The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-02-06
SINCE CAMPOS' DEPARTURE
NUMBERS ARE BLOCKING TO
THE REBEL LEADERS.
GENERAL MACEO'S FORCES .SWELLED
From 1000 to 10000 in Pinar Del Rio.
Other Reports Say Maceo is in Sore
Straits-Gomez Moving to
His Succor.

Havana, JAN 30.-General Marin, the
captain general pro TEN, with the head
quarters staff, has left for the field in
order to take charge of the operations
against the insurgents.
General Suarez Valdez has been ap-
pointed acting captain general in the
absence of General Marin.
The sound of what appeared to be a
serious engagement was heard yesterday
between Seborucal and Laceiba. 1t is
believed that the fighting took place at
the Saldrigas farm, between the two
places mentioned Much artillery firing
was distinguished and it is supposed that
the columns of Spanish troops, COM
manded by Colonies Canelas and Galbis,
have been engaged with the insurgents
under General Maxine Gomez, who are
understood to be making for the province
of Pinar del Rio in order to reinforce the
insurgents under General Antonio
Maceo.
A dispatch from Placetas, in the pro-
tations of Adela, San Augustine, Alta
Maria, San Pablo, San Felipe and Zaza
have been burned. The loss is estimated
at $SO0000.
Reports are in circulation here to the
effect that Antonio Maceo is in sore
straits, his following being scarce of
both ammunition and provisions and be-
ing obliged to slaughter their own horses
to eat. These reports are not to be traced
to any very authoritative source and in
part are based upon surmise. There is
n hot lii ctr
efforts to open way through the mill
tary line along the railroad from Havana
to Batabano and it is said that Maceo has
sent several emissaries to Gomez urgent
ly appealing to him for succor. In re-
Spouse to this appeal Gomez has succeed
ed in passing the military line, but the
| authorities claim that he has not been
able to keep any line or retreat open for
himself. Be that as it may, he is max
ing progress westward either with the
purpose of joining Maceo or of creating
a diversion in the north and drawing off
the forces in pursuit of Maceo while that
leader makes his way eastward into the
south. The latter is regarded as the more
probable course by observers here, as
Gomez has been reported as passing
Banos and as having proceeded toward
Cabanas along the nothern coast. The
Spanish authorities are claiming that if
oOliiSA III reality SET OUT IOT the we
and is not merely planning a counter,
march back towards Havana province,
his position will soon be badly compro-
missed. But these claims have been made
before and the fact remains that Gomez
is apparently in a way of staying in his
immediate purpose of forming a junction
with Maceo or of affording him relief.
Maceo is reported to be still in the
Sierra de Los Arganos.
The. insurgents continue the work of
ravaging the province of Santa Clara
and the destruction there is widespread.
A band of a thousand has isolated towns
and destroyed the crops in the cultivated
zone of the district of Los Gidos. Num-
berless families are left homeless and
are seeking aims.
Fort Martinez was also attacked and
the garrison made truly heroic defense
until night. when the insurgents retreated
with considerable loss.
The band of Quintin Bandera is report
ed to be moving in the vicinity of Mana
Jabo. Santa Clara. They are troubled by
scarcity of ammunition.
The cane fields of central Cieneuuito. in
burned.
The insurgent forces in Santiago de
cuba are by no means depleted and num-
erous bands are securing the country
around Bayamo. Between Canas and
Alfonso Doce, in Matanzas, the insur-
gents stopped an exploring party and
hanged the engineer.