Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-28
MADE WAR on THE DErENsELEss.
Spanish Troops Charged with Kill
ing NOncom In tants.

HAVANA, Feb 27.-Refugees from the
towns OF Punta Barara and Gualao, twelve
miles away, have arrived at Havana and say
that a reign OF terror exists in their locality
in consequence Of troops having massacred
peaccable citizens OF Cuayato, already briefly
announced by correspondents Of American
newspapers. The official government report
issued Sunday states that fight occurred
near Punta Barara on the previous day be-
tween troops sent from Mariana and the IN
surgent bands Of Villanueva and Acosta, re-
suting In glorious victory for the Spanish
arms, twenty insurgents having been Killed
and fifteen prisoners taken. Residents at
Cuayato have identified eighteen OF the dead
as peaceful citizens. Only two we're in
surgents, and the prisoners are nearly all
aad to be pee Jul. One Of them, named
Quintero claim, American citizenship.
Admiral Navarro has returned here from
cruise of inspection along the coast, during
which the gunboat Alerta bombarded the in
surgents at Cabanas and at Bahia Honda,
the two ports in the province of Pinar del
Rio which were recently attacked by the
enemy.
Jose Betancourt, the insurgent leader VINO
was recently captured by the Spanards, has
been tried by court-martal and sentenced to
death.
The insurgents have destroyed two railroad
culverts between Cabezas and Union de
Reyes in the province of Matanzas.
According to the official announcements,
Gomez and Maceo have been trying TO eHect
a junction, but have so far failed to do so,
on account of the close manner in which
they have been pressed by the troops when
ever they are located. Both of the insurgent
leaders, it is asserted, have been continually
compelled to retreat before the advance OF
the troops Maceo is said to be in the
vicinity Of the city of Matanzas, capital OF
the province of that name. 1t is said That he
has planned to move southward in the same
direction as Gomez, who is described as
being south of Jovellancs tBembas). be-
| tween Colon and Matanzas.
The newly arrived battalions, Murcia ano
| Luzon, have already reached Matanzas and
will be sent into the field against the in
| surgents Immediately. But the new troops
from Spain will operate in conjunction will
| battaons which have become seasoned tc
| the climate and familiar with the tricks OF
| the enemy, as it has been proved that this
| has beneficial effect upon young soldiers.
| The insurgents have plundered the vii
llges of Mantilla and Calvario, near TINS
| city, and their audacity is really astonishing
| in view of the strong force of troops in anc
about Havana. Major Corniero, at the heac
! of $50 infantrymen on the railway neal
Union de Reyes, province of Matanzas, has
| been engaged with a strong force of In
| surgents, said to have been commanded by
| Maceo, Rabi, Morejan, Toro Aguiera ant
| Miqelini. A large body of insurgents moving
! in the direction Of the plantation OF Sar
| Ignacio, while passing over creek neal
| Guanabana was fired upon by column o.
| Spanish troops which occupied commanding
| position on a hill surrounded by stone walls
| Although the insurgents were about 1,OO'
yards away, they suffered severe loss ant
| left on the field major and four men killed
| and forty-two wounded.