St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-12


under Gen. Calixto Garcia. the veteran
Cuban leader who recently escaped
from prison in Madrid. and who was
in New York in November last. land
ed somewhere on the north coast.
probably in Pinar del Rio, on Wednes-
day last. If Gen. Garcia had with
him the supplies needed by the in
surgents, the Spanish commanders
here claim that further and more i'm
portant aggressive action on the part
of the enemy may be expected in the
near future although they do not ex-
pect an immediate attack on Havana.
SETTING A TRAP.
Referrig to the apparently inexplI-
cable movements of the insurgents
since they almost completely surround
ed this city, Cuban who is generally
well informed regarding the doings of
the leaders intimated this evening that
1T was just possible that the insurgents
had passed into Pinar del Rio in force,
with the view of drawing all the troops
possible after them, and that. when
the proper moment arrived, they would
simultaneously counter-march and
move swiftly on Havana from a num-
/ v.
! he added, the friends of the insurgents
would by that time have completed
arrangements to make demonstration
IN their favor. Bombs would be ex-
ploded and fires lighted at a given
| signal in many different portions of
the city and vicinity and in the con-
fusion which was certain to follow the
insurgents would according to the pro-
oh 20
to Moro Castle and its guns. said the
CUBAN, that fortress would be taken
care of, and there was little or Meth
ing to be apprehended from the Spanish
Heet, as, If it opened fire on Havana,
it would do more damage to the gov
ernment cause than to the insurgents
and the cause of Cuba
The most startlig stories are circu-
lated here by the friends or agents OF
the Spanish government regarding the
atrocities said to have been commit
ted by the Cubans during their march
from Santiago de Cuba to Pinar del
Rio. 1t is claimed that they have
robbed the poor and rich alike. mall
treated the old and young, and that
nothing has been sacred to them. The
Cubans, however, fatty deny these re-
ports, and say that they have acted
as closely and strictly within the rules
of warfare as their guerrilla tactics
permitted. They admit using dyna-
mite to blow up railroad bridges and
trains conveying troops or supplies for
the Spanish forces and they do not
deny having burned all the plantations
of the friends of the government whicl,
it was possible for them to apply the
torch to, but they stoutly hold that
the poor and the weak, the extremely
Old and very young, and especially all
women, have been respected, and that
If any acts of violence have been com
mitted they have been the work Of
agnts of the Spanish government In a
desire to throw discredit on the in.
surgent cause
IN SAN CRISTOBAL.
The news reached here this afternoon
that the advance guard of the insurg-
ents. under the elder NuneZ had arrived
at San Cristobal the second town in
Importance in the province Of Pinav del
RIO, and little over halfway between
this city and Pinar del Rio city. NuneZ
entered San Cristobal on Jan and
met with no resistance. although 1t was
understood here that the city was de-
ny d ldTSe IOTce or spanish
troops. 1t is presumed the Spanish
forces were moved away in order to
take part in operations against the in
| surSentS elsewhere. San CriStobal is
the first large town captured by the in
surgents, and it is quite a victory for
them, as 1t is on the railroad line be-
tween Pinar del Rio and Havana Az
ter capturing the town the insurgents
burned railroad train, which was on
the point Of leaving for Havana with a
! large number Of wealthy people who
| carrying their most valuable possess
! sions, were desirous of seeking refuge
IN the capital. AS these people were
nearly all known to be supporters Of
| the government the insurgents relieved
them Of their valuables and made a
very rich haul. They also captured a
F.! quantity Of ammunition, supplies and
| provisions, and when last heard from
were making merry in the city, celebrat-
ing their victory with all kinds of patri-
! ot1c manifestations, feasting and fire.
works. They plundered all the stores
| and secured much more booty.
A SEAPORT TOWN.
The nsurgent leaders, Delgado ard
Socarras. are reported to have CAPTURED
Bahla Hondo, another important town
In the province of Pinar del Rio, and
| practically seaport for it adjoins a
very fine bay, in which filibusterers can
ind safe refuge, unless Spanish war
ship is promptly sent there, which is
not unlikely to be the case. Guira
Melena, south of Havana, and not far
! from Artemisa, has received another
visitation from the rebels. who did
| much damage. At Benavides the in
surgents burned thirteen railroad
wagons and looted the place The
steamship Villaverde arrived today
| from Santiago de Cuba, having on
board detachment Of troops tc~rein-
force the garrison here 1t was report
ed this evening that the telegraph line
! between Havana and Batanabo had
been cut by the insurgents, thus putting
an end to communication with all points
| south OF Havana, although the govern
ment officials claim they will be able
TO send trains through twice a day. as
| usual.