The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-05-14
PROGRESS OF THE CUBAN WAR.
ORDERED TO DESTROY ALL.
Corners Instructions Are Carried out Al
most Under weylcr's Nose.

A message Iom Havana via Key West.
Fla. dated May 9Th, contains the follow
ing:
"To Colonel jose Aguirre, Cuban li0erating
army. sono Of Guanabaco:
You will proceed Immediately to destroy
all towns and villages within Your jurisdic-
tiun. Leave nothing undestrOyed. Do not
fail TO commence executing this order in
siantly upon receipt Of this authority
GOMEZ"
This order was received at the camp Of
Los Palo April 20, and Agurre Immediately
gave notice TO the people of the towns In his
jurisdiction that the order would be carried
out to the letter.
Guanabaco is not yet destroyed. Aguirre
being too busy In other directions, but its
turn is expected any day. II means that
Gomez wants a clear path across the pro-
vince OF Havana for his westward march.
IL there IL no town or village To guard
there will be no soldiers 10 oppose his pro-
gress. His men will have rest from lighting
and Will be reinforced 10y troops OF insur-
gents who are now roaming aimlessly over
the province
Gomez wants a large force under his ac-
tive command. He now has In the neighhor-
hood Of 25.O0O men, and will pick up fully
10000 more before he reaches his objective
point. What Gomez proposes to do daily
becomes "a greater mystery. som" think he
IL going 10 the relief of Mnc"o. Others
think Macco is drawing the spanish troops
into the trOcha In order 10 give Gomez an
opportunity to attack the city Of Havana
Nearly every available spanish column Is
now at the trocha, and Havana city could
almost be- destroyed by the soldiers.
Never was there a better opportunity for
the insur. "nts to strike at the capital of
Cuba. II Gomez should appear in the out
skirts of Havana tonight the city would bo
an ca~y prey II his object Is to attack lia-
vanu, that will bee the mastcrstroke Of the
war. and II the city fell into his hands IL
would probably sound the death knel Of
Spanish rule In this island.
TWo-thirds Of the population Of Havana
hope that IL the cUmmander-in-chiofs in
tentiOn. Thousands OF Young men In the
city would rise up In arms against the Span
ish at the first sound Of the insurgents guns
In the outskirts OF Havana.
Whatever his object may be. he l. making
rapid time from the east Last night his
advance guard. under Suafan OancheZ. wa1
at Hama Bana on the border Ot Matan2as and
SANTA Cara provinces. The main army Is In
;he neighborhead Of Jubacao. In the Monte
70 mountains. II they continue westward as
rapidly "a they have been coming they
should bc In the middle Of Havana province
in 10 days time.
AT present Gomez's troops are engaged in
destroying fhllrOhlH, telegrhph lines anu
property IN this district. Last Sunday night
1000 insurgents advanced ~ close to Havana
city rs Punta Bravo. "a Gown Of 800 houses
and !, 200 situated three miles west of this
city.
Colonel Acosta, the leader Of the rebel
forces. divided his men into two groups One
division took care OF the horses outside Of the
city. while the other gave battle TO the SOL
dicrs. Two forts Of the town were taken
with ease, and 60 spanish soldiers were COM
PEELED to surrender. While the fight lasted n
child ran across the line Of fire and was kill
ed. After silencng the forts the insurgents
took possession Of the equipment OF the sol
dicrs.
The Cubans found the merchants had
closed their stores. and that the terrorstrick-
en inhabitants were hiding in all sorts of
Hlacos. "he rebels comnelled ~" torres to
N. an 'onilscat" caught
frous