Omaha daily bee., 1896-01-29

blockade Has Bcen Effective Enough
to shut on SuppItps,

to shut on Supplies.
HAVANA, Jan 2S.-General Maxine Gomez
has passed the village of Salud, southwest Of
Beju.cal, going westward, apparently to the
assistance OF General Antonio Maceo, who
has been reported to be hard pressed by the
Spanish troops in the province of Pinar del
Rio.
The insurgents have burned some splendid
farm houses at Yaguaramas, near Trinidad,
province Ct Santa Clara, and the cane fields
about San Luis.
The steamer Satrustequi has arrived at
Manzanlo, province of Santiago de Cuba,
having on board Lieutenant Salvador Or
dennez, inventor of the cannon which bsars
his name
A lieutenant of volunteers with small
detachment of those troops has fought an
lnsurgent band commanded by Barnard o.
Cabrea at the plantation of San joaquin,
province of Matanzas. Cabrea was killed.
Colonel Sandoval, at Cobre, province OF
Santiago de Cuba has had a skirmish with
the insurgents, who left four killed on the
field and retired with their wounded. The
troops had two officers and four soldiers
wounded. Pedrodlz the insurgent leader was
among the wounded.
The insurgent force reported to have passed
the village of Salud, going westward, is said
to number 1000 cavalry and GOO infantry.
The columns of troops commanded by Col
onels Lnares and Aldecoa yesterday morning
Seborucal. Arriving at Mounts Trujillo and
Caimito, they heard firing between the in
, surgents and the column Of Spanish troops
which had previously left Gunajaya General
the insurgents in the advance to-
ward Santa Lucia. There the
insurgents awaited the troops with conf
dence. They occupied a strong position, and
! in addition they had cane fields in 'front.' oil
them while their rear was protected By h gh
| aln the TO Baneg. The Span
! ish column advanced in open order pro-
! tscted by three pieces Of artillery. The in
surgsnts made good defense, but the Maui
ser rifles and artillery fire eventually COM
PEELED them to retreat. The troops kept up
| the pursuit until dark. The insurgents less
was numerous and the troops captured a con-
| siderable quantity of arms and ammunition.
The swamps Of Arrayos protected the retreat
| of the insurgents. as the Spanish infantry
was unable to wade through them. The loss
| of the troops was small.
General Godoy, at the plantation OF Olal-
bta has had a skirmish with the insurgent
bands commanded by Roban, at Guatalvarez
and Nunez. The insurgents loss was five
killed and nineteen wounded and the troops
| captured large quantity OF arms. ammuni-
| tion and mail matter. Nine Spanish SOL
| ders were wounded.
Captain Gonzales at the head of small
| detachment of Spanish troops, on Sunday
| last was attacked by an insurgent force
commanded by Lacra Clotilde and Garcia at
the mountain farm OF La Cana. me
| Spaniards were compelled to retreat with
| the loss of five killed and eleven wounded.
| The insurgent loss Is not known.
Maceos position continues to be regarded
| here as critical. and it is considered certain
| that Gomez's attempt to march west is for
| the purpose of succoring him. Spanish col
| umns pursue Gomez closely and harass his
forces, compelling them to fight daily, and
| 1t is asserted here that they are becoming
| demoralzed. Grave reports are circulated
Of Gomezs sickness, and this, combined with
the stores which his men attempt to carry
| is said to make their advance slower tnan
it would otherwise be.
| The leaders, Cayitoe and Alvarez are
| operating in Santa Clara and Lacret In
Matanzas, their policy being to threaten
! small towns and keep the country stirreu
up as much as possible, and thus make II
necessary to lessen the force that can operate
| against Maceo and Gomez. 1t is now ad-
mitted that this policy has not been very
successful. Gomez's and Maceo's men are
far from home most of them being residents
of Santiago de Cuba province They are
| unfamiliar with the western country, and
they do not dare to dlsSand and go among
the people. thus making themselves known
as individuals. AS it is they are recog-
nized wherever they go. which is claimed
as great advantage to the government
The mayor of Havana, who was appointed
by Martinez Campos has resigned. IL IL
the opinion that his successor In the
permanent appointment VIII pe huis W, '"
iado. a conservative. The government mas
appointed numerous officers to serve foi
mayors of towns in place of civil ofncerp
as it Is said they inspire more confidence
The news of the loss CT the hlibusterint
steamer Hawkins was received here WITT
immense satisfaction.
Gomez and Maceo are said to be short OF
ammunition as they cannot receive fresh
supplies by land. They are daily expecting
an expedition to land on the coast to brine
them supplies, but the coast is being closely
watched by cruisers, which have landed de-
tachments at various points.
The insurgents have fired upon pilo
train between Union and San Felipe soutf
Of Havana The trains escort returned the
fire. killing five of the insurgents, but tht
latter compelled the engineer to open the
engines throttle valve and the train was
run wild into San Felipe station and the
engine was destroyed.