Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-25
REBELS APPROACH HAVANA
Nearer the Cuban Capital Than at Any
Previous Time.
BATTLE WITHIN SIX MILES OF THE CITY
Spanish Forces Reported to Have
Surprised the InsurGent Dnnd
and Put II to Flight with
some Loss.

Copyright 1896 by Press Publishing Company
HAVANA, Feb 24.-(New York World Ca
begram - Special Telegram) - Insurgents
under Vianeva and Baldomero Acosta had
a brisk skirmish yesterday with Spanish reg
uars, civil guards and police near Punta
Brava, a village less than ten miles from
Havana. This is the first time in weeks
that rebels in any considerable number have
been so close to the west gates Of Havana
planter driving toward Punta Bravo
with his family, on the way from Mariana,
popular resort six miles from Havana, passed
the advance guard of the rebel band, which
permitted him to proceed unmolested As
soon as the news reached Mariana the Mar
quise De Cervera, a retired colonel of the
Spanish army and the mayor of the town,
ordered the civil guards, the police and all
the available troops to march in the direction
of Punta Brava. The Spanish force sur
prised the rebels near that place, and after
q short but hot engagement put the Cubans
TO flight. Fifteen prisoners were brought
back triumphanty to Mariana and put in the
town Jail.
Thee was gtea rejoicing over the victory.
The people turned out enmasse TO do honor
to the conquering heroes, who were treated
to an elaborate supper at the expense of the
municipality. A squadron Of Spanish cav
airy was sent today from Havana to Mari
ano to reinforce the garrison there.
Villanueva and Accsta have been operating
Independently of Gomez, 1t is thought in
the western part of the country.
BITTER PRESS COMMENT
The Dlario de la Marina commenting on
the speeches of Mr.. Morgan and others in
the United States senate, says:
at appears that these gentlemen, who pre-
tend to speak in the name of humanity,
well as United States sympathiZers with the
Cuban rebels fail to see that it is they who
r,ttro hun nj hy ORR
which cannot be realized. thereby prolonging
a one-sided contest. in which the Spanish
arms surely will be victorious, and causing
great bloodshed. The rebels, exasperated by
their failure. commit arson murder and
other crimes. keeping up their anarchica
unjust struggle against civilization"
I'VE do not pretend to insinuate that
y the America nsenate is not composed of as
prominent and as respectable persons now
az in the days of Thomas jefferson John
Quincy Adams Monroe, Webster and Clay,
but it is questionable that in past times
the same never acted with utter disregard
of truth and in violation of the courtesy
due to a friendly nation, which never failed
in its duty toward the United States and
never has given reason for interrupting
cordial relations with that government.
DEPLORE THE CHANGE.
Never before have we had occasion to
depore that the senate should in such an
irregular manner, or the members should
be SO abusive of Spain as were Senators
Lodge Call, Cameron and Morgan in Thurs
days session.
fortunately. Mr.. Cleveland, the chief
magistrate of the country, is aided by cab
inc. of honest men, who do not ignore the
traditions OF their own government, who are
not disposed to infringe the laws of nations
1t is probable. however that President Cleve-
land will not be called upon to veto senatorial
action granting belligerent rights to those who
in reality are not beligerents, for the senate
measure would require the concurrence Of
the house Of representatives before the pres
ident would be called on-followng the die
tatcs Of his honest conscience and his sense
OF duty-to veto it. Action by the senate
in fact, means nothing. We ought not at
tach any Importance to it,
The rebel chief, Alfredo Godoy, or Alfred
Gold, commonly known as Ell Yglesity, who
was captured on the line of the railroad
between Guines and st. Nicholas, is said to
be AN American citizen, or at least American
born.
Gomez and Maceo are said to be near the
border of Havana and Matanzas provinces.
The people of Havana turned out today
to witness review by General Weyler of
the Urbano battalion, a new organization of
volunteers 1,400 strong. Many old time vol
unteers were in the ranks.