Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-02
CUBANS QUITE CONFIDENT
Private Letter from Favana Details the
Situation in the Island.
MACEoS ARMY IN GOOD CONDITION
Recent Reports OF Failure to Force
the Trocho ON the Fart of the
Insurgents Not Dascd
on Facts.

PHILADELPHIA. Nov. Private letters
received in this city by Saturdays mail
from Havana throw light upon recent events
in the island Of Cuba, On letter in par
ticular gives late occurrences in Pinar del
Rio and gives very hopeful view OF the
present Cuban situation. This letter says
that Antorio Maceo has not attempted to
reach Havana province and that although
he made an attack upon the city OF
Artcmisa. which was partially destroyed, he
did not endeavor to force passage OF the
famous trocha. on the other hand, 1t is
stated In the communication, which is from
Captain De Gardo, who recently was in this
city and who is an officer OF General Maceo's
staff, that the rebel army in Pinar del Rio
province is not desrous OF making war in
Havana and Matanzas at this time. Both
OF these provinces are comparatively low
and fiat and the effect OF the Copious rains
on the sol is stll detrimental to the proper
handling OF an army. The letter reads
ITO be with the Cuban army in Pinar de-
Rio does not mean that one is entirely cut
on from communication with the outside
world. The mail system of the republic Is
not in operation in this province, but the
carriers Of our commanders reach Havana
as regularly as do trains in the Grand Cen
tral station of New York.
ONE AMUSING INCIDENT.
Among the accounts that furnished us
with the most amusement was that pub
lishcd In the Diario de la Marina concern
ing an attacl upon Artemisa few days ago
| hear thai the same account was sent to
the Unitel States and published as authentic
news Still, after my visit to New York.
Philadelphia and Washington. | feel that
the readers OF American papers have learned
to discern the difference between Spanish
and Cuban news
AT Artemisa the fight was well carried
on. and some Of our heavy guns were used
to splendid advantage We did not attempt
to pass the troCha for IL not part
of General Maceo's program. Artemisa was
quite strongly entrenched and over 1000
men were there garrsoned. MaCCO did not
attack with his entire force, but desired to
give practice to the artillery. The enemy
was amazed, l am sure. for during nearly
two hours time there was no response from
the town.
General Maceo personally directed the
attack We retired in good order about
midnight, after the artillery OF the enemy
had shelled our position. do not know
the enemys loss but our killed numbered
eighty We left no dead on the field. bur
carried all the bodies away. Among the
killed was Major Perez, whom you know
and who has been one OF our best officers
Maceo's force does not now amount to So
much cavalry, but 1t has been increased
over $500 since the arrival Of the two eN-
petitions"
HAVANA, Nov. l.-Lioutenant Colonel
Fondoviela secured information that the in
surgents had a camp in the neiEhh1yhOo1
Of Cogimar. near Guanabacoa, which Is
just opposite the city Of Havana Lieu
tenant Colonel Fondevea pursued and over
took them as they were passing The rive
of BGrucayabo. He took the positions whicn
they held at Bodega Sitio. In the noun.
talns Of Guanabo and put to the bayong,
tho last OF them in their retreat. Tho less
OF the insurgents was ifty-two killed, while
the Spanish lost one captain and fourteen
~