The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-07
eOMEz'S GREAT eENERALSHIP.
wEYLER AS EASILY OUTWITTED
AS CAMPOS.


Iustrated in His Recent Movement
of His Troops East From Havana
Province to the Line of Santa Clara
and Then Back to the Center of
Havana Province.
Havana, March 4. via Tampa, Fla.
March 6.-Maximo Gomez, in the recent
movement of the main body of insurgents
east from Havana province across Matan-
zas to the line of Santa Clara, and then
hack to the center of Havana province
again. displayed once more the genius
which has made his military operations
remarkable.
Gen. Weyler, with more troops, better
organization, more thorough preparation
for transportation and largely augment
ed cavalry over what Martinez Campos
had. has been out-generaled by the insur-
gent chief Gen. Weyler's first failure was
when Maceo was allowed to enter Havana
province from Pinar del Rio, and effect
a junction with Gomez in spite of the wall
Of men across the island. Then ali the
available troops were sent out to strength
en- the columns which were closing on the
two resel leaders, within twenty miles of
this city.
The official reports had the two large
rebel columns surrounded by three col
umns of Spain's best troops, with cav
airy, infantry and artillery. The gov
ernment forces extended their lines in
the shape of a triangle, and for two days
a report of a decisive engagement was
awaited with interest. AS no correspond
ents are now permitted to accompany
the troops, just what occurred is not
clear. From all 1 can learn, l believe
-. 4 a.. e-s,
gle back, while Maceo pushed back the
other, and the insurgents passed out OF
The fight7ng that occurred was not Sc
rious for with about 10000 on the insur-
gent side, and double the number of Span
lsh troops, the losses all told were less
than 100. When it was learned that the
rebels had gone east into Matanzas, the
troops followed, Other columns were
sent by rail to head them off on the line
into Santa Clara. There were no engage
ments of Importance there, for when the
troops had all been started east, is was
learned that both rebel leaders were go
ing west. They had sent their wounded
over the line into Santa Clara and were
unincumbered for future operations.
Gomez countermarched to the middle of
MatanZas province where he stopped to see
that the estates should not obey Gen.
Weyler's order to grind cane. Those
found to be preparing, had their cane
burned.
Maceo returned to Havana province. He
brought with him his own column of about
5000 men and as many more belonging
to the column from the orient, which
have been moving west for about a month.
A THESE forces, added to those which re-
mained in this province, make the Situa-
tion more serious here than at any time
The outpoStS of the enemy are within
ten miles of the city.
The government holds nearly every rail-
road town, although most of these towns
nave been entered and partially burned
down. only by the use of forts are the
troops able to hold these towns, and
while the garrison is shut up behind bar
ricades, exchanging shots with portion
Of the invading party other detachments
search stores for arms ammunition and
other supplies and set fire to the build
ings owned by Spaniards. AS a rule the
property Of Cubans who sympathize with
the rebellion, also that of Americans, is
spared, though in some instances, whole
towns are given to the torch.
outside of the fortified towns in this
province are many small towns which
have been occupied by local bands of in
surgents for weeks. The Cubans melt
away upon the approach of large column
Of Spanish troops, but reappear as the
Spanish leave.
Railroads are operated in this manner.
AS telegraph wires are down, most of the
time and there is no telling what is ahead
OF the train, an exploring engine with one
armored car advances cautiously along the
line. The engineer watches for missing
rails and sawed ties, while the troops
watch for insurgents The rate of progress
is about five miles an hour. The train fol-
lows closely also with one or more ar
mored cars, and a strong guard. When
rails are found missing others are laid, un-
less there is an attack. The train to Bata-
bano is sent out two days a week. AL
lhough 1t runs along the strong line
across the island and has block houses
within rifle range of each other, the train
seldom reaches it's destination in one day.
On the return trip. rails which have Just
been laid are missing and others have to
be substituted. The western railway into
Plnar del Rio has not run further than
ten miles from this city in six weeks. Nc
trains have gone to Guanajay in a month.
trains to 4Aatanzas seldom get through.
Nearly every station on the line has been
destroyed
In the other provinces affairs are about
the same. The operations of the insur-
gents are directed against railroads which
are employed for moving government
troops and against planters whose crops
furnish Spain with the revenues of war
incidentally, much other property is de-
stroyed, and people are rendered homeless
and destitute. Prowling bands of robbers
ard incendiaries follow the movements OF
Doth columns of both armies and commit
outrages The insurgents hang these men |
and the Spaniards shoot them whenever
tney are caught and convicted. Every war
mas It's horrors, and TINS one is not eN-
empt. The blame of the depredauons
committed does not all belong to the Gu
Da4 side, however Spanish columns columns
nave been accused of wanton destruction
IN many places.
The prospect of any kind of a sugar
crop is less encouraging than ever. Go |
mez has apparently the power to prevent |
grinding, except on estates very close to |
cities and where large forces are retained
Tor defense. The outlook for gathering |
and sending off the tobacco crop is also |
not encouraging.
Gomez, in talk with an American |
planter recently, said: Il divide the war
INTO three periods that of invasion, that |
oi occupation and that of expulsion. We |
are now in the second period
he alluded to his march westward and |
70 that of Maceo through Pinar del Rio |
as the invasion. His people certainly oc- |
Clpy large portion of the territory of |
eupa now, and as to how he proposes |
" eXpel the Spaniards my informant was
silent. ]. Frank Clarke
CAPTAIN General Weyler has issued a
sHcular to the various military COM
manders instructinG them to arrest no
more civilians for deportation, except |
upon indisputable proof of their connec- |
uon with the Instruction All officers
making arrests based upon evidence fur |
--..el bN interested narfies will be held |