The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-04
Encouraging News from Revo-
lutionary Agents.
THE SPANIARDS DIVIDED
Many Of the Inhabitants Almost
Starving.
INTENSE EXCITEMENT IN HAVANA
But the Official Dispatches from
Spanish Authorities Report the
insurgents as Routed
Everywhere.

NCN ioihs req. Ill he news
brought to this city to-day by the
Havana steamer was cheering for the
friends of Cuban liberty. The letters
Of the secret agents of the reyolution-
airy party in Havana spoke of a split
among the Spanish parties on the
Island, of jealousy among the mill
tary, Of starvation in the city aud Of
a crisis in the commercial situation.
Mr.. +. c. Pierra translated one of the
most important letters. Parts of it
were follows:
''There is a very decided division be-
tween the Conservative and Reformist
parties of the Spaniards and they are
pouring hot shot into eavh others
ranks through the columns of the
press. As a proof of this | send YOU
the papers of the Conservative party.
in which the editorials are written
in a particularly bitter strain against
their former allies The Reformist
party We're in favor of the mild policy
of Campos while the Conservatives be
lieye in fire and bloOdshed. The situa-
tion is a most critical one and no one
recognizes this fact better than the
Spaniards.
''The excitement in Havana is in
creased by the fact that the govern
ment does not allow any news ito be
printed except that given out from
the official bureau. Spaniards as well
as Cubans know that the better part
Of [,a =. f.I 4
The correspondent then goes on to
detail several engagements, in one of
which a whole troop of 300 Spaniards
were annihilated. The news given
out, however, was of a tremendous
Spanish victory.
The prices Of provisions are rising
very rapidly and destitution i'm the
city of Havana is increasing rapidly.
~ great many families are now de
pendent for subsistence on what the
government gives them-a small
amount weekly. There have been times
within the past few days when there
has not been provisions of any kind
TO be bought at the public market
Even those having money to spend
have been forced to 90 hungry. Moth
ing has been received from the sur
rounding country for long time.
Gen. Marin has had an engagement
with a body of insurgnts which nc re-
ports 10 be the main force under Co
mez, and which was put to flight with
a loss of twenty killed. The entire alb
sence as to any details as to the num-
ber of insurgents in the body attacked
leaves some doubt rs to whether it
was, in truth, Gomezs iumeiiate fol-
lowing. Pretty much the wIfoleaof the
combined columns under Gen. Marin,
including ZOO cavalry, seem to have
been engaged. This force was equip
ped with a special view TO running
down and cornering the insurgents
when once it had come face to face
with them, and great expectations
were founded on it's supposed ability
10 do this. But the report of to-day's
engagement, although it indicates that
the Spanish attack was made with
great dash and vigOr, seems to indicate
that the insurgents were as success
ful in eyading the Spanish forces as
they have been at any time heretofore.
Gen. Marin had information that
Gomez had encamped at the planta-
tion OF Luz and prepared for com
bined attaCt by all the columns under
his immediate command The columns
we're ordered to take the advance, to-
gether with seven squadrons under Col.
Ruiz. Upon coming up with the insur
gent vanguard, the Spanish cavalry
made an impetuous charge, passing
over the enemy's second line and fall
ing upon the main force, which was
stationed near the plantation of Luz.
The insurgents were put to immediate
fight, leaving behind them twenty
killed, eleven with machetes in their
hands. There was apparently no sue
cessful pursuit of the insurgents, as
they succeeded in carrying off their
wounded, the number of which is
stated to be unknown. Several prison
ers were taken and the loss Of the
troops is said to be insignificant.
'Thc band led by Pedro Diaz. mum
bering a thousand, is reported as max
ing active movements about Guira
Melena, Gabriel and La Salud, which
are between the BatabanO military line
and Artemisia.'
Further news is awaited with in
terest, as it is believed twill be proved
in very short time whether the efforts
of Maceo and Gomez o form a junction
will prove successful or not