The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-12
burning Towns, Plantations and Rail-
way Trains, Soaking stores and
Houses and Robbine the Rich.
SAN CRISTOBAL CAPTURED
GUIRA ALSO TAKEN AND MANY SPAN
IARDs SLAUGHTERED.
Mules Required to Curry the Money
Seized by the Raiders-CampOS
Anxious to Secure Horses.

HAVANA. Jan. n.-There is still consid-
cradle mystery connected with the move
ments of insurgeEt forces around Havana.
They have caused much destruction in the
province OF Pinar del Rio, burning number
OF quite important towns. piundering trains,
stores ana houses and generally doing all
the damage possible. Frequent collisions be-
tween the troops and the insurgents have
taken place. and the latter are reported TO
have had the worst OF IL on nearly every
occasion. but the fact remains that they
are still in strong force around Havana and
that there does not seem TO be any imme-
date probability CT driving them away. The
announcements that they have been hug
ging the northern coast probably gave rise
10 the report that they were expecting the
landing OF an expedition, probably from the
United States. with arms. ammunition and
supplies. IL this is correct their expecta-
ton may have been realized. for it is ru-
mored to-day that an important expedition
under General Calixto Garcia, the veteran
Cuban leader. who recently escaped from
prison in Madrid, and who was in New
York in November last, landed somewhere
on the north coast. probably in the province
OF Pinar del Rio. on Wednesday last. This,
lieved. mas not yet been officially confirmed.
Ii General Garcia had with him the sup
plies of ammunition. etc. awaited by the
insurgents the Spanish commanders here
claim that further and more important ag-
gressive action on the part of the enemy
may be expected in the near future, al
though they 60 not expect an immediate at
tack upon Havana.
Referring to the apparently inexplicable
movement Of the insurgents since they al
most completely surrounded Havana, Gu
ban, who is generally well informed re-
garding the doings Of the insurgent lead
ers. intimated this evening that it was just
possible that the insurgents had passed into
Pinar del RIO in force with the view of
drawing all the troops possible after them
and that, when the proper moment arrives,
the insurgents would simultaneously coun-
termarch and move swiftly Havana
from number OF different directions In
this city, he added, the friends of the in
surgents would by that time have completed
arrangements TO make demonstration in
their favor. Bombs would be exploded and
fires lighted at given signal in many diff
Ierent portions or this city and vicinity, and
In the confusion which was certain to follow
the insurgents would, according to the pro-
gramme, be able 10 enter Havana. AS TO
Moro castle and Its guns, said the Cuban.
that fortress would be taken of and
thee was little or nothing to be apprehend-
ed from the Spanish fleet as, IL ii opened
nre on Havana. 1t would do more damage
10 the government cause than IL could do
the insurgents and the cause of Cuba.
MERELY SPANISH STORIES.
The most startling stories are circulated
here by the friends or agents OF the Span
ISL government regarding the atrocities said
10 have been committed by the Cubans
during their march from Santiago de Cuba
TO Pinar del Rio IL is claimed that they
have robbed the poor and rich alike, mai
treated the old and young of both sexes
and that nothing has been sacred to them.
The Cubans. however. fatty deny these
reports and say that they have acted as
closely and strictly within the rules of
warfare as their guerrilla tactics permitted.
They admit using dynamite to blow up
railroad bridges and trains conveying
troops or supplies for the Spanish forces
and they do not deny having burned all
the plantations of the friends of the gov
eminent which il possible for them
to apply the torch TO. but they stoutly hold
that the poor and the weak, the extremely
old and the very young. and especially all
women have been respected, and that II
any acts of violence have been committed
they have been the work OF the agents of
the Spanish government in desire 10
throw discredit on the insurgent cause.
The news reached here this afternoon
that the advance guard of the insurgents,
under the elder Nunez, had arrived at San
Cristcbgl the second town in Importance in
the province of Psnar del Rio. and n little
over half way between this city and Pinar
del Rio capital Of the province of that
name. Nunez. IL appears. entered San Girls
tObal on Jan. &, and met with no resistance,
although IL was understood here that the
city was defended by a large force OF Span
ish troops. Therefore, il is presumed that
the Spanish forces were moved away from
San Cristobal in order 10 take part in the
tobal is the first large town captured by the
insurgents. and il is quite victory for
them. as il is on the railroad line between
Pinar del Rio and Havana.
After capturing San Cristobal the insur-
gents burned a railroad train which was
upon the point OF leaving for Havana with
carrying their most valuable possessions
were DESTROYS OF seeking a refuge In Ha-
vaEa. AS these people were nearly all known
20 be supporters OF the government, the
insurgents relieved them OF their valuables
cnd made very rich haul in so doing. They
also captured quite quantity of ammuni-
tiOn. supplies and provisions at san CriStO-
bal. and when last heard from were making
merry in that city, celebrating their victory
with all kinds of patriotic manifestations,
feasting and fireworks. Also, II is added,
they plundered al the stores in San Girls
tobal, and thereby secured much more
ANOTHER TOWN CAPTURED.
The insurgent leaders. Delgado and Socar-
ras. are also reported to have captured
Bahia Honda. another important town in
the province of Pinar del Rio and practical
" a seaport town. for It adjoins a very
fine bay. in which filibusters can now find
a safe refuge, unless a Spanish war ship is
promptly sent there. which is not unlikely
TO be the case.
Guirade Melina. south OF Havana. and
not far from Artemisa. ii was announced
this afternoon, had received another visi-
tation from the insurgents. who did much
more damage and secured much more
booty In addition, at Benayides, the insur-
gents have burned thirteen railroad wagons
and have looted the place.
The steamship Nillaverde arrived here to-
day from Santiago de Cuba having on
board Brig. Gen. Litares and a detachment
Of troops to reinforce the garrison here.
II was reported this evening that the tele-
graph line between Havana and Batabano
had again been cut by the insurgents, thus
putting end TO communication with all
points south OF Havana, although the gov
eminent officials claim they will be able TO
send trains through twice day as usual.
Reports received here are TO the effect
that General Gomez personally only went
to Las Mangas and then countermarched
with 5000 insurgents south to Alquizar and
Guira de Meena toward Quivican. The rest
OF the force continued 10 advance westward
by San Christobal and Candelaria. General
MaceO passed by Cabanas TO Bahia Honda
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