The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-01-25

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Copyright, 1896, by the Associated Press,
HAVANA, Jan. 24.-For some time
past reports have been in circulation
here concerning the physical condition
OF Gen. Maxine Gomez, commanders
in-chlef of the insurgent forces. one
story has asserted that he was suffer-
ing from wounds and another that he
was seriously Ill with fever. It appears
from information derived from trust
worthy sources that neither OF these rel
ports is correct, but II is positively as
serted that the insurgent chief is q.
very sick man. II Is stated upon the
authority cited that the doctors in at
tendance upon Gen. Gomez recently
held n consultation and diagnosed his
case as being an advanced state OF cons
sumption, complicated with fever. II
Is further stated that the physicians
have come to the conclusion that Go
mez can only live about two months
longer. These statements have caused
considerable alarm among the insrr-
gents and their friends, as, even though
| his condition may be exaggerated to
some degree, It Is believed the main
facts are correctly stated. Besides, ac-
cording TO the reports from the front,
he Is being sharply pushed by the
Spanish troops and is getting little or
no rest now--day or night. The effect
Is that his movements can now be
marked by trail Of tIred-out or lame
| horses which the insurgents leave be-
hind them. The opinioniis expressed
here that the insurgents are in des-
| perate straits, and that for Gomez ey-
erything now depends upon the. safe
liarrival in the province OF Havana OF the
eastern army Of insurgents under Cen
erals Jose Maceo and Rabi. Gomez
yesterday for q time appeared half In
clined TO risk a decisive engagement
with the Spanish troops. he was biv-
ouaclked atthevillage OF Plasolle, not far
from Quivican, south of this city Col
| Galvis, in command of the Spanish
troops at Quivican, gathered together
all the government troops available
and moved with strong column upon
the enemy The latter, contrary TO GUS
tom, awaited the approach OF the
Spaniards, but after half an hours fir
ing, during which a number were killed
and wounded on both sides, Gomez sud-
denly divided his forces into two eDi-
umns and commenced to retreat.
One of the insurgent columns retreat
ed southward to the Lagia district
and the other towards Batabano.
The Pnrsuit.
Col. Linares pushed on after Gomez's
forces and had sxirmish with the enc
my's rear guard. When last heard from
the Linares column was closely press
| ing after the enemy. and Col. Galvis.
having been reinforced by, troops under
Col. Aidecoa, three columns were start
ed in pursuit OF Gomez's forces. News
received at an early hour this morning
showed that Gomez apparently re-
united his forces last night. but broke
camp this morning when informed of
| the approach OF the Spanish troops.
| The forced night march, however, had
| told terribly on the Spanish infantry,
| and the mounted insurgents OF Gomez
| had no difficulty In getting away. The
| Spaniards had also effected q junction,
lCoIonels Linares and Aldecoa having
united their forces SO soon as the scouts
brought word that tho insrrgent coll
umns had wheeled In towards each
other. Later the third Spanish column,
under Col Galvis, reinforced the coll
umns under Colonels Llncares and AL
| decoa and this strong force started
in pursuit OF the insurgents, moving
in a southerly direction, soon after
breakfast this morning. Aprisoner. Sc
yerely wounded. who was captured by
the troops, reported that the men and
horse OF the insurgents are becoming
exhausted from long marching, and
that they are also short Of ammunition
aud provisions.
a dispatch received from Cientuegos
says that Major Alonzo with $50 men OF
the Alaya battalion has been engaged
for three hours at LasJas, In the Glen
fuegos district, with a strong force OF
insurgents, and that the insurgents
left twelve killed and fifteen wounded
on the field and retired. taking with
them many other wounded men. Only
a few Spanish soldiers were wounded.
a Serious Problem.
The authorities now have to face a
serious problem here. Tho price OF all
kinds Of provisions are going up rapidly
every day. In spite of this, people are
Seeking into Havana from the country
districts and other provinces and III
many cases the refugees are people who
have lost almost everything they pos.
sessed. and very great numbers OF them
here and elsewhere, are depndlng upon
| charity. The cost Of the war has been
yisionlng the army has been very great
Consequently, this extra expense which
the authorities will have to meet In
some manner or other Is causing them
a great deal OF anxiety. However,
there is a large and eyer-incrensing ex-
odus OF planters and others from this
city, hundreds leaving by every RteaIn-
ship bound for the United States. Ja-
maica, Hnyti or South American ports.
The increase Of crime In all pro-
vinces Is raid 10 be enormous.
Business lB almost at staudstill, and
commerce Is practically thing OF the
past,
The work Of strengthening the de-,
fenseB OF Havana continues without In.
terruptlon a number Of additional small
forts have been erected at Havana and
the authorities claim that there Ia nbso-
iutciy no danger OF a sudden attack by
the Insurgents, much less a successful
siege OF Havana
Gloon, and Depression.
In spite of this assurance, however,
a feelIng OF gloom and depression pre-
walls here, There is no longer amy talk
OF ssttlInR the revolution by a crushing
blow and although the advent OF Gen.
|. 4. eyior Is looked forward to az likely TO
be the signal Of more active operations
nRninHt the inepFgNHss. the teellng
grows that tho struggle ~ q most OK.
| haiiBting one for all concerned, ana
| thnt much more treasure and blood
must be expended by Spain u the In.
siirrortiOn Is to bo quelled by force OF
arms. Under these circumstances, II 10
not astonishing that a feeling IN favor
Ok some compromlge arrangement u
steadily growing and all eyes are turn
inr towards the United states as likely