St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-04
PRIVATE LETTERS DESCRIBE THE
SITUATION ON THE ISLAND AS
MORE HOPEFUL.
SPLIT IN SPANISH PARTIES.
GREAT JEALOUSY 5 TO EXIST
BETWEEN THE iLITARY
LEADEI
NEWS REPORTS NJ RELIABLE.
or FaIsified by the Author
ities.s

NEW YORK, Feb. 3. THE news
brought to this city today by the Ha-
vana steamer was cheering for the
friends of Cuban liberty The letters
of the secret agents Of the revolu-
tionary party in Havana spoke of a
split among the Spanish parties on the
island; OF jealousies among the mill
tary; Of starvation in the city, and
of a crisis in the commercial situa-
ton. F. C. Pierra translated one of the
most important letters. Parts Of it
were as follows:
There is a very decided division be-
tween the Conservative and Reformist
parties Of the Spaniards, and they are
pouring hot shot into each others
ranks through the columns of the press.
AS a proof of this, / send you the
papers of the Conservative party, in
which the editorials are written in a
particularly bitter strain against their
former allies. The Reformist party
was in favor of the mild policy of
Campos, while the Conservatives be-
lieve in fire and bloedshed The situa-
ton is most critical one, and no one
recognizes this fact better than the
Spaniards.
1.-THE excitement In Havana is in
creased by the fact that the govern
ment does not, allow any news to be
printed except that given out from the
official bureau. Spaniards as we'll as
Cubans know that the better part of
the news given out is fabricated
The correspondent then goes on to
detail several engagements, in one OF
which a whole troop, of 300 Spaniards
were annihilated. The news given out,
however, was Of a tremendous Spanish
victory.
''The price of provisions is rising very
rapidly, and destitution in the city of
Havana is increasing rapidly. A great
many families are now dependent for
subsistence on what the government
gives them-a small amount weekly.
There has been times within the past
few days when there has not been pro-
visions of any kind to be bought at the
public markets, even those having mon-
ey to spend being obliged to go hun
CRY. Nothing has been received from
the surrounding country for long
time.
Another circumstance which aggra-
Yates matters is the fact, we'll known
is very great discomfort known to ex-
ist among the military friends of Gen.
Pando, whom they think was sighted
by the government at Madrid in ap-
pointing Gen. Weyler to the position
formerly filled by Gen. Campos. 1t is
we'll known that this part of the Span
ish element are far from being willing
to cooperate with those who are fa-
vorable to Weyler, and that they will
do anything they may safely do to
make him fail. On the whole, every
thing looks very bad for the Spaniards
Pay no attention to the cable dis
patches in regard to the movements Of
Gems. Gomez and Maceo. 1 know for
a certainty that they have been oper-
ating with entire freedom, and thut
they have remained In Havana and
Pinar del Rio because they are not
in the least afraid Of being beaten bv
the Spaniards'
In another letter 1t is stated that the
commercial situation in Havana is crit
ical
BUSINESS IS PARALYZED
and large commercial. houses are dis
missing all of their employees. Busi-
ness men are anxious that the trouble
should be ended one way or the other
without loss of time
Gen. Marin has had an engagement
with body of the insurgents which he
reports to be the main force under
Gomez and which was put to flight
with loss of twenty killed The entire
absence of any details as to the num-
Der OF insurgents In the body attacked
leaves some ground for doubt as to
whether 1t was Gomez's immediate fol-
lowing. Pretty much the whole of the
combined columns under Gen. Marin
including 1,700 cavalry, seems to have
been engaged. This force was equipped
with a special view to running down
ana corner1ng the Insurgents when
once 1t should come face to face with
them and great expectations were
founded on its supposed ability to do
this.
1t Is also reported that the columns
under command of Gen. Cornell, ope-
rating in combination with those under
Gems. Linares and Aldecoa, are in pur-
suit OF numerous band of insurgents
near Artemisa, which Is supposed to be
Maceo's main force. This band is said
to be striving to effect a junction with
Gomez, and 1t seems In a fair way to
do SO, as there is no apparent check In
It's advance along the southern coast
or Plnar del Rio. Fhe reported dispO-
sition Of the troops was such as to pre-
vent the advance Eof Maceo, ard was
not such as to make any pursuit Of him
necessary. the plan being to await his
coming. Among other rumors which
come from Pinar del Rio is one that the
well known leader zayas has been
killed.
Refugees arriving from Pinar del Rio
province report that the insurgents
have burned Paso Real and Palacios.
which were along the line Of Maceo's
march from the Western portion of
Pinar del Rio towards the Havana
province line. =
The band led by Pedro Diaz, number
ing thousand, is reported as making
active NOV vements about Guira Melena.
Gabriel and Lasalus, which are be-
tween the Batabauo military line and
Artemisa.
Further, news is awaited with lively
interest. as it is believed 1t will be
proved in a very short time whether
the effort Of Macac and Gomez to form
g. junction will prove successful or not.
First BIood for Gomez.