The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-01-16
THE INSURGENTS REPULSED
Ia an Attempt to Capture the City of
Beiucal
But There Is Growing Distress Caused by
Damage Inflicted Property, and
Business Is Parayzed


Associated Press Special Wire.
MADRID, Jan.l 5.-Captain-G General Cam
pos has asked tor cavalry reinforcements
to be sent to Cuba and it is officially re-
ported that the situation there is regarded
as being of the most critical sort.
RUMoRED NEGOTIATIONS
HAVANA, Jan. 15.-The air is full of
rumors regarding negotiations going on be-
tween the captain-generel and the in
surgeht leaders, but the general opinion is
that even if they are taking place there
will be no result from them. 1t is reported
that while Maceo was moving along the
northern coast of Pinar del Rio he re-
ceived considerable additions to his supply
of arms and ammunition.
A schooner loaded with arms is said to
have awaited the insurgents and other such
consignments are said to have been re-
ceived at various parts of the coasts. This
is denied by the Spanish authorities, who
say the coast is thoroughly patrolled by the
Spanish navy.
The cause of heavy artillery firing heard
yesterday in the vicinity of Bejucal, south
of this city and about half way between
Havana and Batabano, remained mys-
terry until about noon today. 1t appears
that the insurgents under Gomez were
twice repulsed in attempting to capture the
city.
1t is said the principal object of Gomez
attack upon Bejucal and other places south
OF this city is to create a diversion under
which his lieutenant, General Antonio Ma
Geo, may retire from the province of Pinar
del Rio.
Ferther news from Gomez was received
this evening from San Antonio de los Ba-
nos, to the westward of Salud, and in a
southwesterly direction from Bejucal,
where he was repulsed yesterday. Moving
apparently towards La Ceicaba, Gomez
has burned the railroad station at Rebor-
ucal, west of San Antonio de los Banos.
and when last heard from was moving so
rapidly that it is not thought the troops
under General Linares will be able to
catch him. From the direction Gomez is
taking he may contemplate an attack upon
Guananajay.
In the province of Matanzas the insur-
gents are again becoming active in antici-
patton of a coming second, or eastern,
army of the insurgents under Generals
Rabi and Jose Maceo. Small bands are
reported to be on the move in the vicinity
of Canasi, Bolondron and Jovellanos,
which is seriously interfering with the plans
of the Spanish commanders to collect a
considerable force of troops in the district
of Colon with the view of trying to bring
about pitched battle with the Insurgents
advancing through the province of Santa
Clara.
The distress in the province of Matanzas
and other places devastated by the insur-
gents is very great, and the local author
tiles in the various districts have been
granted permission to collect funds by
public subscription for the relief of the
sufferers. In addition, all the soldiers and
all the employees of the different branches
of the government have agreed to give one
days pay each month toward the funds be-
ing collected.
The price of provisions is rising very
rapidly and the expense of living is fully
90 per cent more than month ago. At
The rate things are going, though the Span
'sh authorities are still hopeful of driving
the insurgents eastward and westward of
Havana, the city of Havana will be the
most expensive living place in the world.
Ii this is the case with the insurgent force
now in this vicinity. it may be judged
that matters will be worse if the Spanish
commanders are unable to sheck the adj
vance westward of the second Cuban army.
Business is suffering terribly on all sides,
and the mercantile community is heartily
tired of the instruction and everything
connected with it.
Still another report of an encounter with
Maxine Gomez at point near Sebaracal
has been received. This time it was GEN
eral Pratt, who reports he had another en-
Ragement with Gomez and that he has also
put the Cuban forces to fight. No details
OF the engagement are given, nor is any,
thing stated as to the amount of the losses
inflicted, but it is said Gomez is proceeding
westward and that he goes to relieve Maceo
and to reinforce him. The Spanish authori-
ties claim that they had pressed Gomez
hard for two days and that they have sue
ceeded in doing what they sought in driv-
ing him back into the heart of Pinar del
lilo province. They say that the combined
forces of Gomez and Maceo are now in a
seriously compromised position and they
do not fail to disseminate the impression
of their confidence that they have at last
got the insurgents at a disadvantage, and
will be able to prevent their escape from
Pinar del Rio.
Manitoba Election
ST. PAUL, Mimi, Jan. l5.-A Pioneer