The record-union., 1896-04-01
Sickening Spectacle Witnessed at a Pub.
lie Execution at Havana.
The Victims Die. Emitting Most Dis
tressing Cries.
An Insurgent Force Of Two Thousand
Men Attack Battalion of Spanish
Troops In the Province of Pinar Del
Rio, the Latter, After Hot Fight,
Being Forced to Retreat, Losing
Many Killed and Wounded.

HAVANA, March 31.-Never in mod
ern times has there been more sick
ening spectacle than that which to-
day attended the public execution Of
five Cubans, condemned to death by
the garrote, as 'murderers, violators
and incendiaries'
Troops were drawn up in hollow
square and in the middle were placed
chair and a post. Ruiz, the public
executioner, had deputized an assist
ant to conduct the affair. The con-
demned men were brought into the
square to meet their fate. One had
confessed his guilt and affirmed the
innocence of all the others, who also
protested that they were guiltless. The
first man took his seat in the chair
calmly, the iron collar was fixed about
his neck and cap was drawn over the
face. The executioner undertook to ap-
ply the screw, but was so excited that
his hand slipped repeatedly. The vic
tim died by slow strangulation, emit
ting most distressing cries. The sec
ond execution was accomplished with
even more distressing awkwardness,
the executioner being almost on the
verge of collapse. The protests of Off
GERS and priests forced Ruiz to under
take the third execution, but he did lit
tie better than the assistant had done.
Then Ruiz literally fled from the post,
leaving his assistants to put to death
the other unfortunate Cubans, who suf-
fered the same agonizing experience as
their fellows.
MORE TROOPS NEEDED.
MADRID, March 31-A dispatch
from Havana says there is reason to
believe that Captain General Weyler
has asked for 10000 more troops, and
that Senor de Azcarraga, Minister of
War, has approved the requisition.
An Impartial dispatch says that the
Spaniards have defeated the reGsis un-
der Maceo at Tenerias Guanes, killing
seventy-two and wounding a hundred.
The insurgents continue to surrender.
BAD DEFEAT FOR TROOPS.
HAVANA, March 81 Especial corre-
spondence of the United Press).-Intel-
ligence has reached here of bad de-
feat of Government troops. On March
24th an insurgent force of nearly 1000
men, led by Varona, Sosa and others,
surprised and attacked the Madras Bat
talon between Guiana and La Fe, in the
province of Pinar del Rio. The battalion
was conveying a train of army sup
plies.
Five hundred rebels first attacked
the vanguard of the Government force,
and later 400 men attacked the rear
guard, which was then reinforced. An
other attack was then made on the van
guard and left flank, and the troops
were compelled to form a square to
resist the attack. Cavalry was also used
III the attempt to hold the rebels in
check, but without avail. They lost
many killed and wounded. After a hot
fight the troops were compelled to re-
treat. They lost many killed and
wounded.
Throughout the fight and during the
retreat of the troops the insurgents
used their machetes with deadly ef-
feet. The greater part of the convoy
fell into the hands of the rebels. Many
oxen that were destined for the use of
the troops We're killed by the extreme
heat. With the convoy were seventy
four sick and wounded Spaniards.
The official report vays, of course,
that the troops won the fight, and that
the rebels lost thirty killed, among
whom was an ex-Sergeant of the Civil
Guard.
The same battalion had an engage
ment with rebel force at Lazo Fajado
on March Nth, in which the rebels are
said to have lost twenty killed and
wounded.
No information has been made pub
lie concerning the movements of Ma
Geo, who is still in the Province of Pinar
del Rio.
General Barges reports that he has
captured a rebel camp near Guanta-
namo, Province of Santiago de Cuba.
In the fighting the rebels lost six killed
and four wounded. Twenty-Five pris-
oners were taken, twenty-one of whom
We're women. Among them is the mother
of the rebel leader Perez. The women
were acting as nurses. The troops de-
stroyed all the equipments, medicines
and effects found in the camp.
Insurgents are said to have blown up
the cable station near Cienfugos with
dynamite.
1t is stated tonight that Walter Grant
Dygart the young American who was
arrested some time ago on a charge
that he was "Inglesito." a notorious
bandit, will be treated as prisoner Of
war The authorities appear to believe
lIldl tHey nave d SOlIlpiStC CHdlil VI cNl-
dence showing that if Dygart is not
"Inglesito' he is rebel. He is now in
jail at Guines.
1t is again reported here that Gomez,
the rebel Commander-in-Ch is dead.
Proof of the report is lacking.
j. FRANK CLARK.
FILIBUSTERING EXPEDITION.
PHILADELPHIA, March 31.-It is
reported that another large expedition
will soon sail for Cuba. The port of de-
parture and the time of sailing is in
doubt, although 1t is said the vessel
may get away within the next forty
eight hours. The vessel which will
take out the expedition is reported to
be large steamer recently purchased
by the Cuban junta in this country. 1t
is further said that the steamer will be