Evening journal., 1896-01-04
MAXINO GOMEZ.

the insurgent army whittier 1t listoth
from ono end OF the island to the othsH
has served immensely 60 Increase the bold
ness of their sympathizers, who have hith-
erto remained passive noncomhntants. a
these were TO soe the occasion for suo-
oossful stroke, there Is no doubt that great
nccossions TO the insurqont forces would
be gained throughout the provinces Of
Havana and Pinar del Rio and there nHe
grave fears that an uprising would OCCUR
IN the city of Havana itself.
oomez's skill and Generalship.
It is not by any means to bo considered
that tho apparent lack Of hope of checking
the new advance shown by the authorities
has led 90 the cessation of efforts TO pro-
vent the advance. The spanish foroeB
swarm on all sides OF the advancing in
surgonts. From time TO time they nre
mnssed at what is considered a salons
point in the advance with tho hope of
bringing about a pitched battle, which
the Spanish military leaders feel certain
would result In QUITTING the insurgents to
pieces But the unrivnled skin and gem
eralship shown by Gomez and his lieuten-
ants in avoiding such traps and In carry
ing his amy past the most olnbornteiy
planned barriers OF the Spanish have
served Co greatly discourage the leaders on
that side Their elusive antagonist seems
never to be within their reach, and yea
always infiotlng the most serious damage
upon their territory.
IL Is believed that large force Of The
insurgents is still trying TO force Its way
into Havana by way Of tho mountains
about El ..--anamon, which Is on tho boz
der ia the celthern part of the province
- al
Nicolas. A small force of Insurgents, 40
cording TO official reports has already ap-
peared IN the district Of san Nicolas,
which adjoins Guines on tho east.
Rapidly Approaching Havana.
The insurgents are apparently making
a swift advance directly upon Havana,
The advance guard Of their cavalry I'M
der General Laoret was, at latest accounts,
at Tapaste, which is only.ls miles frem
Guanabacoa, the latter being but a suburb
Of Havana, five miles from the city, where
bathing beach frequentod by the citizene
of Havana is located
General Lacret. with his cavalry, seems
TO be but scouting party in advance Of
the insurgent wing commanded by Quin-
tin Bandera. Word received from La Cat
alma, town between Guines and BainoA
and about dozen miles from Tapaste, TO
ports that there are indications OF a rapid
advance movement In considerable foroe
on the part of the wing OF the insurgent
army under Bandera.
Nothing definite Is known as 60 the
strength in numbers Of Bandera'a com
mand, but the news Of the near approach
Of the insurgents has caused the utm0se
anxiety among the authorities, and every
preparation is being hastily made to have
the citys dofenses in readiness to repol
an attack or to prevent damage being
done within tho city, eEen II the projected
movement should prove to bo nothing bus
a dashing cavalry raid. The railroad sta
tion at Xenes near Bainoa, has beon
burned by the insurgents.
So far as is known Gomez Is still opeS-
ating in the region about Guines with
large force Of insurgents, and nothing has
been learned Of the movements OF that
wing of the insurgont army that indicates
an immediate movement to co-opernio
with Bandera in a direct attack upon Hn-
vana.
1t is believed that Bandera is simply
planning demonstration against Havana
to divert attention from Gomez and the
southern wing while that general COM
plotes the work Of destruction Ia the cane
fields of Havana province or makes dash
into Pinar del Rio.
Nevertheless, The unparalleled boldnesa
and intrepidity Of the movements OF the
insurgents creates something like panic
here and the conviction Is universal that
unless ample force is displayed to show
the insurgents that they would court de-
struction by an attack upon Havana there
is danger that they will make destruo-
tive dash into Havana itself The progress
Of this last movement is therefore await
ed with keen apprehension.
Charles A Fell. formerly with d. P.
Smytn is prepared TO do All kinds Of hns
watch. clock aud jewelry rspairing at