Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-01

today by report from Placeitas to the ef-
feet that an entire battalion of Spanish In
fantry had deserted and gone over TO Inc
rebels, taking their arms and accouter-
ments with them. The government denies
the report
Wednesday the insurgents attacked and
carried Spanish fort at MayaJigua, secur-
ing quantity Of munitions and provisions.
The rebels then gave themselves up to all
sorts of excuses and fired the town. After
their departure Spanish troops arrived and
quenched the flames.
Gen. Pando's Operations.
Gen. Pando is personally directing opera
tons against Jose Maoeo in Guantanamo,
but a large part of his force is engaged
guarding plantations. Gen. Pando some
time ago secured from the queen regent an
order exempting for a period of twenty
years the properties Of the American min
ng companies. Recently he obtained an
other order permitting the importation into
Cuba of American bridge and railway ma
terial free of duty. conference OF the d.
rectors of the Guantanamo railway. an
American property, was held this week,
and it was decided to push the construction
Of the road to San Luis. Thus far the in
surgents have not molested the company
property.
A Cattle Train Captured.
A train going to Navajas, loaded with
cattle for the government troops at that
place, was captured by the insurgents. The
latter have in many instances been COM
PEELED to kill their horses for food.
Another train at Perico was derailed and
burned ard Engineer Walker, an American,
was pressed into Maceo's service. The rebel
leader said that perhaps he would have use
for good engineer in the near future"
Men repairing the railroad beyond Matan-
zas were stripped of their clothing by the In
surgents and sent back into the city, and
toll hot hau returned their GrQ1nS
would be minus upon their next trip Into the
city.
The brigade of Gen. Oliver. who was re-
ported killed at Colon. and about whom gov
eminent reports say nothing, arrived at
Cienfuegos yesterday after a march of four
days across the red, sandy plains. Many OF
the soldiers were without shoes, and on the
way the horses Of the officers were killed and
eaten.
Rebels Attack Puerto Principe.
Dispatches from Puerto Principe today tell
of an attack on that city on the 24th. The
rebels came from the south and attempted
to enter the town via great stone bridge.
Here they were met by government troops
and put to flight but they carried thirty
Spanish soldiers away with them. Twenty
seven rebels were killed on the bridge.
Carrier Pigeon Service.
The rebel government headquarters were
this week established at Kelo, i'll the district
of Cienfuegos. Gen. Roloff. minister of war
and one of the best fighters in the insurgent
army, is in command of the 2, 400 men pro-
tecting the executive officers Of the revo-
lutionary government. Roloff has almost
entirely recovered from the several wounds
he received in fight two weeks ago. Wit
Messing the success of the carrier-pigeon
system of correspondence adopted by
representatives Of the Madrid papers, Presi-
dent Cisneros-Betancourt some time ago
adopted the plan, and is now in constant
communication with all the leaders in the
field.
When Gomez entered ROGUE during his
march on MatanZaS from Colon, he placed
the Cuban flag over the city hall. and then
sought the alcalde (mayor) with whom he
afterward dined. From the balcony of the
mayors residence Gomez spoke to the peo-
pie telling them that they or their properties
would not be interfered with. He liberat-
ed all the political prisoners from the jail
and shot two inmates confined for criminal
assault.
The priests did not welcome Gomez or his
army but he made his headquarters in the
plaza in front of the church and compelled
the fathers to celebrate mass for the sue
cess of the Cuban cause.
Love and War.
A curious case of love, war and law has
come to light with the arrival here from
Spain Of Senorita Louise de Cabon, who. on
December 9, in Barcelona was married by
proxy to Maj. Alexander del Gras of the
Spanish army in Cuba. She desired to join
the young officer here, but according to
Spanish customs could not with propriety
leave Spain to marry him. The wedding
in Barcelona was grand affair, and the
husband was cabled, but no reply came. The
following day the young woman sailed for
Cuba, but upon arriving here found that
Maj. Alexander had died of yellow fever,
his death occurring several days previous to
the proxy marriage celebrated at Barcelona.
The young woman claims the right to the
soldiers pension, and has appealed to the
superior court at Madrid to ascertain
whether she is single, married or a widow.