Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-05
GARCIA AND MACEo UNITE.

Two Cuban Leaders ON Their Way
West With Their Armies.
Gen. Calixto Garcia and Gen. Jose Maceo
the Cuban leaders, have succeeded in
uniting their commands and are both now
OH their way westward. This union is of
the greatest Importance to free Cuba 1t
settles the report that these two leaders
" ere enemies and proves that the Spaniards
have been ouwitted again by the patriots
Gen. Weyler had sent & large force to the
east to prevent the union of the armies
but in vain.
But by far the most grateful news to the
friends of Cuba that comes in connection
with this junction is that the arms and
ammunition and the light field pieces which
were sent to Cuba aboard the steamer Com
modore have been landed and are now be-
Ing used in Garcia's army. The insurgent
forces in the east are therefore well armed
The Late Engagement.
Other information. from Cuba direct
shows that the alleged victory which Gen.
Weyler said he won last week in Pinar
del Rio over Gen. Antonio Maceo was moth
ing more or less than an actual defeat for
the Spaniards.
The report showed that the insurgents
under Gen. Maceo met the Spanish column
near Cacarajicara, an insurgent stronghold
In the mountains Of Pinar del Rio The
men. including two officers Of high rank
They placed the insurgents loss at more
than 300
1t appears now that the situation is lust
the reverse. Gen Weyler has been anxious
to keep the real facts of the defeat of his
troops from leaking out and has sent a
steamer to the north coast of Pinar del Rio
province. which is to carry the wounded
back to Havana, where they are to be cared
for at the military hospital.
To Attack the TrOcha.
One Of the officials of the Cuban legation
says that Gen. Antonio Maceo, whom the
Spaniards thought they had penI1ed In,
Will attack the troeha as soon as he gets
ready.
Gen. Maceo." said the official, went to
Pinar del Rio for the sole purpose of TAX
Ing charge Of that province. We don't care
a snap about the SpaniardS and their tro-
cha. l know that whenever Gen. Maceo
gets ready he will attack the trocha at two
points. These attacks will be made stimuli
tansouslSr and one OF the columns will have
no trouble in breaking through. Then they
can attack'fhe tfotha' fl ON both sides The
Spaniards will be sorry they ever thought
of trocha."
1t is known that Gen. Gomez will, either
go west himself or send Gen. Garcia ard
Jose Maceo. They will then communicate
with Cen Antonio Maceo,' in Pinar del Rio
province, and attack the trocha about the
same time. only from different directions.
-' Shot by His Own Side
A passenger recently arrived from Cuba
reports that Candida Mestro, lieutenant col
onel Of the local guerrilla of Cruces, Glen
fuegoes, has been shot. by order Of Capt.
Alba Of the same Spanish forces This pas
senger alleges that he was in Cruces and
saw the dead body. He also reports that
there were some appalling stories in cir
cnlation as to the cruelty of Mestre: He IL
said to have killed over 80 peaceful peas
ants, and to have mutiiated them before
they were killed In-,one: case 1t Is said,
cutting the ears off to exhibit them, put
ting them in a glass of gin, and then sip
ping the gin. This. it is said, came to the
knowledge of the government through his
killing a cousin of the wife of General
Suarez Valdez. The people Of Cruces are
of Mestro and Alba. Alba is said to be the
same man who insulted the German flag
in the CAROLINE Islands affair,
The Spanish offered to shoot him in order
to make reparauon to the German govern
ment, but, 1t Is said, did not do 80. and
killed another man in his place
To Attack Puerto Principe.,
The Cubans will soon attack Puerto Prin-
cdpe, 1t Is understood, and it is predicted
that they will be able to hold it. The pos
session Of at least one important town.
coupled with proved ability to hold it, has
been insisted upon in this country as a nee
essary prerequisite to United States recos,
milton of the insurgents as belligerent IS
Puerto Principe is one of the largest towns
in Cuba. 1t has over 10000 inhabitants
and is in the very heart of the same name
OF the province. which lies between San
tiago and Santa Clara provinces 1t is
about ninety miles from either shore, and
the center Of railroads running south
north, east and west.