The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-28
BUILD A NEW WALL OF MEN
Spanish General Viii Alter Campos
Plan of Battle.
MACE0. 1T IS SAID. CAN NOT ESCAPE
Hut Another Report says He IL Calming
Strength Daily - Warning of Fiii-
bustcrcra Given Out.

New York, January ia special to the
World from Havana. Cuba, says: The
plan OF campaign adopted by the COM
mander-in-chicfo of the Spanish forces now
In Cuba has been divulgcd by several Of
ficers OF high rank whose names must be
kept secret. General Cainpos established
what became known as the wall OF men,"
He distributed large number Of Spanish
troops In such a manner that they pracu-
cally formed solid line from coast to
coast. Ills line began In the north about
five miles west OF Havana and extended
south TO tho bay OF Matamano. At the
time this plan was adopted Gomez had
announced that he would take his COM
mand not only into Havana province, but
that he would take II into Pinar del Rio
and as far west as he possibly could.
Campos determined TO prevent Gomez
from carrying out his project. The wall
OF men was well TO the westward Of the
railroad limo b-tween Havana and Bata-
bano.
Maceo and Gomez not only succeeded In
crossing Campos' line, but rccrosscd 1t
several times. Maceo remained In Pinar
del Rio province. doing about as he
pleased, while Gomez invaded Havana
province again, and one time campcd
within fifteea miles of the capital OF
Cuba.
Reports wcrN printed In the United
States that Gomez was at the gates OF
Havana and that II was only n question
of n few hours when he would enter the
city, haul down the Spanish banner and
raise the flag OF the Cuban republic. But
Gomez had no Intention OF attacking tho
city; he openly declared that 1t would be
more than foolish to do so. His sole OBJ
ject is to keep the Spanish troops moving,
hoping TO tire them out II he can con-
tinue his present warfare until tho warm
weather sets In he knows yellow fever
will do the rest.
Both Generals Marin and Monpando are
convinced that while the idea OF the wall
OF men IL a good one, the wall of men is
In tho wrong place-too far west 1t was
decided. therefore. to have a strong wall
along the railroad. Thousands of troops
are stationed along that line and small
Notifications have been erected near each
station.
A large number of armored cars have
been ordered. They are to he box cars,
protected by boiler iron. At either end of
the cars will be Iiotchkiss rifles, cannon,
howitzors or gatling guns. These cars
are TO be placed between the railway sta
lions. At least 5000 armed troops viii be
kept constantly moving over tho line.
Macco ana his command, tho Spanish
general says. can not escape. lie is
looked upon as an easy mark" Many
OF his troops are believed to be wounded.
Az he has no ambulance corps he Is un.
able to move them and does not want
to leave them at the mercy of the span
ish. The Spanish say his only chance
10 get entirely away viii be In boats
| Spanish warships have been stationed
along the coast. one fired n few days
ago upon an encampmcnt of Insurgents
| The Spanish commanders fear only Co
nIez. Although he is % years old. they
| recognize In him one of the ablcst oil
| lighting men and an expert tactician.