Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-20
TO FIGHT CUBANS.
Spain Proposes to Send Great
Army in Early Fall.
Two Companies will Be Taken from
Each Battalion in Spain.
Interview With Spanish Consul General In
New York-Ncws from Havana.

| view LUX, july l3--StEcf Don Arturo
Baldasano Y. Topctc. the consul general
Tor spain in this city, during an inter
view with representative Of the press,
| was asked for information regarding
| the reported death of Jose Maceo. Senior
| Baida5ano said that he had no official
Information regarding the matter, but
| that 1t was probable, as the rebel ranks
are sa'd TO be rent by dissention. In sup
| port of his views, he said that nforma-
| ton had been received from several
| Cuban whites who recently joined the
rebels that they were obliged to serve
| as privates under black leaders that it
| had caused much feeling among the
| whites, and that the blacks would not
| give them commands, as the blacks and
| their descendants had borne the brunt
OF the war.
When asked as to the outlook for Spain
i'll Cuba, senior I5aldasano said that il
was excellent; that the rebellion had,
he believed. reached its maximum
strength; that the rebels were in two
main commands: that the one in Pinar
IL mined in by the trocha and cannot es-
cape. The rebels in the eastern part ct
central Cuba and eastern Cuba, under
Gomez and tine others. were not, he de-
clared, advancing To the relief of An
tonic Maceo but were reported to he
falling back on eastern cuba. where
marked discomfort was reported in the
rebel camps and that the presence of
Gomez was necessary u maintain dis
ciplinc and uphold the authority of
Calixto Garcia.
Regarding the discomfort among the
rebels. Senior Baldasano said that many
blacks and whites We're surrendering,
with horses and arms, and that under
the orders of General Weyler they were
placed on parole and released.
Regarding the August and September
re-enforcements for Cuba. he gave the
following details.
There are Sc battalions Of the line in
Spain. Each will organize two expedi
tionary companies Of the following
strength one captain. four subalterns,
FIVE sergeauts. 10 c0rporals, five trum
peters and 30 men each. Spain has 10
battalcns OF sharpshooters. They will
lied like the infantry. The Canary ISL
ands have two local hattalions, and the
Reieric Islands three local battalions |
They viii contribute their quota Of two
companies each the men from the ISL |
ands will be deemed local reserve in
Cuba to supply vacancies caused by |
death and wounds
The pre- ceding will give 1SS companies, |
consisting of 13S captains. 552 subalterns, |
total go officers The rank ana file Will |
of coo sergcants, 1850 oorporals, |
690 trumpeters and 31.7i0 soldiers. max |
ing a total infantry strength of $500 |
officers and men.
A small detachment of cavalry will be |
sent 1t viii be under the command of |
lieutenant colonel two majors cap
tain and two licutenants. There will |
also be sent detachment OF artillery
numbering 1852 men. 500 of whom be-
long to the field batteries of the Royal
artillery of Spain. leo to mountain bat
tcries. with 292 of various rank from the
artillery establishment The artillery
will be under the command of major,
seven captains. 10 first lieutenants and
II second lieutenants. Also a detachment
of engineers. consisting of 1888 men, Of
whom 80 win be sappers and miners,
Three hundred from the regiment of mill
itary telegraphers, 524 from the regi-
ment of railway engineers. They will be
commanded by lieutenant colonel two
ma iors II captains and So subalterns
The total strength of the August and
September expedition will be as follows.
Infantry. all ranks. 35.l90; cavalry, all
ranks. i67: artillery, all ranks, 1882: en-
sineers. 1919: total, IS, 55S. Between Aug
ust Is and 20 all the infantry will en-
bark Early in September the other
detachmcnts will follow.
The regulars enumerated above will
be accompanied by two full battalions of
consisting of 1900 men, the
latter organized by the bishop of OWE
ges in .Asturias.
The two regiments will he supported
by popular subscription and main
tanned by that province. The men will
receive blessing from the pope. In De-
cember 1000 achievements will be for
warded to Cuba. All will he sent in the
armed cruisers of the Spanish Trans
atlantic company. If necessary the num-
be- will be made up to 100000 men. The |
of civilians in Spain is re- |
the active aid of the bishops and
clergy.
THREE pERSONS pIIRNEn