pacified