The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-07

HAVANA, Jan. 6.-Little news Is re
ceived in this city regarding the move
neuts of either the Spanish or Cuban
forces, the lines of communication be-
ing cut in every direction out Of Ha-
vana. Enough is reported from points
in the province of Pinar del Rio. how
ever. to show that the insurgent col
umns have covered a wide territory
in that province and are destroying the
sugar cane and damaging the tobacco
crop.
At Cajbanas, a seaport town of con
Siderable Importance the insurgents
have destroyed the lighthouse.
The destruction Of Guira AIelena, the
burning of which was reported in these
dispatches, seems to have been com
plete. 1t is an important Village OF 4,0OU
Inhabitants situated in a fertile district.
The report from there said the in
surgents plundered the church, the
business houses, the stores and private
residences and then destroyed them en-
tireiy. They have also said to have
killed the mayor and a prominent mer-
chant of the place. Similar tales come
from other towns in the route of the
lnsurgent march Guirira, a small
village east of Guira. Melena, was also
burned.
The mayor of the village of San Fe-
4pe, it is said, was intent upon offer
nC a resistance to the invasion of his
Novn by the insurgents. THE mayors
Cemerity caused much surprise to Max
imo Gomez and his followers set about
10 burn the village. The citizens went
to the mayor with a request that The
offer no resistance 70 Gomez, and there
upon, says the report, he offered no re-
sistance.
The plantations Of Salvador, Julia,
San Augustine. Santa Teresa, Merce-
iita, Mora and Mirosa have been
burned.
The infusion of panic-striclen people
into the city spreads a general fear
Of alarm Last night q torpedo was
exploded in front Of the Corona cigar
mandatory in the city. No one was
hurt and the fire that resulted was eX-
Ginguished without much damage but
che incident had a sinister look and
As Z. tangible expression of thing
that even the most hopeful citizens
fear, and that is an outbreak in the
city of disahected elements in case the
insurgents came in the city
There has been a, mass meeting Of
forces of troops in the northwest
province of Havana, today, which is
Immediately west and southwest Of
Havana There is some faint attempt
10 hold out a claim that this is de-
signed as a strategic movement to hold
the insurgents in Pinar del Rio as in
trap. as was claimed would b, done
when the insurgents broke through the
line into Santa Clara. and again into
1antamzas. But there is no robust
conviction in the minds Of even the
most hopeful of the authorities that
Gomez will not be able to lead his
forces out Of the province of Pinar del
Rio when it is so needed or when any
peril develops there for his army. It
is perfectly well understood that the
troops taking position in the north
western frontier are designed to pro
tect Havana, from possible attack by
The insurgents now overrunning Pinar
del Rio.
Loud disclaimers are being uttered
by the authorities that they have any
fear for the welfare of the city. 1t is
pointed out that the city is well forti-
fed, being protected by The strong
fortress Moro. ana being garrisoned
BY the Cubanas Principe, Alares, Santa
Clara and Reina troops, with heavy
artiIeIs- and by 10000 volunteers with
10000 more loyal citizens in the city
willing to take I'D arms With these
forces at command. the authorities OK
press the opinion with great confidence
surgents to capture the city unless
they We're provided with seige artil-
lery. 1t is claimed only small bands
of insurgents are engaged in the op-
eratious under Gomez and that they
are stu only N small towns.
"~he main force Of the insurgent
army is now in the province of Pinar
del Rio. the advance guard being at
Pastoral and at Taco Taco. A small
band is reported at Hoto Colorado ard
at Salu1ad. The opinion here is that
the movements of the insurgents is di-
Tected against the country districts,
and although preparations have been
made here against a possible surprise,
there is no present fear of an attack.
A statement credited to Or. Artegias.
thar the Spanish military doctors are
poisoning the sick and wounded
troops. IS pronounced untrue ana is
attributed to professional jealousy. His
course is pronounced most ungrateful.
H0TSF TARIFF RIIL.