The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-04
MACEO HOLDS THE MOUNTAINS
HIS FORCE CONCENTRATED AND
STRONGLY INTRENCHED.

The Report That He Had Divided His
Army Into Small Bands Declared
Untrue-WeYIcr Marches Around
the Base of the Hills, Looking for
an Opening Through which 10
Hurl His 10000 Men Upon the Pa
triots.
Kew West Fla, Dec. S.-Passengers
who arrived from Havana last night re-
port that Gen. Weylers campaign in Pin
ar del Rio so far, is a complete failure
despite the fact that he has over GO,0OO
men in the province. When Gen. Weyler
left Artemisa. he formed a column of 10
600 infantry, 1900 cavalry and ten pieces
of artillery, and marched, sklrting the base
Of the hills on the southern side, and seek
ing an opening to attack Maceo, who ls
strongly fortified on top of the hills. II
appears that Maceo has gathered all his
forces, and is now entrenched in the hills
waiting Gen. Weyler's attack. There il
no truth in the report that Gen Maceo
has divided his forces into small bands
to elude combats
1t Is known on good authority that Gen
Weyler has no intention of meeting Gen
Maceo. Gen. Weyler will say he found no
rebels and will return to Havana saying
the province Is pacified and that there
only remains small parties of bandits in
the hills and as the local troops are suffi-
Client to disperse these rebel bands, his
presence is unnecessary.
Gen. Gomez with a large force is steady
advancing west, still moving slowly on ac-
count Of the great impediments in the way
of cannon, infantry, etc. He is now re-
ported in Santa Clara province and 1t is
said Is coming with 10000 men.
The censorship is more rigorous than
ever. Nothing is allowed printed concern
ing Gen. Gomez movements or his where
abouts.
There are more shocking details of Lo-
peg Colomas execution. He was kept man
ac1ed twenty-four hours in the chapel. He
was Ill, suffering from dysentery, and very
weak. He saw his child before being kill
ed, which was the only favor allowed. He
showed no weakness in that trying mo-
ment Gen. Martinez Campos Is indignant
at the injustice committed In executing Co
Iona. Gen. Campos obtained the queens
pardon for Coloma and sent telegram so
advising. The message arrived at noon.
Gen. Weyler pocketed it and ordered the
execution to proceed, and Coloma was shot
al o'clock in the afternoon.
The rebels trapped twenty-four local que
rillas near Quivican recently. All were
killed with machetes. The fact was never
reported by the papers. 1t Is rumored that
Gen. Roioff has arrived with an expedition,
He came from Campeche. Mexico.
There is great interest in Havana con-
cerning President Cleveland's messageand
the action Of congress. The Spaniardsand
Cubans alike are anxiously awaiting re-
suits
Havana, Dec. s.-Dr. Luis Pernas. Sc
nor Figueroa, druggist, and several other
well known residents Of Cienfuegos have
been arrested as political suspects.
Gen. Melguizo and Col. San Martin have
made extensive reconnoiters within the
last two days, within the course of which
they met and defeated several groups of
rebels at Maranon, Cabalo and other
places, killing thirty insurgents, all or
whom were armed with machetes.
The expectation of the loyalists here is
at q high point. They wish to hear Of the
decisive defeat of the rebels in the prov
ince Of Pnar del Rio by the troops under
the command of Gen. Weyler. Since his
return to the front from Havana Gen.
Weyler has had no engagement with the
insurgents. In fact, the Spanish scouts
have not been able to locate the enemy,
and the position is not known Of a single
one of the rebel parties. The last report
received here stated that Gen. Weyler and
his forces we're encamped near Los Pala-
clos.
The condition of Gen. Gonzales Munoz,
who recently returned to Havana suffer-
ing with fever, has become worse, and
fears are entertained that he will not re-
cover.
The official Gazette, published yesterday,
contains the decree of Capt. Gen. Weyler,
ordering the redemption OF the present
gold bills within fifteen days, and a new
issue of $40 000,0 600 in silver bills to replace
them. The decree also increases the duties
upon imported goods per cent. The new
silver bills are receivable for the payment
of all taxes except customs duties.
Musketry and cannon firing has been
heard In the direction of the Gobernadora
hills, near Cayajabos, about seven miles
northwest Of Artemlsa and In the rear of
Gen. Weyler's forces. AS yet no report
has reached here as to the occasion of the
firing, but 1t Is thought that a detach-
ment Of Spanish troops has met body of
insurgents who are detached from Ma
ceo's command.
Gen. Weylers ignorance Of the where
abouts of Maceo is remarked upon here,
and is giving rise to many rumors. One
report has 1t that he is in the Rubi hills
With a small force, while another report
states that he has left the province of
Pinar del Rio, having abandoned his men
and crossed the trocha in disguise All
these reports are based on nothing but
conjecture.
Madrid, Dec. IA dispatch to the I'm
parclal from Havana says at 10 o'clock
Tuesday night party Of 100 insurgents
made raid upon the town Of Guanaba-
Goa, five miles from Havana. and burned
a number Of houses. the flames being
plainly visible from Havana. Most Of the
inhabitants of the town fed, but a de-
tachment OF Spanish troops met the rebels
in the chief street of the place and forced
them to retire. Maxine Gomez has en-
tered the district of Las Villas.
The queen regent presided at the meet
ing Of the cabinet council to-day at which
Premier canovas del Castillo announced
the arrival of Gen. Polavcjo the new gov
ernor Of the Philippines at Manila. The
premier also announced that the insurgent
leader Maceo had disappeared from his po-
sition In the Cuban province OF Pinar del
Rio and that the Spanish troops under
Gen. Weyler were pursuing him.
The contract to construct a new float
ing dock at Havana has been given 70 an
English firm. The dock Is 10 be finished
within eleven months and is to cost nl9OOO.
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