Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-12
THEY JOIN FORCES.
Gomez, HaceO, and Other Cuban Lead
eFS Concentrate Their Armies.
SPANISH UNEASY AT COMBINATION,
1t May Mean a Decisive Blow on the
Part of the Insurgents-Amerf-
cans I'm Prison-Cuba Laid
Waste.

EABANA. March II, via KEY WEST.
March 1l.-Maceo Gomez. Lecret,
and other Cuban leaders have united
just east OF the Habana line, near Nueva
Paz. 1t is supposed their intention is
to return to this province. The troops
have recently made several combinations
fo- the purpose of crushing Maceo and
Gomez separately, but all OF them failed.
One is blamed upon telegraph operators
failure to deliver messages. This Is said
to be an excuse, the charge against ope-
rators not being proven.
There is considerable uneasiness in off,
cial circles in regard to the concentration
of the rebel forces. Taken in connec-
ton with rumors that the main portion
of Collaseo's expedition, with ammuni-
ten, and also that Calixto Garcia and
twenty others. have just landed, 1t may
mean that the rebels want to be pre-
pared to strike an effective blow. The
news of the first action by Congress has
alre ady reached the rebel camps. The
union Of forces, aggregating 1900 men,
may be the result.
During the past ten days the cane has
and grinding is impossible.
All the encounters with Gomez and
Maceo were nothing but outpost fights.
and the losses were trifilng on both sides.
A report has reached here that General
Pardo has been defeated near Caibarin,
but IL is impossible to obtain details.
The encounter is not mentioned In official
reports.
Ii Is now learned that the attack upon
MT ,,i. n.fn NJ
ment victory, resulted In the rebels cap
turing the town, and using cannon In the
bombardment. The insurgents In this
province also have several field-guns, sup
posed to have been taken from Spanish
troops.
Domingo Betarte, owner OF the Oyalita
estate has filed claim with the French
Consul for the destruction OF property by
Spanish troops, and also for insult to the
French flag, Manager Duarte being shot
while raising the flag. The Consul mas
cabled the details to Paris.
Refugees from interior districts con-
tinue to arrive. They report great desti-
tuition In ali districts. The operations OF
both armies have impoverished the coun-
try. The stoppage of cutting and grind
ing cane and of shipment OF other crops
ia reducing the peaceful inhabitants to q
deplorable condition.
The government proclamation declaring
property of absentees liable to confisca-
ton Is denounced.
Reports of excuses committed Dy
Spanish troops reach here daily. Making
allowance for Cuban exaggeration, propa-
bly, some truth remains. NO one mas peen
vet punished for the Guatao horror. Inc
fifteen peaceable citizens taken from their
in. In
There rs one American among them, and
nearly a dozen other American ci,lAenS
lane,,ish in Spanish dungeons, with no
nroenect of an early trial and release,
although. In most cases, there is no evil
dence of guilt.
(Signed oA-Afh
DEFEAT OF REBELS.
uApANA March 11.-Bands OF insur-
GENTS under the leaders Olivia and Her
nandez. are reported to have had an en-
gaeement. which lasted five hours, with
Spanish troops at Monteguelo. near Man
tua. In the western province. The battle
resulted In the defeat Of the rebels. Inc
government troops are said to have had
five wounded, while the rebels lost SIX
teen killed. The town of Monteguelo was
completely destroyed by fire started py
the insurgents.
The towns Of Macagua. In the pro-
vince OF Matanzas. and Pilotas In the
western province; were attacked also.
and partially burned.
The American citizen Walter Grant Dy-
CART, regarding whose arrest and imprf-
sonment United States Consul-Generai
Williams requested the authorities TO
make a report. has been confined In the
jaIl at Guinez for about three weeks. He
is accused Of being "Ei Inglesito," one OF
the insurgent leaders.