Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-13
executed, and warming others to Tram
their actions accordingly.
GOMEZ TURNS EAST AGAIN.

GOMEZ TURNS EAST AGAIN.
Cuban Victories in the Most Western
Province OF the Island.
Gen. Gomez is proceeding again to the
eastward Of the island of Cuba, with q
large force Of insurgents still left in Pinar
del Rio. He was reported south Of Guara
and near Melena. moving eastward through
the burned canefelds and passing Provi-
dencia and Guines.
A desperate fight between Gomez and Gen.
Valdez. three miles north Of Batabano. yes
terday is reported. The result was not
given.
Passengers arriving at Tampa, Fla. from
Cuba last night report that Rolon's band
has passed over Puentes Grande the Big
Bridge, near Havana. The Spaniards had
stretched heavy chains across the bridge
to prevent the passage of cavalry. This
did not deter the insurgents.
There is still considerable mystery con-
nected with the movements of the insur-
gent forces around Havana. They have
caused much destruction in the province Of
Pinar del Rio, burning number of quite
important towns, plundering trains, stores
and houses, and generally doing all the
damage possible. Frequent collisions be-
tween the troops and the insurgents have
taken place, and the latter are reported to
have had the worst of it upon nearly every
occasion. But the fact remains that they
are still in strong force around Havana.
and that there does not Sssm to be any
immediate probability of driving them
away.
The advance guard of the insurgents, I'M
der the elder Nunez, has captured San
Cristobal, the second town of importance
| in the province of Pinar del Rio, and a
little over halfway between Havana and
Pinar del Rio, capital of the province Of
that name. San CristobaI is the first large
he
quite a victory for them, it is on the
railroad line between Pinar del Rio and
Havana.
At Banes the insurgents have plundered
and burned the great stores. Three clerks
were burned and the mayor was killed.
The stores in the village Of Cdra and
Santa Ana in Matanzas have also been
plundered, and In the Cardenas district the
field of Guimaro has been burned.
The insurgent leaders, Delgado and So
carras, are also reported to have captured
Pinar del Rio. and practically a seaport
town.
Gen. Corners Purpose.
The following statement has been sent to
the New York World by Gen. Gomez:
my purpose in entering the three west
| ern provinces was to place them in active
rebellion against the Spanish authority and
| to prevent the making Of sugar during the
present year. In both objects I have been
successful. I moved my army from Cam
aguey with the assistance of my able lieu
tel ants, and my progress to Pinar del Rio
has virtually been uninterrupted. 1 moved
over to Matanzas. and when the greater
| portion of the cane was destroyed / carried
on the same work in portions of Havana.
| The destruction of cane in Pinar del Rio
| ended the principal object of my prear-
! ranged plans Everywhere the people have
welcomed our army. l could arm as many
| men as had arms for. A large number of
| men have followed my column, several
| thousand at one time, who would have
| gladly carried rifles could 1 have provided
them. 1t is not my policy to have gen.
| eral engagement with the Spanish troops.
4 l cannot afford to risk the loss of arms
| and ammunition that a battle might cause.
| Neither Will l attempt to occupy and hold
| town. In that case the Spaniards would
| environ 1t with a superior force. l avoid
| towns, generally, on my marches. The de-
| struction of Gabriel and Guira were warn
| ings to all communities not to resist my
| progress. My people were fired on at both
places. and they retaliated by confiagration.
| l destroyed portions of the Western Rail-
| way Company to prevent the Spaniards
| from transporting troops.
Il cannot reveal my further plans, but
| will state tat all my movements are pre-
| arranged, with some few exceptions and
| expect to carry them out successfully The
| war Is being conducted on a much broader
| scale than the ten years revolution
Denied by the Spanish Minister.
I The Spanish minister emphatically de.
| clares that the kilograms relating to the
capture of San Cristobal, Bahia Honda and
| other towns, and to the landing of Calixto
| Garcia are false.