The record-union., 1896-03-31

HAVANA, March 30-Colonel Mon
ceda, accommodating in the vicinity of
Siguana, Santa Clara, has been engaged
with the insurgents who left eight
killed and thirteen wounded. The in
surgents attacked the village and port
of Sumidero, Province of Pinar Del Rio,
and were repulsed With a loss of eight
killed
The insurgents have made another at
tempt to pass through the military line
drawn across the Province of Pinar Del
Rio. The insurgent leader Aguirez,
after burning Pep Adonio, was engaged
near Banjo by General Milquizo. The
cavalry charged the insurgents and
killed twenty-five. The troops had two
officers and five soldiers wounded.
The rebel leader Enrique Aleman was
shot this morning in the Cabannes
fortress. Other executions will take
place this week.
Ramon Serpa, insurgent leader, has
been killed in an engagement near
Sancta Spiritus, Santa Clara.
THE BOMBARDING AT ESTRELLA
PLANTATION.
HAVANA, March 30-Here is the
story of the three brothers Farrar. all
American citizens and Joint owners of
the coffee plantation Estrella, in Ha-
Vana Province, near Alquizar 1t does
rot differ from the experiences of MANY
other owners of estates in the interior.
but as these men happen to be Ameri-
cans, and have made sworn statements.
protesting against the excesses COM
mitted by Spanish troops and demand
ing damages, the affair has become one
Of official record. The papers are now
in the hands of Consul-General Will
Jams. Miguel Farrar, one of the
brothers, has furnished me with a COPY
of his statement 1t is as follows:
"On Saturday, March Dist, the dwell
lng-house of the coffee plantation Es-
trella was the object of a wanton at
tack by the column of General Rernal
operating in that region The said
building received cannon shots of Crane
and canister, breaking the doors. one
window, several piazza columns and
greatly endangering the lives of the
families Of my brothers, both American
cltlZens- There were two small children
in the house
From information it appears that the
troops mentioned had sustained fire
from rebel band in Paz plantation a
quarter-league from EstrelIa. The reb
els having fled toward Buena Esperanza
plantation, the Government troons zd-
Vanced toward EstreIla, in quite an on
poslte direction from that taken bv the
rebels.
On arriving at the borders of Fs-
trella plantation the Spanish troops. he
gan firing cannon at the dwelIing-house
carrying OH wardrobes, all jewelry.
money and mems clothing. as we'll as
everything found in the workmen,s
dwelling, arresting at the same time
twelve of the occupants, whom thew
conducted to Alquizar as insurgents
1t should be observed that the cannon
were fired solely at the dwelling-housa
OF the owners, although there were
twenty other buildings on the planta-
ton, and the place was entirely clear of
insurgents.
In consideration Of all the above
and particularly on account of the dan
ger TO which his relations were exposed
ana also for the unjustiffable lootfng on
the part Of the regular troops in the
service or constituted Government
the undersigned most solemnly protest.
ana asks an immediate indemnity for
the damages suffered, which he yaIues
STONED
on the plantation and everything aban-
doned"
The Spanish official report of what
happened on the Estrella plantation is
as follows:
The column of General Bernal found
several bands of rebels, who, made
themselves strong in the house of fhe
plantation Estrella, where they were
beaten. and by artillery shots and cav
airy charges the enemy were dislodged
from their position. Twelve were cap
tured, beside arms ammunition and
instruments to destroy railroad tracks
1t is believed by the trails of blood seen
that the rebels had many dead and
wounded. All the prisoners will be sum-
marily court -martialed'
On "Wednesday the twenty prisoners
taken in the recent operations around
Artemeisa and Alquizar arrived in Ha-
vana- On being escorted through
Obispo street to the palace they were
followed by a mob who shouted 'sViva
Espanai" and Death to the rebelsi"
The men were kicked and beaten, and
one had his head cut open by a flying
missile. 1t was a pitiful sight to see
the poor wretches, with arms pinioned
and a mob at their heels shouting for
blood. By the time the prisoners
reached the palace the mob numbered
between 200 and 300 General Ahu-
media, the second commander. called on
the guards TO disperse ene mob.
General Weyler has had several in
terviews with Jose Maria Calves and
other leaders of the Autonomist party
He asked if it was true that the party
intended remaining away from the polls
in the coming election. Senior Calves
said no decision had yet been reached
General Weyler then said: IF you do
not take part in the elections it will be
because you are enemies of Spain, but
have not sufficient valor to go to the
field. / will guarantee your party three
Deputies, and in case you do not take
part in . elections 1 shall treat you
as l treat our enemies"
In all probability the Autonomists
will go TO the polls. The Reformists
still say they will not take part in the
elections.
During the past week the principal
war news has been the destruction of
the camps, hospitals and strongholds
Of the insurgents in the Siguanca VAL
ley, near Cienaga, and at Los Palos.