The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-09

Concerning His countrymen's Strug-
gle For Independence.
PLUMBER AND BURNING GO ON.
Rebels Creating Havoc In Prov
ince of Matanzas.

WARRINGTON, Jan. q. - Prcsidcnt
Thomas Estrada Palma Of the Cuban re-
volutlonary committee, in an interview
on tho prospects OF the insurgents, said:
by its own admission, the Spanish gov
srnment has sent l23,0O soldiers TO the
Island. Adding those who have volun-
teered and been conscripted, the number
Is easily 100000. That immense army has
been sent to territory not larger than tho
state of New York for the purpose OF put
ting down what has been represented TO
be the uprising Of few bands Uf bandits
and negroes. Ii was represented by tho
Spanish government that when the dry
season commenced the rebellion would be
easily crushed.
"What are the true facts? The dry
season has beon n constant advance OF the
revolutionists' forces from the west to the
east, and the very provinces whero the
great cancfelds arc situated have been en-
tered. There is only a month and "A half
OF the dry season left. The result, think,
Is obvious to all intelligent men who try
TO secure accurate knowledge OF the con-
ditions.
You ask mo why the Cubans are
devastating the canefelds. The Gu
ban governments Is u de facto govern
ment, and IL issued orders that no cane
should he ground, because 10 is from the
tax on sugar that Spain gets her sinews OF
war. Those orders were violated, and the
Cuban government showed its power to
punish those who violated them. 1t has
proved that beyond question, and it Is
proving it every day
'It is precisely the same principal that
was followed in the south by the United
States government during your War of
the Rebellion, when cotton was made
contraband OF war and seized and de-
stroyed, and your supreme court, in the
case of Mrs. Amanda Scott, declared that
her property was one Of the resources OF
the enemy, and It's destruction was In ao-
cord with the rules of war
THAT is precisely what we are doing in
the destruction OF the cane. We are at
lacking the resources OF the enemy. IL
the senate and house of Representatives
would equip themselves with proper
knowledge of the conditions in Cuba. the
Secognition OF our rights as belligerents
would, believe be quickly forthcoming.
We would show tho world then how
quickly we would take Habana and other
ports and assume full independence OF the
Spanish government"
Today's dispatches from Habana say that
IL n judged from the movements OF the
insurgent bands along the north coast in
Pinar del Rio that they are endeavoring
10 penetrate the rich district Of sugar
plantations about Cabas by way .s the
Banes and Guanajay roads.
Tho authorities again announce that
they have hopes OF bringing on "a general
ont fhat ha.
placed at strategic points that tho insur-
gents find their position badly compro-
missed, and will find 1t difficult to avoid
battle.
Along the line OF the railroad running
south from Habana, it Is learned that the
insurgents have destroyed 10 culyerts,
thus effectively cutting of communica-
tion for the time being
Word received from Natanzas shows
that the insurgents are still active in that
province. The bands led by Ciotjldc.
Garcia, Luis Chopalin and Raban at
tackled the town Of Recreo. which is south
east of Cardenas on tho railroad The
garrison OF tho fort repelled that attack,
bnt the insurgents returned to il, and the
companies of the marine battalion made q
defensive stand in the streets. Mean
WHILE the insurgents plundered and
robbed several stores. The troops finally
repelled the insurgents with loss; but.
while rctreating. they burned 80 Of the
huts within the limits Of the town.
Afterward, the Insurgents general.
Lacret. made demand for the surrender
of the town, threatening TO burn IL upon
Ats refusal 90 comply, but on n negative
being given him, the insurgent forces re-
tired.
Jose Maceo and Rabi are reported to be
moving in the Trinidad district of Santa
Clara, and an insurgent loss OF IL is re-
ported in the sxirmishes that have taken
place there.
In the Cardenas district the insurgents
also destroyed the station at Altamisal
and tore up the railroad MT Yaguararnas.
Spaniards claim that the insurgents are
falling into well-lald trap and IL is only
matter OF few days before the Spaniards
will have them surrounded and all retreat
cut off, when they will NOW then down
and soon end the war.
The insurgents in the engagements
with General Navarro and Suarez Valdes
lost 263 men, 1t is reported that one OF
the Nunez brothers, the well.known IN.
surgent leaders, was so seriously woundcd
that he subsequently died.
A column of Spanish troops. com.
manded by Major Sedano, has had skir-
msh in the Colon district with a band OF
insurgents commanded by Mendoza. The
insurgents left seven killed and three
wounded on the field
over 1000 Carloads For Export
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 9.--The largest ship
ypant of corn of tha war Ia pn,y p,s.i,n