The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-01-01
INSURGENTS STILL BUSY
They Are Doing Much Damage in
the Vicinity of Matanzas.
THEIR sYMPATHIzBRs IN HAVANA

A Turn of the Tide i'm Favor of the Revolu-
tionists Seems Not Improbable in the
Cuban Capital-spain's Futile Efforts TO
Suppress the Rebels.
HAVANA, Jan l.--The most conflicting
reports are in circulation again regarding
the movements of the insurgept forces
under Generals Gomez, Maceo, Bandera
and others. The Spanish officials continue
to claim that the insurgents are in retreat
and that the Spanish troops are pursuing
them out of the province of Matanzas.
But the friends of the insurgents point TO
the fact that even the authorities here
were compelled on Monday and yesterday
to admit that detachments, at least, OF the
insurgents are still in the vicinity of the
city of Matanzas, and that they are still
doing damage.
On Tuesday it was reported from Cam
arioca, fifteen miles from Matanzas, that
Insurgents, said to number 1900 men,
were moving in atvcinity which would
indicate the determination of the insur-
gent commanders to capture Matanzas,
although it has hitherto been the opinion
that the advance on.Havana was the real
aim of Gomez in pushing forward so rap
idly through the province of Santa Clara
and into the province of Matanzas.
Even the Spanish commanders admitted
this possibility for time and after the
engagement near Coliseo they claimed
that this plain of campaign had been
broken up by the success of the Spanish
troops and that the Cuban commanders
had been turned back, and would either
have to surrender or else seek refuge in
the province of Santa Clara Since then
the Spanish generals have apparently been
displaying considerable activity All the
reinforcements possible have been pushed
to the front from this place and from any
other available point.
Quintin Bandera, the third in command
of the Cuban forces, at the head of strong
column of insurgents said TO number sew
eral thousand men, is said to be near Ma
curijes half way between Union de Reye:
and Jaguey Grande, where the Spaniards
claim Gomez is retreating or has retreated
into Santa Clara. Now, if it is true that
the Spaniards are pursuing Gomez through
Jaguey Grande and Santa Clara, the in
surgents commanded by Quintin Banderg
are behind the pursuing Spanish columns
and between them and their base of sup
| plies at Union de Reyes, not very pleas
ant position for the Spanish troops to b,
! in.
| Finally, il is asserted upon good author
ity that Laceret, another of the impC rtan
insurgent commanders, is moving in tn
direction of Ciora, north of Sabanilla ant
westward of Union de Reyes.
II the railroad station of Cabezes, an
nounced to have been burned, is that o
the quite important town of Cabezes
southward and westward of the port o
Matanzas, then the insurgents are ava,
on the other side of Union de Reyes, ant
have passed Matanzas, going in the direc
ton, northward, of Jaruco, and south
ward of Gulnes, two important town
within short distance of Havana.
Adherents of the insurgent cause her
assert that Gomez and Maceo have simpl,
been collecting the necessary supplies o
men and ammunition, preparatory to
| final movement forward upon Havana
Indeed, there are rumors here that the in
surgents have been awaiting supplies o
ammunition, etc, which should now b
within their reach, and that it will be ''ol
to Havana" within few days.
There is no doubt that the authoritie
here, while expressing great confidence O
being able to repel an insurgent attac
/ upon IltlNdlltlt arc uOb 4NlluS 81 certain q
being able to suppress n popular uprisin
should there be an outbreak here in favo
of the insurgents. The wonderfully sue
cessful march of the insurgents throug
the Island of Cuba and the utterly unsuC
cessful attempts made by the Spanis
commanders, backed by the picked troop
of Spain, to stop their progress, have wo
for the insurgent cause sympathizers,
not adherents, in circles and quarter
hitherto entirely loyal and extremely III
likely to favor the republican administr,
tion OF this island. What was impossibl
month or so ago looks to be quite po
sible, if not probable, at present-a turn {
the tide in favor of the Cubans in all bu
the strictly official and high conservativ
circles.
1t is reported here today that additionG
reinforcement of troops have been u
gently requested from Spain, that some
them have already sailed, and that til
captain general is very anxious that the
should arrive here in the shortest time po
sible, in order to take part in the defens
of Havana, it being understood that ever
man who could be spared has been hurrie
to the front.