Evening journal., 1896-02-04
MARIN CHASING GOMEzq
Plans to Capture the Insu-gert
Leader Futile.
THEsPAE1sH GENERAL oUTwITTED

AIaceo's Movements Unchecked In Pinar
del Rio Llkcly to Form Union with
Gomez's Torces-sone Slight sIsirmish-
ing Cheering Words Tor Patriots.
HAVANA, Feb. 4.-Gencral Marin has
had an engagement with body Of insur-
gents which he reports 60 be the main
force under Gomez and which was put TO
flight with "a loss of 20 killed The entire
absence of any details as 90 the number
of insurgents IN the body attacked leaves
some ground for doubt as to whether It
was I'm truth, Gomoz's immediate follow
ing. Pretty much the whole Of the com
hinod columns under General Marin, IN
cluding 200 cavalry, seems TO have been
engaged. This force was equipped with q
special view TO running down and corner
ing the insurgents when once it should
come face to face with them, and great ox-
pectations were founded on It's supposed
ability to do this. But the report Of the
engagement, although 10 indicates that the
Spanish attack was made with great dash
and vigor, seems TO indicate that the in
surgents were as successful in evading the
Spanish forces as they have been at any
time heretofore.
General Marin had information that
Gomez had encampcd nc the plantation of
Luz and prepared for a combined attack
by all the columns under his immediate
command. Two columns were ordered to
tako the advance, together with seven
squadrons under Colonel Ruiz. Upon COM
ing up with tho insurgents vanguard tho
Spanish cavalry made an impetuous
charge passing over the onemy's second
limo and falling upon tho main force,
which was stationed near the plantation
Of Luz. The Insurgents were put TO inn
mediate flight, leaving behind 90 killed,
4 with machotos in their hands. There
was apparently no successful pursuit Of
the insurgents, as they succeeded in carry
ing Off their wounded, the number Of
which Is stated to be unknown. Several
prisoners were taken, and the loss Of the
troops is reported to be Insignificant
corneiIs Futile Pursuit of Maceo.
It is also reported that the columns un-
der command of General Cornell, operating
In combination with those under Generals
Iinaros and Aldccoa, are in pursuit Of a
numerous band of insurgents near Arte-
misa, which is supposed 10 bo Maceo's
main force. This band is said to be striv-
ing to effect a junction with Gomez, and
IL seems in fair way TO do so, as there is
no apparent check in its advance along the
southern coast Of Pinar del Rio. The re-
ported disposition of the troops was such
as to prevent the advance of Maoeo and
was not such as TO make any pursuit Of
him necessary, the plan being to await his
coming. II Is also reported that the troops
have killed q ferocious mulatto, who has
led a band of assassins and women viola
tors, TO the terror Of a whole district
Among other rumors which como from
pinar del Rio is ono that the well known
leader Zayas has been killed. The rumor
Is founded on a report that the insurgents
sent into the village Of Alquizar to procure
a coffin. A rumor Of Gomez's death sew
ornl days ago was found to have no better
foundation.
Refugees arriving from Plnar del Rio
province report that fhe insurgents have
burned Paso Real and Palacios, which were
along the limo of Maceos march from the
western portion Of Pinar del Rio toward
Havana province line. The insurgent band
led by Pedro piaz numbering 900, Is re-
ported as making active movements about
Guira Molena, Gabriel and Ia Salud
which arc between the Batabano military
limo and Artemisa.
Further news is awaited with lively in
tcrest, as il is believed it will be proved in
very short time whether the efforts of
Maoeo and Gomez to form junction will
prove successful or not.
Tho steamer Titan reports that while
passing along the coast past the town Of
Bahia Honda, in Pnar del Rio they saw
great fire raging I'm the interior This
is supposed TO have been caused by burn
ing canefelds Many refugees have arriv-
cd here from Bahia Honda, bringing tales
Of fear and misery.