The Princeton union., 1896-01-23
CAMP Y q OS is FIRED.
REMOVED FROM HIS COMMAND BY
THE SPANISH CABINET.

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Gen. Polnvieja Is Appointed Captain
General of the Spanish Forces In
Cuba and Governor General OF
the Island to Succeed Gen. Cam
pos, Who Is Declared by the Cab
met to BE III.
Madrid, jar 2O.-The cabinet has
decided to appoint Gen. Polavieja to
replace Martinez Campos, who Is ill,
as captain general Of the Spanish
forces in Cuba and governor general
of the island.
Havana, Jan. 15.-This afternoon
clouds of smoke were seen arising in
the direction Of the village of Vegas,
near San Francisco de Paula, a small
town only about five miles distant.
This was followed by a red glare show
ing that great fire was in progress in
that direction. The alarm spread at
once throughout the city and the re
port was again circulated that the in
surgents were approaching. But this
was as nothing to the feeling Of terror
which came over the more timid por-
tion of the population when a still
larger fire was seen to have broken
out. This time it was made out that
the town of San Francisco de Paula
had been set fire to by the insurgents
and the alarm increased although the
authorities professed to sneer at the
matter, claiming that the fires were
only the work Of a few beaten and re-
treating insurgents who had been
driven to despera ton.
& Havana, Jan. 16.-Exciting news
from the front was received here
about noon, in shape which prevent
ed it's accuracy from being denied.
The sound of continued artillery firing
was heard south of Rincon, not far
from Bejucal, the town which was at
tackled by the insurgents yesterday
with the result that, according to the
official statement of the affair, they
were forced to retreat after strong re-
;sistance upon the. part of the govern
ment forces defending that place, the
battle lasting, it is claimed, for five
hours. But it is admitted that the in
'Surgents plundered stores in the out
lying streets of BejUcal. burned
number of houses and destroyed the
railroad depot by fire. Previous to this
they had burned the town of Saluda,
quite good sized place, and partially
destroyed Quivican, smaller place.
They varied these operations with
burning freight trains aid destroying
railroad engines, as they pushed north
ward and toward Havana. This force
iof insurgents is the one which is sup
posed to be commanded by Gomez in
01 I, hoe -
that he is still in the province of Pinar
del Rio, and that he was in conflict
with the Spanish troops commanded
by Gen. Linares. 1t is believed that
an important engagement is taking
place, and further information is very.
anxiously expected. The insurgents
are now practically in control of the
island, except the larger cities, and 4
march upon Havana is again being
discussed.
Havana. Jan. 1.-THE cause of the
heavy artillery firing heard yesterday
IN the direction of Bejucal, south Of
this city and about half way between
Havana and Batabano, remained q
mystery until about noon to-day. ~.
1t now appears that Gen. Linares,
commanding strong force of Spanish
troops, moved from the vicinity Of
Managua, Santiago, Rincon and Salud,
upon Bejucal, upon learning that Gen.
Gomez's forces had attacked Bejucal,
and We're rcpulsed by the garrison of
that place after five hours fighting.
Not satisfied with this repulse, the in
surgents prepared to make a second
attack yesterday upon Bejucal.
mo fho n,ypSe, I,
only been strongly reinforced, but the
Spanish troops commanded by Cen
Linares had taken up we'll chosen and
concealed positions in the vicinity.
The insurgents were allowed to get
within short distance of Bejucal and
then the garrison opened fire upon
them. This was the signal for the
Spanish force to unmask it's batteries,
and a heavy artillery and rifle fire was
poured into the insurgents ranks. The
enemy was taken completely by sur
prise, came to a halt, finally returned
the fire of the Spaniards, then way
cred, broke and fed.
The insurgents are said to have been
commanded by Gen. Gomez in person,
while Gen. Linares was in personal
command of the Spanish troops. The
rout of the insurgents is reported to
have been complete, and their loss is
said to have been heavy.
ss4 Close Call for Gomez T
Gen. Linares is reported to have
started in pursuit Of Gen. Gomez with
all the Spanish troops available in the
neighborhood Of. Bejucal; but as the
insurgents are anaiply: mounted men
and the Spaniards in that vicinity are
nearly all infantry and artillery, there
Is not much prospect Of coming up
with the fleeing enemy.
1t became known to-day that Gen.
Gomez had a narrow escape from be-
Ing captured shortly after ne executed
his countermarch in Pinar del Rio. and
made once more for the borders of the
province Of Havana. He was in the
nelghborhood of Las Mangas, south
west Of Artemisia. at the head Of a
small band Of insurgent cavalrymen,
when he suddenly came upon a Span
ish bivouac. Before the insurgent
commander-in-chief had recovered
from his surprise, he was almost sur
rounded by Spanish infantrymen with
hn