New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-01
TO DRIVE THE SPANISH OUT.
CUBAN GENERALS SAID TO HAVE DE-
TERMINED ON AN AGGRESSIVE
CAMPAIGN.
THEY WILL BEGIN THE MARCH ABOUT sEPTEM-
Der l. AND EXPEcT TO HAVE FROM
l2.oco TO 10000 MEN IN LINE.

Der l. AND EXPECT TO HAVE FROM
1900 TO 10000 MEN IN LINE.
Recent advices from Cuba. according to a state
mont made last night to a Tribune reporter by
Fide G. Plerre. Of No. 1ss ST. Johns Place this
city. chairman OF the Cuban Delegation Press
Committee In New-York. indicate that most I'M
portant movement is about be undertaken against
the Spaniards In the western part OF the isand ny
Generals Gomez and Garcia. The plan is In brief
TO start about September with an army Of 1890
men and march as directly possible into the
provinces Of Havana Matanzas and Santa Clara.
and drive out the detached bodies Of Spaniards
wherever they may he found. Mr. Pierra said that
the rainy season is going on. there had been
little fighting. the from Cuba has shown.
During this time the insurgent leaders have been
maturing their plans from their mountain strong
holds, and without waiting for the rainy season TO
close, which will not be until early in November.
have determined upon aggressive movement
that will keep the Spanish Army busy enough in
acting on the defensive. The insurgents have al
ready driven the Spaniards from the nelghborhood
OF Holgun, in the province Of Santiago, and the
surrounding country is not only free from troops.
but absolutely bare of cattle and all other sup
plies.
When the army starts" said Mr.. Pierra, the
fighting force a. have said will amount 10 about
twelve thousand men. They will be excellently
armed. expeditions have been much more
successful than the world is aware Of On their
march through the provinces they will gather up
the flying columns. that there will be for often
sive operations a magnificent army of determined
men OF not less than 2O0oc Garcia and Gomez will
be in Havana in September About half OF the
force will consist of cavalry. We will also have a
good array of artillery. consisting of twelve and
six FOUNDER rapid-fre guns. The rest Of the force
will be infantry The Spanards will be laborins
under the difficulty which they have experienced all
along Cooped up In the towns and garrisons the
health OF the soldiers has suffered severely that
in open battle. for man. they will be no match
for the hardy Cubans. | think the movement VIII
be successful.
Mr. Pierra. in speaking OF the recent news from
France. showing change Of sentiment on the part
Of that nation said that the Cuban party was max
the masses Of the French people He declared that
eli along the sentiment has been largely in favor
of cuba. but France was made 10 appear either
hostile or Indifferent 20 the Cuban cause through
OF which were directly Interested in Cuban bonds
purchased In Madrid II was. he said. because OF
fear on the part Of the owners of those papers
that their bonds would be deprecated that the
tone assumed against the United States when war
seemed probable was so bitter
But now" said Mr.. Pierra. II think I can
say with authority that even the French Govern
ment has sympathy with Spain. while the peo-
pie largely for the cause Of liberty. as we can
show by their generosity in contributing TO the
II go further. We can show that no
country in Europe to-day sympathizes With Spain
Italy and the Low Countries. for instance. II left
themselves. will never forget the sights put
upon them years and years back. To refer again
to France the differences which arose at the time
healed. so far the heart of the French people
Is concerned.