The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-30
GOMEZ FORCE KEPT ON THE GO
HE STARTS FOR PINAR DEL RIO TO
JOIN MACEO.

A Marvellous Conquest of the West
ern Province Completed by the
Latter-NeRrIy Every Town in the
Province Now Under the Cuban
FIag-MaceO's Force Jumps From
1000 10 5000 and He is Turning
Men Away for Lack of Arms and
Ammunition.
Havana, Jan. 29.-Gomez has gone to
Pinar del Rio to join Maceo. The latter
has completed a marvellous conquest OF
the western province. Nearly every town
except the capital city and its port, Co
Iona, are occupied. The tOwns-people
welcomed the insurgent army hoisted the
Cuban flag over the town halls, gave
balls, furnished provisions, ammunition,
horses, supplies, etc. Maceo started with
2,OO0 men, but now has over 5000, and Is
turning Others away. Several companies
OF Spanish volunteers have joined Maceo.
The only serious engagements were
those Of IAN. II and Is at Taironar. which
the Spaniards claim as victories, but which
resulted in the capture of 10O.-
90 rations by Maceo. In the fol-
lowing towns Maceo appointed
alceldes and secretaries and formed local
governments: San Cristobal, Placios, Paso
Real, Consolation del Sur, San Juan Mar
tinez, San Luis, Guane Mantua and others
of less Importance
1t is reported that Gen. Luque is NOR
tally wounded, but this the government
denies. Gems. Navarro, Arizon and Luque
are endeavoring to crush Maceo.
Gomez crossed the trocha south Of Ha-
Vana Sunday going west, and apparently
had no difficulty. He burned a train sun
day afternoon this side Of Guanajay. He
had an encounter with the columns Of Lii
mares and Aldecoa on the Santa Lucia
estate, twenty-five miles southwest Of Ha-
yana, Monday. The troops used artillery
The ofiicials admit twelve killed on their
side, but do not give the Cuban loss II
is said TO be small The Insurgents camp-
ed near the scene of the battle Monday
night Tuesday they entered the Pinar
ael tao province and proceeded in the
direction of Cuyajabos. Gomez has about
4,VJO mounted men, well armed, but short
of ammunition. With Gomez army are
four women soldiers, wives of men Each
carries rifle and cartridge belt They are
dressed in mems clothes. Maceo is said
70 nave the largest force now, and also
plenty of ammunition.
The censorship is absolute 1t is imDos-
sible to cable the truth under present ar
rangements. The only matter allowed TO
go IS highly colored accounts OF battles
battles prove to be mere skirmishes the
defeats fail to stop the rebel advance and
atfOclueS are never committed by rebel
forces. The latter preserve strict disci-
pllne and hang camp followers, if the lat
ter commit crime. On the other hand the
withdrawal of Gen. Campos is followed by
reports that the Spanish volunteers have
already begun shooting suspects The
alarmed CuDanS are fleeing from the inte-
riOf towns IN MatanzaS province, where a
reign OF terror is said to have already be-
un. hundreds of Cubans, thrown into
JAN IN Santiago province, remain without
trlal, with only suspicion against them.
Inc Toledo estate is the only one in
the Havana province grinding cane The
insurgents attempted to. burn IL Monday.
but were driven away by heavy guard
of troops. one estate in Santa Clara is
grinding, and two in Santiago are re-
ported TO have begun grinding
Ine railroads operate spasmodically
Armored cars containing troops are at
tached to every train
Ihe Cubans are greatly disappointed
over the disaster to Garcas expedition
The government now has Gomez and
Maceo in the western province and is
increasing the force of men along the
trocha to prevent their return.
Horses are being taken for the pur-
infantry are unable to compel Gomez to
hght a battle. The latter issued a proc
clamauon upon the news of Gen. Wey-
leys appointment He says he will CON
Inue the present methods of tiring
Spain rather than taking the chances
of a decisive battle. Gomez calls atten-
tion to his treatment of prisoners, as
compared with that of the troops He
says the latter shoot prisoners, while
he lberates. He predicts the arrival of
Gen. Weyler will be followed by a large
increase OF the insurgent ranks.