Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-09
Wall of Spanish Bayonets Do Not Stop the
Enemy.
PASS THE LINE WITH GREAT EASE
What Americans Must Expect In
Havana in the Event the United
states Recognizes Gomez
md His Men.

| nnd His Men.
Copyright, 1896, by Press Publishing company.)
| HAVANA, Fb 3.-v's Tampa Fla-Spc-
cial Telegram to the New York word)-
Accounts Of the capture by the insurgents
of a train loaded with arms, ammunition and
other war supplies near Porteo Rotundo on
Saturday evening have been cabled to the
United States but they have been meager
and misleading, because the Spanish press
censor is drawing the lines closer than
ever, and has cut out all details Of this
| important affair whenever an attempt was
made by an American correspondent to send
| the news to his paper. The Spanish ac-
counts of this affair differ but slightly from
| those of the Cubans. The following version
| is furnished me from excellent authority:
All day Saturday freight train composed
| Of thirty cars had been at st. Felipe, one
| of the. strongholds along the wall of men
| which the Spanish generals have established
between Havana and Batabano General
| Marin was at a small station near Guierres,
east of st. Felipe, while General Aldeco,
with a column of infantry, was at st.
Felipe. The train was in two sections with
forty-two infantrymen in an armored car,
the first section to act as guard. Major
Lopez, the commandant of the train, took
his station on the locomotive pulling the
first section, while Lieutenant Manuel
Beigcado was in charge Of the armored
! car. The train left st. Felipe at p. m.
and started SOUTH 1t had gone only five
or six miles when it was derailed by the
track having been torn up At the same
instant a volley of musketry greeted the
guards in the armored car.
SURPRISED THE SPANIARDS.
Up to this time no insurgents had been
noticed about the place. The band, said
to be about 500 strong, and under the COM
mand of Diaz, had been in hiding in the
heavy canefelds which stretch along either
side Of the, road. A few moments later
there was second volley, and before the
Spanish troops had time to fire single shot
the rebels sprang out of the canefelds and
with "Viva Cuba libre" fired third vol
ley. The commander Of the train guard fell
at the first fire. The handful of Spanish
infantry now opened fire. and for a mo-
ment the rebels were dazed. They had not
noticed the armored car. The Spanish
guards fought bravely and held their po-
sition. A detachment of Spanish infantry
advanced from st. Felipe and drove the
rebels away.
/ am told that the rebels succeeded in
lootng thirteen cars
Ever since the receipt Of the news of the
action of the United States senate committee
on foreign affairs in reference to granting
rbellgerent rights to the insurgents, there
has been talk among Americans and others
here as to the necessity of sending
United States war ship to Havana Amer
leans and others, principally Cubans, have
come to me and asked me to lay the
matter before the American people and as
sure them that soon as the United States
shall grant recognition to Cubans the life
of an American in Havana would not be
worth anything.
believe this is exaggerated. have
talked with some Of the most prominent
American business men here on the sub
ject and they are sure that they see no
necessity for a United States war ship here.
So far as Havana is concerned, everything 10
perfectly quiet, and 1t is hard to realize that
within fifteen miles of the city there has
recently been SO lively fighting.
GROWING TIRED OF THE WAR.
HAVANA, Feb. 5.-(via Tampa, Fla, Feb.
S.)-(Speclal Telegram to the New York
World.)-In a recent conversation with an
American, who has especial business interests
with all classes of both Spanish and Cuban
citizens. he quoted to me the view OF .
prominent Spanish business man about al
follows:
I'VE Span!ards are for Spain, of course.
and will do all in our power as Spanish sub
jects to sustain our government in Cuba; but
If we are to have revolution after revolution
Cuba shall be ruined. even If we win from
time to time, for Cuba must pay the bill
and Of course our property has to bear the
burden. Real estate now has fallen in value
fully go per cent. The fact Is, we must have
settled, stable, equitable government.
| sometimes doubt whether our Spanish ad-
ministration can ever accomplish this, owing
to the conditions which have grown up. There
is too much to be undone and then to be
newly done and maintained for 1t to be
accomplished. l fear. through our distrusted
agency.
"Rather than have these ever-recurrinK
revolutions We would be satisfied with an
nexation to the United States. 1t has come
right down to this We must have a solid,
permanent government here, or general ruin
will follow"
The above seems to be the reluctant con-
victions of the more thoughtful and thrifty
Spanish element. The negro, who is in
telllgent and strong in Cuba, objects to an
nexation because he has been the fighter
of this war and he anticipates some reward
for his race Maceo, who is a negro, Is said
to hold these views. and looks forward to
black republic. The Cuban is willing to do
anything and accept anything provided 1t
rid him OF Spain There is an inborn and
unceasng resentment in the Cuban heart
against the rule Of Spain. and 1t will be
perpetuated from generation to generation
whether freedom or famine rules Cuba.
ROEDER.