Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-11
WEYLER'S TROCHA.
Varying Opinions as to Its
Value to the Spanish.
Takes $1,000 Troops to Guard It Who
Otherwise Would Be in Field.
Cuba Patriots Have But Little Respect for II
and Frequently Cross Il.

George Bronson Rea. who was in active
had 'i many NY" opportunites OF nspec CINE
General Weyler's western line of fortifi-
cations known as the trocha.. He describes
this line for the readers of the Herald.
and points out General Weyler's purpose
III establishing it.
The trocha. or military line running
from Muriel to Majana. in Pinar del Rio
province, was built by General Weyler to
keep Maceo from recroSsing into Havans>
province. General Weyler's plan for th;,
winters campaign. as generally under
stood by the insurgents is to fofce them
from the hills by superior numbers, ana
drive them toward the trocha, where the
combine to force Maceo to a decisive bat
tie. in which General Weyler expects 10
be victorious.
Much has already been written about
the construction of this trocha. but it
a significant fact that all correspondents
nave limited their descriptions to the
or Guanajay. General Weyler readily
grants permission to correspondents to
visit and inspect these places, feeling sure
that their impression will be favorable to
his pet creation. The fortifications near
these large towns are the strongest and
best constructed on the line. and the crit
icism is generally favorable.
But lei correspondent ask permission
TO be shown the whole length of the line
through the country and into the swamps
ana the answer will be negative.
Although l cannot speak with authority
on the subject of the trocha in or near
the towns mentioned, with the other
panied Major Barrios and Lieutenant
Colonel FREDERICK Nunez in their explora-
tions along the line and finally crossed it,
The trocha is an admirably constructed
affair as an obstacle to a cavalry charge
Between Artemisa and Guanajay
trench has been dug at various places and
neaNy bdrbed wire fences run the whole
length. Coils of loose barbed wire are
strewn on the ground to the front of the
trench in many places. and cactus. carbon
and other thorny plants are scattered
around. The first is intended to entangle
the cavalry. and the thorns, it is hoped
vii act as an obstacle to the shoeless
To the west of the trocha at various
points are advance or outpost forts.
which are expected to give timely warn
ing to the. main force of any rebels at
tempting the passage.
If the Cubans succeed in passing these
posts in safety. the barbed wire entangle-
check their advance until the Spanish
forces can be assembled. At the same
time they will be subjected to the direct
iire of the main line forts. distant one
from the other about 500 yards. each gar.
risoned by about 100 riflemen. Several of
the forts have rapid-tire guns and three.
inch rifles.
There are several extremely weak spots
IN TINS trocha known to the Cuban scouts.
VINO cross and recross It very often. The
passage between the forts. however, is
vet the Cubans think little of
the danger they run.
l might give an example of the daring
OF two Cuban scouts who crossed by run
ming the gauntlet of Spanish sentries.
" hen challenged by a sentinel one DARK
night, instead of answering they spurred
their horses and rode straight for him
The sentinel opened fire and so did mis-
companions who came running to his aid.
put the shower of bullets only served IL
increase the speed Of the two horsemen
and in five minutes they had ridden
through the lines and gained the woods
ln the other side. where they were SAT-
from pursuit. One of the scouts was a
brother of Colonel Perico Delgado. ard
carried important dispatches for General
fomeZ. This is the only instance I know
Of in which the line has been crossed bv
cavalrymen.
The sentinels have orders to fire. with
)ut challenging on any one approaching
The line during the night.
The Spanish forces operating near the
inc and using the forts as a base of oper-
atoms are divided into three sections,
by General Arolas with
at Artemisa. The northern
livision has its headquarters at Guanajay
state. Neptune. The town of Mangas
which was burned by the insurgents. sit.
lated about three miles to the west. of
he line. is being rebuilt and fortified to
,erve headquarters for the columns
operating in this district under General
iasco.
The line from Artemisa south to the
of the Majana swamp is excep-
ionally strong. having as the line four
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