The herald., 1896-05-02
A NOTABLE CUBAN VICTORY |
Spanish Forces Under Mun0z
Almost AnnihiIated
HARD FIGHTING EXPECTED
When Maceo Attempts to Break Through
the Trocha
A Statement Hade and Denied That the Pope
Has Urged Spain to Accept Ameri-
can nediatfon
Associated Press special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, May 1.-Ad-
vices received here from Havana indi-
cate that Gen. Calixto Garcia in the
head of band of insurgents in the
province Of Santiago de Cuba recently
defeated and almost annihilated the
Spanish forces commanded by Gen. Mu-
nez
But for the timely appearance OF the
gunboats all the Spaniards would have
been captured More than 300 Span.
iards were killed or drowned and 400
were wounded The loss Of the insuiy
entS was small.
A NOTABLE VICTORY.
KEY WEST. Fla, May IA notable
victory has been won by the insurgents
commanded by Calixto Garcia in the
province of Santiago de Cuba. Advices
received here from Cuba state that Car
cia's forces fell upon the Spanish column
commanded by Gen. Munoz and almost
annhilated them. The battle occurred
near Zanja, on the banks of the river
Cauto. Gen. Garcia was moving west
with 1900 men, intending to cross the
river. Munoz. who was at Manzanillo.
decided to prevent Garcia crossing. hc
led $500 Spanish soldiers out of Man.
zanillo and ordered gunboats to pro-
ceed up the river to Cooperate. Car
cia heard of Munoz' movements and eff
fected a junction with the columns of
Eabi and RodinghauS, thereby increaS-
ing the force under his command to
nearly $500 men. Garcia stationed his
men near Zanja and when the Spanish
column under MunoZ appeared, struck
it in front and flank, doubling it upon
the river. The Spaniards were taken
by surprise and many Of them rushed
into the river and were drowned. The
fire of the insurgents also did great
execution. When the annihilation or
Mhnoz' column seemed certain the gun
boats appeared and saved the remnants
Over 900 of Munoz' men were killed by
insurgents bullets or drowned, and
about 400 were wounded The Spaniards
retreated down the river to Manzanlllo,
protected by tn egunboats. The insurs-
ent loss was small. Gen. Garcia tneh
crossed the Cauto and is now proceeding
west. The news of the advance OF Gen.
Gomez has been confirmed. He has en-.
tered Matanzas province at the head OF
1900 well-armed men. He mas seven
pieces of artillery and plenty OF ammu-
nition. 1t is said that the heid pieces
are in charge of expert artillerymen
who served in the Pennsylvania Nation
al guard and left Philadelphia for Cuba
several months ago Gomez FORCES are
advancing westward rapidly, ana IN a
short time will be in Havana province.
1t is said in Havana that Gomez Is moS.
while Maceo hurls his column against
it from the west
Cen. Weyler is evidently expecting
simultaneous assault on the trocha Dy
the forces of Gomez and Maceo. Tor ne
is hurrying to the line every soldier not
needed for garrison duty. In the next
few days hot fighting is expected on the
trocha.
ANXIOUS FOR UNION
NEW YORK Nav IA dispatch to
the Herald from Havana says: Antonio
Maceo is anxious to cross the trocha
and unite with Gen. Gomez. He is said
to find it difficult to obtain provisions
in Pinar del Rio sufficient to supply his
army. 1t was proposed that the men
who are natives of the province, mainly
whites, surrender their horses to the
men he took there, nearly all of whom
are negroes, and also give them nearly
all of their scant supplies and amnlu-
milton, as hard fighting is expected in
crossing the trocha. Objections were
made on every side and no attempt was
made to carry out the plan. Maceo had
instructions from Gomez to stay in the
Orineta as long as possible.
1t is believed the time is ripe for him
to try to leave.
MEDIATION URGED
NEW YORK, May IA special from
Madrid to the World says: Despite de-
ItleilS lIOlll OlliCldl CllClcS lIldL tHc pups,
through the nuncio here has urged
Spain to accept American mediation in
Cuban affairs, there is an impression
especially among military men and Gu
ban representatives that the report is
true.
1t is considered certain here that the
explosion in the governOr-general's pal
ace in Havana was caused by separa-
lists. Those in Cuba, and also those in
Paris, have made no secret lately of
their intention to try to put Gen. Wey-
Ter out of the way.
Senior Arilla, president Of the Plant
ers' club of Havana, on landing at Cor
unna, made this statement:
1T is great mistake to suppose that
the early establishment of autonomy
would be playing into the hands of the
rebels. The Cuban planters believe
Spain could have spared herself any
sacrifice of men and money If the home
rule law had been put into force twelve
months ago.
Public opinion in Cuba is almost
unanimous in favor of the reforms if
sincerely carried out. Only the Union
Constitutional party in Havana and
those who live by politics and fraud at
the expense of Cuba and Spain oppose
home rule. All the planters and agri-
culturists would welcome reforms which
would reconcile insular and peninsular
interests and convince the colonies that
the home government really intends to
give the West Indies decent realization
Spain will undoubtedly triumph, but
if the war is prolonged Cuba is sure to
be ruined. When it can no longer meet
it's financial engagements the Spanish
treasury must then undertake to meet
them"
A special from Rome to the Herald
says: Nothing is known at the Spanish
embassy here regarding the alleged me-
diation of Pope Leo on the Cuban ques-
tion.
RUIN FOR SPAIN
MADRID, May 1.-Senator Labra
deputy for Cuba, speaking at Seville,
declared that Spains natural policy was
an alliance with France against Amer
lea. The Cuban war, he said, If pro-
longed, meant ruin for Spain, and there
would be renewed struggles unless re-
forms for Cuba were conceded. Local
autonomy, he said, was indispensable.
Train Robbers Trial
vISALIA, May latter three days
trial, the preliminary examination of 81
Lovern and Charles Ardell for compile
itv tho aftaronted train robbery n ocr