The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-17
The SITUATION IN CUBA
Reports from the Scene Of Action
Somewhat Conflicting.
REBELS HAVE THB ADVANTAGE
The Spanish Troops Defeated by tho In
surgcuts at Cobrc-Rcbels Have Cut
OFF Means of Communica-
ti0n with the Interior.

Santiago de Cuba. Jan. 1e. via Key
West, Fla, Jan. 16.-The people of the
town of Cobre have been greatly
alarmed and many families came to
this city for fear that CObre should be
entered by large party of rebels under
Higinis Va2queZ, who for some days
have been around the said town. On
Jan. Vazquez sent a message to the
commander of the garrison Of CObre,
composed of 500 infantrymen and 80
guerrillas. telling him to come out as
far as San Lorge. where he would wait
for him. The Spanish chief accepted
the invitation, and with the guerrillas
and 250 men went to San Lorge. But
the rebels, who numbered about 500,
received them with such terrible
shower of bullets that. although the
Spanish column fought bravely for
nearly an hour, they We're defeated and
We're almost disbanded, and had to re-
treat I'm haste.
The Spanish had thirty-fOur killed,
among them being a captain. Eighty
six soldiers were wounded in the en-
gagement. The insurgents had seven
killed and sixteen wounded. The guer-
rillas of Colonel Tejeda and a section
Of Colonel Sandovars column had an
encounter on Jan. I in Sabana de Mi
| anda with rebel party of 200 men un-
der Pancho Sanchez. Both leaders are
brave men and fought well, but the
enthusiasm of the Cubans In their
cause for independence doubled their
courage. They fought with machetes
and kept their ground, killing six SOL
diers and wounding thirty-four. Span
ish Chief Tejeda received slight
wound on one leg. The people here are
always in a state of excitement, as
rebels appear every night in the sub
urbs of the city and some small groups
have entered into some of the streets
near the entrance of the city. Last
night they visited store in San An
tonic street and carried away with
| them five guns, cartridges and some
provisions. OF course, when the alarm
was given and company of troops
went down to the place, the rebels had
| disappeared.
Madrid, Jan. ia dispatch from
Havana says that the rebels have cut
off all means of communication with
the interior except by the short railroad
from Havana to Marianas. The tele-
graph wires are all cut and the railway
tracks torn uD and the only means of
official communication with the out
| lying provinces Is by steamship.
| The principal insurgent leaders are
said to be going westward accompany
ing conveys of arms and ammunition.
DE LOmc's Cheering News.
| Washington. Jan. 16.-Senor Dupuy
De L0me.t the Spanish minister, late this
afternoon received the following de-
spatch dated january Is, from the
duke of Tetuan. minister of foreign
affairs at Madrid: General Surez Val
dez met and defeated Gomez, killing
and wounding some of his men who
were left on the field. Col. Molina de-
feated a band in the jurisdiction OF
Colon. The column of Jorro also de-
feated the enemy in the Clariera plan
tatiOn. Col. Marti also met and de-
feated another band in Santi Spiritus
There have been other small encounters
also to the advantage of the Spanish
army. but without great result because
of the policy of scattering adopted by
the insurgents. ] telegraph to you the
news with perfect accuracy"
The Spanish minister declares thai
the alarming news published today Is
without foundation. Gomez Is tryins
| without result, to return to the eastern
part of the island and has had severa
engagements in Ceiba. Quibican, Guam
ajay and Bejucal, trying to break thu
Spanish line and pass to the prOvinc,
of Matanzas. There Is no more reason
for alarm now. he says, than two week.
dSo, WneIl tHe lIlSuTSeHtS dppTOacHet
Havana and the Chicago Associated
Press recorded the capture Of the city.
General Prats CIsirns Victory.
Havana. Jan. 16, via Tampa, Fla.
Jan. 16.-Today General Prats sent tn,
following official telegram to Captain
General Martinez Campos from Mari
ano:
After a persistent pursuit of th
enemy, today at half past two oclocl
we sighted them between Palomino ant
the coast. The enemy was marchin;
in the direction of the hills at Guiana
jay. ] attacked them with my column
keeping up steady volleys until fou
O'Clock when they retired in grea
haste to the hills. The rebel comman,
consisted of about 1000 men, command
ed by Maceo. The cavalry continue,
the pursuit. I shall continue It tomor
row irrespective of their number, takin,
advantage of their moral and materia
defeat. to finish the work. The enem,
left eight dead on the field, and
wounded rebel chief Miro. It is be
lieved that many of the enemy wer
wdunded. Their persistent attempts t
reach the coast leads us to believe tina
they wished to cover the embarking O
some of their number or the disembarll
ing of supplies.
'The men In my column are in excel
lent spirits and full of enthusiasm"