The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-02
BURNING THE FIELDS.
Gomez Brave Troopers Leave
Ruin i'm Their Trail
OFF ON A NEW RAID NOW.
They Have Forbidden q Sugar Crop,
and Are Enforcing Their Order
by Destroying the Cane.

Havana, Jan. 1.-The news received from
the front tends 10 confirm previous deduc-
tons made regarding the movements OF tina
insurgents. IL is admitted only that the
Cubans are again marching westward,
and with the intention, apparently, OF push
ing for Los Paleu. a small town on the rail-
road leading 70 Guines and westward OF
Matznzas The Spanish officials explain
this movement to the westward by saying
that the insurgents intend 10 return east
ward toward the province OF Santa Clara
through the northern portion OF Sagua dis
trict But as this would be their most
roundabout way OF proceeding eastward,
the friends Of the insurgents ridicule the
idea
Matanza., Jan. lon Monday a series
OF sharp skirnishes took placs between
Gomez and Maceods troops and the Span
iards under Valdez and NavarBes number
ing $50 men all told. who came up with
the insurgents on the Cfodinez sugar estate,
NEAR Calumet This village is on the rail-
way between Colon and Yaguaramas, in
the southeastern corner of the province Of
Matanzas, six miles from the border or
Santa Clara. The insurgents were posted
within an Enclosure Of plantation buildings.
The colonel commanding the Navarro bat
talon threw his men against the position
of the insurgents, which they defended for
Navarro, hearing the firing as he was ap-
preaching, moved quickly forward and
soon came in sight OF the rebel position.
Gomez then withdrew dividing his force
into two positions. which were pursued by
Navarro and afterward by Suarez Valdez.
The Navarro battalion, though composed
OF green troops, assailed a stone wall be-
hind which the insurgents were posted.
Their killed numbered seventeen and their
rfad 81 TT gK~nr .
sent by train 10 Colon. arriving there at
p. m. The insurgents had long train
OF carts and Filters when passing subse-
quently through another point IN the dirsc-
ton of Palmilas. Col. Molona came up
with them after the affair OF CalImet, and
used artillery against them. SuareZ Val
dez had reached Mansuita when the insur-
gents were Withdrawing from the field of
action near Cabinet His troops left the
train on which they had arrived, and fol-
lowed Gomez. At the Caney sugar plan
tatiou they struck the rear guard Of the
insurgents. which maintained a fusilade
for one hour and left eight dead on tho
field when retiring. Valdez Is in pursuit
Of them today. Navarro came In contact
with Gomez men again at the Madria cat
tie estate. and nine Of his soldiers were
wounded.
The Spanish columns are being rushed
from place TO place numerically, the COM
manders being upon their mettle.
The condition of affairs in Matanzas is
terrible. Gomez and Maceo have been out
side the region OF the sugar estates while
on the border of the swamps, but Quintin
Bandera who Is detached from them, has
Joined La Crete. the regular insurgent
leader in the province. as also has Rooert
BermudeZ, from Santa Clara, and is de-
stroying property jn the central portion Of
the province. lie Crete was at the railway
yesterday, az a point near LAmonar. lie
was also reported 10 be IN the vicinity Of
La Guinallas and Rareo. Bandera's, Ber-
mudez', Baccallos', Robans and AlberdPs
bands are engaged in ravaging the country
at various points on the Cardenas & Jul
coro railway.
Pitiful stories OF the sufferings OF the
people continue 10 come in. 4 planter. a
foreigner. whose estate is near Colon, says
that tho insurgents swooped over his prop
erty. burning everything and ransacking
the house and carrying OF clothing and
valuahles.
Havana, Jan. 1.-The war has evidently
settled down 10 conditions such as existed
before the big raid. except that the scene
has been transferred from the eastern
provinces to Matanzas and Santa Clara.
There is but little likelihood Of a big bat
tie IN the near future, although the two
Big armies are on the march in a COM
raratVCly small area MOI n DAY passes
hut reports come I'm OF brushes between the
insurgent cavalry and the Spanish infant
~. Usually as the cavalry retres IL
leaves burned sugar plantations in its
track. \ bird's-eye view OF the once Ink
uriously productive province OF Matanzns
now would show a sorry sight Black, bar
rem fields and charred remnants OF plan
tatiou buildings are everywhere. The
threat that II any OF the planters attempt
70 grind the cane their places viii be de-
stroyed by the rebels torch IS we'll IN
ierstood IN this province, and few care TO
act dehantly. The owners are powerless.
Reports have come in 10 the effect that
the insurgents are gathering around Car
denas Precautions against an attack have
been taken by Gen. Campos. IL IS impos-
sible. from the present movements OF the
insurgent army. TO determine what II the
future plan of Gomez. He orders a rest
OF one day. march 70 tho south or east
or west or north on other days In any d.
rect!on where the troops are scarce, CT
where sugar cane needs burning.