The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-01-03
CUBAN INDEPENDENCE.
Captain Walker Says 1t yvin Certaioly BE
Occurred.


Captain Walker Says 1t wnl CertaiuIy BE
Secured.
PHILADELPHIA, Ps, jan. 2,-Fresh
tidtpgs Of the Cuban revolution were
brought hero to-day by Captain Walker
with cargo OF sugar and mail from
thas country.
Affairs on the island, according to
Captaia Walker, are rapidly drawing to
crisis and there is no doubt that Cuba
will gain her independence. The insur.
gents seem to have matters we'll under
cootrol.
The whole island was visible miles
out to sea, by reason Of masses OF flame
which arose from the sugar plantations,
where tho cane had been set on fire BY
the insurgent forces. Tho insurgent
army on Christmas day WAS $4,000
strong. 1t was composed Of men we'll
disciplined and armed to tho teeth, but
almost destitute of clothing.
Spanish Troops Retroating.
HAVANA, Jan. Am engagement
between the Spanish troops and the in
surgents he's taken place o 9 81 Es:ante,
south of Alfonso MI, and not far from
the frontier OF the province of Havana
The official announcement says that
the troops captured the insurgent posi-
tions, bus that the loss of the enemy is
nos known. Il is admitted that two
Spanish officers and four soldiers were
killed and fitty-nine wounded.
The Insurgents. following their usual
tactics, did not accept decisive en-
gagement, but after the skirpish pro-
cecded westward, devastating the
country as they marched onward. The
authorities here, in announcing this
skirmish, added the sign. fcant state
ment that tho troops were moved
closer to the province of Havana"
which would seem to indicate that the
Spanish forces are once more in retreat.
Later in the day 1t was announced
here that further fighting between the
Spaniards and the Cubans is taking
place in the vicinity OF Ell E.tante,
which, with the announced movement
| OF the Spanish troops, "cioser TO the
| frontier OF Havana" leads people here
| to believe that the insurgents have
been in pursuit. Of the Spanish troops
| in that vicinity.
The latter are commanded by Col.
Galvis, who was also in comm and OF the
troops first engaged 10 the vicinity of
| Ell Estsnte, which seems to be con-
| hrmation OF the superstition that the
Spaniards were worsted and that the
| Cubans are making for the frontier of
the province OF Havana in spite Of all
the statements to the contrary.
| The news that the insurgents are still
on the borders of the province OF Ha-
vana has increased the feeling OF ner-
| vousness which has prevailed here from
the time they entered the province OF
! Matanzas and no explanations which
| the authorities can furnish seems able to
dispel the popular i'm pre- ssion that there
| has been no real check OF the insurgeut
advance and that ell the efforts OF the
| Spanish troopS to drive them out of
MataJz,s have psOved mors than fruit
| lesR.
As already cAbled, every man who
| could be spared from the regular and
volunteer forces haa been cen. TO the
! front, but this does not saem 10 kave
changed the situation ana tho military
authorities continue working night Ind
day In their efforts to plt CO Havana In
the best possible position TO resiss {.
seige. But the sen timent OF the popu la
ton here as already noted. Is gradually
undergoing change favorable 10 the
insurgens cause and nobody would be
astonished to find that IL has taken a
more decided form than passive SYM
pathy. The polios are carefully watch
| ing ,he quarters iohabited by people
supposed TO be in sympathy with tho
! numbers of young men from escaping
| from the city and m aking their way TO
the insufgent camps.
In addition 10 the trouble threatened
from the direction OF the province OF
| Matsnzss. 1t is feared that there will be
more trouble from the direction of the
province OF Pinar del Rio. on ,he other
side of Havana Although news on this
subject is carefully guarded. IL is known
that the insurgents in that part Of tho
country arc rapidly increasing In num-
Der and daring, and nobody would be
astonished 30 near tnss an insurgent
force will advance upon Hsvans from
Pinar del Rio as soon as the main body
| OF the insurgents under G,mtz and
Msceo 10 near enough to Havana to
warrant such q movement.
| Statement of Wade's shortage.
MT. VERNON, Ind, Jan. 2-The