The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-03

Cuba's Capital May Soon Be Invaded
by insurgents.
uAsrERLY TACTICS OF GOMEZ
Beyond Comprehension of the
Spanish Troops.

HABAyA, Jan. 3-There Is now no doubt
that the insurgents are in large force in the
province Of Habana and are spread over a
wido space, their rear guard still stretching
back into Matanzas province while their
vanguard Is at Aguacatc, a town Of some
Importance on the railroad line between
Matanzas and Habana, and only little
over 30 miles from Habana
Apparently tho full force of the insur-
gents are engaged in this renewed incur
don toward Habana. But they maintain
the same scattered formation, divided into
columns, which proved effective in carry
yng them into the immediate neighbor-
hood Of Matanzas. the different columns
apparently retaining the intultiye faculty
Of knowing the whereabouts and needs OF
zach other. and thus being able 10 cooper
ate with one another and avail themselves
so the full extent OF the feints and diver
~ions which the different columns carry
out for the assistance of the others.
The Spanish commanders are appar-
emily utterly unable to COPE with this
Sind Of warfare, or 90 check the advance
Of the insurgents which is now once more
directed straight upon Habana. Early
yesterday the authorities apparently had
hopes of preventing the entrance of the in
surgents into Habana province. When 1t
Secame known that they were gathering
sn force on the borders, two battalions OF
troops were stationed at Las Palos TO op-
pose their advance into tho rich valley OF
tho Guines, which Is studded over with the
most valuable canefelds on the island.
The Spanish troops seem To have failed
art 10.
passing them and reaching Aguacate,
which is, however, well To the northward
of the Guines district.
IL Is learned that Gomez now intends TO
extend his incursion into the western PROV
snce OF Pinar del Rio, and the situation il
considered exceedingly grave in view Of
che great activity that has been manifested
by local bands OF insurgents in Pinar del
Rio ever since Gomez's advance into Ma
tanzis. lt Is known that Gomez has
directed these movements, Dotwithstand-
Sng the designation Of their leaders as
mere bandits IL is feared that his adj
vance will Dc accompanied by a general
uprising In the province, co-operated in 10y
the local leaders who are already very
well equipped for doing damage
An advance into Pinar del Rio would
have the effect Of practically surrounding
this city with the insurgents sympa-
shizers. The authorities, however, stoutly
maintain all their previously expressed
confidence that the insurgents will not
dare to attack Habana, and that the new
movement is merely raid intended TO
destroy property, as was the last.
An Escaped Prisoners Story.
Honore Lainc, who was prisoner In
Gomez's hands for five days, has effected
his escape and has returned To Habana
Hc gives an interesting account of his ex-
pcrences in the insurgent camp. and cx-
plains some OF the mysteries of the insur
gent movements, which have proved so
successful for their purposes and so baf-
ding TO The Spanish authorities
He describes the so-called retreat OF the
main force of the insurgents from about
Matanzas through Navajas, Torricnte,
Crimes, Murga and Aguada, when it WAS
supposed they were hurrying 60 Santa
Clara province for refuge, or were max
1ng demonstration upon Cienfucgos, and
their subsequent countermarch by more
northerly course by Calimete, Manquito.
Baro and Coral Falso In the direction of
Alfonso XII
Laine declares that Gomez and Maceo
ere at the head Of force of 5000 cavalry
and infantry the cavalry being oxccllently
equipped, and that they have a well-organ-
tied force Of 800 men 10 carry stretchcrs.
The infantry force, Lainc describes as
being armed with niauser rifles, while tho
rest OF the force are armed with different
kinds of weapons. When the column is
ON the snarch, he says. IL spseads out over
elk miles, tho flanks being carefully
guarded by scouting parties under com
mand OF the brothers Nuncz
The engagement with General Navarro.
Laine says, was "a surprise TO the insur-
gents, and they sustained IA numerous
'oss. During this engagement she'll
fell within a short distance Of General
Gomez. He reports that most Of the dam
age donc'to the country is done by the In
eurgcnt infantry. He asserts. also, that
General 6omez intends to make the ad.
vance into PinRr del Rio with his cavalry.
Reports are received that tho caneflelds
Of the central estate OF Carmen, in the dis
trict OF Union dc Reyes, have been burned,
rs well N those or the CoDchita planta-
tion in the district Of Alfonso XII. and the
fields at Nalicnto. on the border of the
province OF Matan1as.
Their Second Matrimonial yart,,r.