The herald., 1896-02-02
Admitted to Have Reached a
Precarious Stage
GEN. MARIN IS AMBITIOUS
To Strike a Death Blow Before Weyler's
Arrival
Prices of Provisions in Cuba Contioue to Go
Up-Basiness Is Utterly Paraiyzet
and nerchants Bankrupt
Associated Press Special Wire

HAVANA, Feb. 1.-(Copyrishted, 1896,
by the Associated Press. )-Considerab
anxiety is felt here regarding the result Of
the military operations now being con-
Quoted against Maxine Gomez and An
tonic Maceo under the persona, direction
of Gen. Marin, the acting captain-general
of Cuba. 1t is believed that Marin has been
aiming to strike death blow before the
arrival of Gen. Weyler. But ambition is
not the only spur to Gen. Marin's activity.
1t is admitted, even in Cuban circles, that
the insurrection has reached precarous
stage from several causes, notably lack of
ammunition ana arms and the want of fresh
horses and supplies. The steps taken
by the Spanish in gathering in
of all the horses and cattle
possible, have had the effect of weakening
the insurgents considerably. Their horses
as rule, are almost worn out. and being
kept almost continually on the march for
months past, they are not allowed to re-
cuperate. Tne Spaniards seem to be aim
ing to keep the insurgents cons antly NOV
ing from place to place, night and day and
to gradually wear them out. There is
little doubt that the insurgents are feeling
the effect of this, for their trails are marked
by nu -nbers OF lame horses, and their num-
Der is increasing as time wears on.
Hitherto the great drawback nnder
which the Spaniards labored has been the
lack of cavalry with which to pursue the
quick-moving mounted infantry of the
Insurgents. This is being gradually over
come. There is no denying that the Span
ieh commanders have succeeded in keep
ing the insurgent armies apart. With this
object in view a new military line has
just been drawn, north and south, from
Pinar del Rio, through Guanajay and Ar
temus. TO The southern coast, neac Man
gas, and upon the maintenance of the new
line great deal is said to depend.
A dispatch from the frontier says Brig
adier-Gpneral Canelo, who is in command
of the military line drawn across Pinar del
Rio, was engaged yesterday with a portion
fight took place between Miro1 and San
Augustine. and is reported 10 have resulted
in a repulse of the insurgents.
Gomez, when last heard from. was in the
neighborhood of Paso Redondo, little
north of Batabano. which would seem TO
substantiate the official statement to the
effect that he has been driven. eastward
from the frontier in inar del Rio, owing
to the pursuit of the Spaniards.
The health of Gomez continues to give
anxiety to his friends, and it is expected
that consumption will carry him off inside
OF two months.
A report was current in Cuban circles
here yesterday that there is considerable
dissatisfaction in Gomezs camp, owing to
some OF the actions of the Cuban junta in
New York. and it is said that body is
strongly blamed for the insurgents failure
to receive much-needed arms and ammu-
milton, ard rumor has it that there are dis
agreements between the insurgent armies
in the field. rRelnforcements of cavalry
are being hurried on to General Marin
from every available point. His exact
whereabouts are not known, contradictory
reports in This connection having been pur-
posely circulated to deceive the friends of
the insurgents.
The exodus of the better class of people
from Cuba continues. and the price of pro-
visions continues 10 20 up. IL fact, mat
ters have almost reached the point where
the poorer classes will have to depend on
the authorities for relief. Luxuries are
worth their weight in gold. business is
nearly a thing of the past, and trade with
the interior may be said TO have ceased
excepting that part of it which IL carried
on by vessels.
The country merchants are either bank
rupt OF nearly SO, and the banking firms
are being called upon from all sides for
assistance. People who can do so are in.
very many cases realizing upon their be
longings, and everything tends 10 increase
the feeling of depression. The worst of ii
is, there is no giimmer of sunshine any
where, the best that can he expected being
q long, tedious struggle with All uusatisfac.
tory ending to the business man, in any
case. Tho movement of the troops seems
to be the only enlivening incident of life in
Havana, and people are getting tired OF the
military display, In short the insurrection
is tiring everybody and running business.
The Matanzas railroad situation has be.
come SO bad that the company has decided
u reduce the WAGES Of all it's employees.
The present schedule of wages adopted ID
only so, 40, Is and 5 per cent of the old
rate OF wages. and some of tho engineers
have refused to take out their trains be-
cause of the reduction.
Lieut.-Gen. Pando recently issued notices
offering employment TO 1000 laborers on
different plantations in Cuba. The gen.
eral situation is so bad here and suffering
has been SO extreme that hundreds
thronged to headquarters in response 10
his offers and he found it impossible to
furnish employment for all.
II is now claimed the wives of the negroes
will be given uniforms and they are now
allowed 10 accompany the insurgents on
their raids, those in command hoping that
they will initiate the achievements OF the
Amazons OF Dahomey.
MARIN's MOVEMENTS
New YORK, Feb. LA special to the
World from Havana says: General Marin
has returned with bis entire force from
San Antonio to Quivican and San Felipe on
the military line between Havana and Bat.
abano. The rebel band cut the railroad
and telegraph between Buena Vista and
xuivican. 1t is reported, though not off.
cially confirmed, that Conner, with his
force, committed the depreciation. IF this
IL true, it is argued that he has taken alarm
at General Marin's sudden movemen,
and has abandoned his intention of Joining
Maceo. General Marin, with a strona
force of infantry. artillery and cavalry
started from Havana for Pinar del Ric
province, where it wae known that both
Gomez and Maceo had been raidlng. He
camped at San Antonio. . pretty little
town I'M the railroad half way between
Rincon and Guanajay.
1t was supposed when Gen. Marin left
Havana that he would go straight to Qua.
malay, but he changed his plans upon learn.
ing that the telegraph wires were down be-
tween that place and Alquizar.
A FILIBUsTEk STEAMER.
BALTIMORE, Nd, Feb. LIT has just
been learned that another steamer hat
been brought here. presumably for the
Cuban revolutionary party to be fitted for q
nHbussssaAg sapsditten. The now acQuisi