St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-25
LOOK TO UNCLE SAM
STRONG FEELING IN HAVANA THAT
A COMPROMISE SHOULD BE
EFFECTED.
GOMEZ SAID TO BE DYING.
AN ADVANCED STAGE OF CON-
SUMPTION.
FACE TO FACE WITH FAMINE.
Destitute Refugees FIOckinG to Ha-
vana and Food Is Becoming
Scarce.

HAVANA, Jan. 24.-For some time
past reports have been in circulation
here concerning the physical condition
of Gen. Maxine Gomez, commander
in-chief Of the insurgent forces. One
story has asserted that he was suffering
from wounds, and that he was seriously
i'll with fever. 1t appeared from infor
nation derived from trustworthy
sources that neither of these reports
are correct, but it is positively asserted
that the insurgent chief is a very sick
man. 1t is stated upon the author
ity cited that the doctors in attend
ance upon Gen. Gomez recently held
consultation, and diagnosed his case
as being an advanced stage of con-
sumption, complicated with fever. 1t
is further stated that the physicians
have come to the conclusion that Co
mez can only live about two months
longer. These statements have caused
considerable anxiety among the insur-
gents and their friends, as even though
his condition may be exaggerated to
some degree, 1t is believed the main
facts are correctly stated.
Besides, according to the reports from
the front he is being sharply pushed
by the Spanish troops, and is getting
little rest now day or night. The eff
feet is that his movements can now
be marked by a trail of tired out or
lame horses, which the insurgents leave
behind them. The opinion is expressed
here that the insurgents
ARE IN DESPERATE STRAITS,
and that for Gomez everything now de-
ponds upon the safe arrival in the
province of Havana of the Eastern or
second army of the insurgents, under
Gems. Jose Maceo and Rabi. Gomez
yesterday, for a time, appeared half
inclined to risk a decisive engagement
with the Spanish troops. He was
bivouacked at the village of Plazelle,
not far from Quivican, south of this
city. Col. Galvis, in command Of the
Spanlards at Quivican, gathered to-
gether all the government troops avail
able and moved with a strong column
upon the enemy. The latter contrary
to custom, awaited the approach of
the Spaniards, but after half an hours
firing, during which a number were
Killed and wounded on both Sides Co
mez suddenly divided his forces into
two columns and commenced to re-
treat. One of the insurgent columns
retreated southwark to the La Gia
district and the other towards Bata-
insurgents, and had skirmish with
the enemy's rear guard. News received
from the front at an early hour this
morning showed that Gomez apparent
ly reunited his forces last night, but
broke camp this morning when in
formed of the approach of the Spanish
troops. The forced night march, how
ever, had told terribly on the Spanish
infantry, and the mounted insurgents
of Gomez had no difficulty in getting
away. The Spaniards had also effect
ed junction, Coils. Linaros and Aide
Goa, having united their forces as soon
as the scouts brought word that the
two insurgenIt columns had wheeled in
towards eacn other. A dispatch re-
ceiVed from Cienfuegos, says that Mai
Alonzo, with $50 men of the Alava
battalion, has been engaged for three
hours at LaSjas, in the Cienfuegos
district, with a strong force of in
Surgents, and that the latter left twelve
killed and fifteen wounded on the field
and retired, taking with them many
other wounded men. Only a few Span
ish soldiers were wounded. The au-
thorities now have to
FACE A SERIOUS PROBLEM
here. The prices Of all kinds of pro-
visions are going up rapidly every day.
In spite of this, people are fiocking into
Havana from the country districts and