The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-15
TROOPS TAKE THE FIELD.
The Additional spanish Forces are
Ready for the Rebels.

HAVANA, March 18th, Via TAMPA
FLA. March 13.-All OF the seventeen
thousand additional troops sent from
Spain since the middle Of February have
arrived and been equipped ior service.
Nest OF them are now In the field Some
six thousand are being held in Havana
and its outskirts as a precaution against
disturbances In that city.
There are sufficient volunteers here TO
repel any attack the Insurgents can
make with their lack OF cannon ana
scarcity OF ammunition. The new troops
were better than the average from Spain
and should give a good account OF them
selves In the field. A portion OF them
was sent 10 General Pando. In Santa
Clara. and a large force has been started
for Pinar Del Rio, where the rebels nave
had things almost all their own way
for a month. Nine important towns have
been laid in ruins, tobacco houses nave
been burned, and a large portion Of the
great tobacco district is n waste. The
concentration of government troops IN
Havana province. in the expectation %
dealing an effective blow TO Gomez and
Maceo, left other provinces without SUI
ficient protection.
THE Willy REBELS.
Tho two rebel chieftains managed 70
avoid a pitched battle. although the most
elaborate preparations were made 10
force them TO fight or surrender. Gomez
has been I'm Matanzas province about two
weeks, and Maceo has also been there
during the mast week With their two
columns, aggregating some l2'oV" men,
and the columns OF Lacret and others
sugar estates from obeying the order OF
General Weyler TO begin grinding. Cane
has been burned from one end OF the
province to the other, but buildings anc
machinery have not been harmed so iaI
as can be learned. The outlook for any
mora grinding In Matanzas and Havana
provinces Is not bright. In addition e
burning cane, many railroad culverts ane
bridges have been totally destroyed, dy'
Mantle being used in some cases.
Half a dozen columns OF troops are nav
ing daily sk!rnishes with the rear guards
or outpos;s OF Gomez and Maceo.
nv the time a sufficient force or gov
eminent troops is brought up TO make
an effective attack. The insurgents
being Ali mounted. have moved on. They
annarentIy have sufficient ammunition fol
these sk,rmshes, but have not enough
10 make a decided stand. learn from
credible sources that the insurgents ire
ouently go into light with from SIX u
eight rounds per man.
After a few volleys they are oolge'
m retreat unless the Spaniards waVer
as they generally do unless In force. a
anv sipr, OF weakness the Cuhans rid
down on them like so many demons, yell
ing al Machete. AL Machete.'
TELL TALE REPORTS.
When the Spanish say In their o1icia
reports that they received the nrst chars
of me enemy with the troops In the Torn
OF squares and the second charge In cir
cuIar groups, It IS pretty plain what hap
pened.
The insurgents are gaining new recruit
daily. but only at slow rate, owing I
| the difficulty In obtaining arms. Ther
IS no question that II rifles and ammunl
| ton are landed In any quantity there wi
be many moro men In the field and no
fights will follow almost immediately.
CLARK.