Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-04
BATTLE IN CUBA,
Report at Tampa. Fla, Of a Defeat
for WeyIer.
LARGE FORCES ON EITHER SIDE.

0AhoI xVbO6O YIN 6xx166 6kO6s
Indications ut Havana That Maceo Has
Gained q yictory-Havana Papers Give
1t to Us Rough-say the Rebels Are
Treated Like Gentlemen,- and Intimate
That Uncle sam Is Spelling for . Thrash
Ing at spain's Hands.
Cincinnati, Dec. A special to The
CONGRATULATIONS from Tampa, Fla,
says: From passengers from Havana
last evening it is learned that rumors
are rife in Havana that a fight has Just
occurred between the vanguard of wey-
ler's army and some of Maceo's men,
with large forces on each side. No de-
tails are mentioned because. the passen-
gers say, the people in Havana are
more than usually reticent, since IL
Is learned that the Spanish army did
not come off best. 1t is believed there
fore that Maceo gained a victory. The
palace people seemed more than usual
ly vigilant and active yesterday. which
is significant. Two hundred sick and
wounded soldiers were brought into the
city hospitals yesterday from near
Mariel and San Cristobal. 1t is re-
ported in Havana that Weyler has lost
two railroad trains from dynamite ex-
plosions. including much needed army
supplies for his men, sent from Ha-
vana.
Will BE News i'm This Neck o. Woods.
Havana, Dec. 4.-The Daily Concrete
has the following editorial on the out
look for Cuban affairs and the atti-
tude of foreign governments towards
the question: La force prime le
droit" tforce overpowers right. said
Bismarck to Europe, which was heard
with establishment and to the scandal
of the German empire. Spain during
two years has treated the rebels and
their accomplices Ike gentlemen. We
have made sincere protests full o. dig
nifty to the United States against their
jingoes eliminating Spain and call
ing us bloody tigers, in spite of the
noble conduct of the army toward the
Cubans. These proceedings and the
language of the press are reflections
upon the Yankees"
Talks About Applying FORCE.
The Concrete protests against the
insulting attitude of the American
press and its favorable attitude to-
wards the insurgents and says: Spain
has gained no consideration through
diplomacy. and must in future depend
upon material force to command respect
for its rights. Time has shown this and
teaches us to to sharpen our nails for
the fray" The paper criticises the in
consistency and vacilIating policy of
the New York newspapers and of the
London Times and says: Americans
are totally incapable of good faith and
it is time the Spaniards were convinced
that only the army and navy will avail
that a restored Spanish feet anbakhn
to settle the question. We suggest that
a restored Spanish fleet and 800, 900
men will be able to go anywhere"
Says Senator Morgan Is Relenting.
The Concrete notes that Senator
Morgan is already relenting in his pre-
vious desire to gobble Cuba. and is now
talking conservatively on the question.
An editorial in La Lucia deals with
the eXhortation by the London and
Paris press to Spain to deliver a decis-
i've blow against the insurgents. be-
cause the settlement of the Venezuelan
question and England's recognition of
the Monroe doctrine makes mediation
in Cuba from Washington probable as
an indirect result of the Monroe doc
trine.
Venezuelan Question Not n Precedent.
La Lucia says of this view: The
English press has lost it's serenity and
good sense and its boosted impartiali-
ty. Other questions such as the limits
of Guiana have no affinity with the dis
cussion of the limits of Spain's possess
sions in Cuba. Since it's discovery no.
body has disputed SPANS right Of
possession" With reference to the argu-
ment of the English press that the ele-
walton of Mckinley to the presidency
will give an impetus to the Monroe
doctrine. La Lucha expresses the be-
lief that the new president will not al
| low his ideals and passions to supplant
his duties as a statesman.
Rebels Attack a Havana Suburb,
Further details of the attack on
Guanabacoa. on the outskirts of Ha-
vana, state that the attack began at
1920 on Tuesday night. The rebels. af-
ter an hours skirmish, broke through
the Spanish picket lines, entered the
city and set fire to a large number of
houses in Aguacate and Palo Blanco
streets. Only one store of importance
was burned, it is said, although the in
surgents made many efforts to set fire
to other stores.
Mr.. DOsELL is VERY FACETIOUS.