The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-01-27
MA0EO AND GOMEZ SEPARATED.
Brigandage of the Cubans-Neither
Courage Nor Material for Battles.
(Gnorja1 Cnrraspaudent nf fbn Tinted

Especial Correspondent OF the United
Press.)
HAVANA. Jan. 22.-via Tampa, Fla,
Jan. 27. 1Sse-Gomez and Maceo are now
widely separated. The former is operat-
ing in this province. and when last heard
from was about twenty-five miles south
east of this city He is awaiting the ar
rival of Jose Maceo and the forces from
the Eastern district. They may join
him before this is printed or within a day
tr two after. Antonio Maceo did not
turn back to the eastward after reaching
the Province of Pinar del Rio and meeting
Delgado the ex-bandit who led the first
He pushed on along the south coast, des-
t,roying railroad and telegraph COM
munication. but doing little. injury to crops
bans say that all towns i'll the province
hosted the white flags at once. and that
explains Why 4 no towns We're nd Ma3anaea parnea
provinces many were laid in ashes. The
city of Pinar del Rio. capital of the
risoned by Spanish troops under. General
Duque and no news of its having been
ammunition is obtained
Maceo has had lWo engagements be-
tween the city and Coloms, its seaport
One was on the 18th, when he surround
ed forty soldiers and twenty guerrillos,
under Colonel Sanchez, who were on their
way to the coast to meet the Governor
of the province, who was returning from
Havana and TO escort him across coun-
try to the Capital. Maceo had 1900 men,
armed and mounted. The little band un-
der Sanchez would probably have been
wiped out but for the opportune arri-
val of about 300 regulars, who heard
the firing and went to their aid. The new
arrivals attacked Maceo's men from the
rear and rescued what was left of the
sixty, AS aid the wires are down to Pinar
del Rio no detailed account of the fight
and the losses is to be had, except that
given out by the authorities, which says
that Maceo's band was defeated with
was attacked at A. M, while in camp
not more than five miles from where
the first fight occurred The troops used
dispersed the rebels, and won a great vic
tory AS the columns of Gomez and Ma
Geo have been dispersed hundred times
since they began their march from the
Eastern District, through the Provinces
Of Camaguey, Santa Clara, Matanzas, to
the western end of the island, it is be-
The truth of the matter is that the in
surgents have not the arms and arnanu-
milton even if they have the nerve to
fight pitched battles, and no real battles
are fought. The Spanish officers in the
field, who, after days of marching their
weary troops, succeeded in coming up
small detachment of the enemy and ex-
changing few shots, report a battle and
glorify the bravery and heroism of their
men. The number of their enemies is
exaggerated and the loss ON the Cuban
side overstated, while that on the Span
ish side is reduced to almost nothing.
There is some talk here of Maceo join
ing the united forces of Gomez, near
San Felipe. south of Havana, andS fight
ing. big battle near here. Insurgents
have gained many recruits and captured
considerable arms and ammunition since
invading this province, but Gomez does
not want to eXpend ammunition in a
prolonged battle. He and Maceo both
are said to be anxious for fight, and
there is no question that they have up
wards of 25,000 men, but it is not be-
lieved the fight will come until more
ammunition is obtaied.