The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-01-30
SICK AND HOTLY PURSUED.
GOMEZ CONDITION SERIOUS.
REPORTED THAT HE WILL
NOT SURVIVE TWO MONTHS.
CONSUMPTION and FEVER COMBINED
Spanish Troops Hot After the Sick Sol
dier-Scarcity of Provisions in Ha-
vana-Penniless People Flocking
Thther Business Dull

Havana, Jan. 24.-(Copyrighted, 1895,
by the Associated Press For some time
concerning the physical condition of Gen
eral Maxine Gomez commander in chief
of the insurgent forces. One story has
asserted that he was suffering from
wounds, and another that he was serious
ly i'll with fever. 1t appears from in
formation derived from trustworthy
sources that neither of these reports is
correct, but it is positively asserted that
the insurgent chief is very sick man.
1t is stated upon the authority cited that
the doctors attending Gomez held con-
sultation and diagnosed the case as being
an advanced stage of consumption COM
plicated with fever. 1t is further stated
that the physicians have come to the con-
cinsion that Gomez can only live about
two months longer. Their statements
have caused considerable alarm among
the insurgents and their friends. Even
though his condition may be exaggerated
facts are correctly stated.
Besides, according to the report from
the front, he is being sharply pushed by
the Spanish troops and is getting little
or no rest, day or night. The effect is
that his movements can now be marked
by trail of tired out and lame horses,
which the insurgents leave behind them.
The opinion is expressed here that the
insurgents are in desperate straits, and
that for Gomez everything now depends
upon the safe arrival in the province of
Havana of the eastern or second army
of insurgents under General Maceo and
General Rab.
Gomez yesterday for n time appeared
half inclined to risk a decisive engage
ment with the Spanish troops. He was
bivouaced at the village Placolle. not
far from Quivican, not far from this city.
General Galvez, in command of the
Spanish troops at Quivican, gathered to-
gether all the government troops availa-
BILE and moved with a strong column upon
the enemy. The latter, contrary to GUS
iards, but after half an hours firing, dur
ing which number were killed and
wounded on both sides, Gomez suddenly
divided his forces into two columns and
commenced to retreat. One of the in
surgent columns retreated southwark to
the Lagia district and the other towards
Batabano.
Colonel Linares pushed on General Co
mez' forces and had skirmish with the
enemy's rear guard.
When last heard from Linares' column
was closely pressing after the enemy and
Colonel Galvez, having been reinforced
by troops under Colonel Aldeceoa, three
columns were started in pursuit of Co
mez' forces.
News received from the front at an
early hour this morning showed that
Gomez apparently reunited his forces last
night, but broke camp this morning when
informed of the approach of the Spanish
troops. The forced night march, how
ever, had told terribly on the Spanish in
fantry and the mounted insurgents of
Gomez had no difficulty in getting away.
The Spaniards had also effected juno
ton, Colonel Linares and AldecOa hav-
ing united their forces so soon as the
scouts brought word that the two insur-
gent columns had wheeled in towards
each other.
Later the third Spanish column under
Colonel Galvis reinforced the column
under Colonel Linares and Aldecoa, and
this strong force started in pursuit of the
insurgents, moving in a southerly direc-
ton, soon after breakfast this morning.
prisoner severely wounded, who was
captured by the troops, reported that the
horses and men of the insurgents are be-
coming exhausted from long marching
and are also short Of ammunition and
provisions.
A dispatch received from Cienfuegos
says that Major Alonzo, with 80 of the
Alva battalion, has been engaged for
three hours at Lajas, in the CienfuegOs
district, with strong force of insurgents,
and that the insurgents left IL killed and
10 wounded on the field and retired, TAX
ing with them many of their wounded
men. Only a few Spanish soldiers were
wounded.
The authorities have now to face a
problem here. The prices of all kinds of
provisions are going up rapidly every day.
In spite of this people are fiocking into
Havana from the country districts, many
of them dependent upon charity. The
increase of crime in all of the provinces
is said to be enormous. Business is al
most at standstill and commerce is
practically thing of the past. The
work of strengthening and increasing the
defense of Havana continues.
The insurgent leader Miranda is re-
ported to have been killed at Consoias
in MatanZas.
The important town of Sabanillo, on
the railroad south of Matanzas, has been
attacked by insurgents and three volun-
teers We're killed. The Insurgents are
said to have lost II killed The official
report of an encounter had by General
Pratt with the bands of Nunez yesterday
says that the insurgents were dispersed
after having killed four of the troops
and wounding seven.
The insurgents, on the other hand left
three dead and carried away the rest.
Colonel Aldecoa had an engagement
today with the band of Cardenas, who re-
treated, leaving four dead and three
wounded
The insurgents have plundered the
stores in the village of Baja, Pinar del
Rio. The greatest activity of the insur-
gents seems to be centered in the prov
ince of Matanzas. A good deal of dam
age is being done and it is probable also
that the movement has a strategic pur-
pose to prevent the Spanish forces from
capturing Gomez's forces near Havana.
The houses of the plantation of Pinon,
in Matanzas, have been burned.
The bands of Garcia. Regio and Alton
so are reported to be moving in the
of Guira, Maricajes.
There is report that they have been
repealed with some loss by the garrison
of Fort Flora.
The mayor of the town of San Nicolas
is to be courtmartialed for having adj
vised the garrison of the town, consisting
of 80 volunteers, to surrender to Gomez