The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-02-19
In Habana Province.
Both Gomez aud Maceo
Operating There.

of rumors. One is that "a political
prisoners in the Cabanas were shot
Wednesday night. Wey!er says he
knows nothing of it. 1t is also said
Gomez has notified Weyler that If
Cubans in the cities are shot, he will
retaliate by shooting Spaniards in the
interior of the island.
Gomez and Maceo are both in
Habana province. The latter moved
east after the Candeiaria and San
Cristobal engagements. crossed the
military line south of Guanajay. pass
ed around Guira de Melena and is
near San Felipe Gomez has been a
few miles east of San Felipe for sew
eral days. A detached column of
rebels moved north and entered Ian
aqua, Is miles from Habaua, where
the volunteers surrendred, joining the
invaders with arms and ammunition.
Other parties came even to the out
skirts Of Habaua, taking the horses of
milkmeH in the suburban town of
Guanabacoa. and exchanging shots
with the garrison in the bIockhouse
at Jesus del Monte
With Castilo's party of 1900 from
the east and Maceo's force from the
west, Gomez probably has 16. 600 men
under arms operating in Habana prov
ince Skirmishes between the out
posts are Of daily occurrence. The
Spanish officers of minor grades gen.
orally magnify these into battles, but
since the arrival of Weyler the off,
cial reports are much nearer the truth
than formerly.
Volunteers are being sent from
Habana to the field !; the recruiting of
others to take their place is rapidly
pushed Cubans in the city are
alarmed over the rumor that Weyler
Intends to order them tc enlist in the
army to show their loyalty.
The order forbidding correspond.
ents to accompany the column of
troops is enforced strictly, making it
difficult to obtain reliable news.
Very little is given out officially.
The American correspondent, Mannix
ordered to leave, owing to having
publishing obnoxious news, sailed
on the Olivette for the United States
yesterday. Mannix filed formal
protest with the American consul,
Williams. Mannix claims the latter
aided the Spanish government more
than the American citizens. Will
liams endeavored to induce Maunix
to leave voluntarily. Mannix refused
until served with an official order.
Williams then cabled protest to
the Washington state department,
which replied that it saw no cause to
interfere. Mannix shows the follow
ing copy of an official cable. said to
have been sent to the foreign minis
ter at Madrid on Feb. 8:
"Elduayen, Madrid; There is no
American correspondent in jail in
Habana. nor has this government
threatened any such representatives.
There is a party, however, against
whom we have received indications
that his presence here is prejudical,
he having, it is claimed, written OBJ
noxious news. The matter being
laid before the American consul, he
suggested and undertook to inform
the party that his departure from the
island was advisable. No threats
were made The government has
acted in full accord with Mr.. viii.
liams, and as result the obnoxious
party will embark tomorrow volun-
9arily and without compulsion on the
part of this government, direct or
indirect.
'By His Excellency
''El Secundo Cabo,
Suarez Valdez"