The herald., 1896-04-20
An Insurgent Relief Expeditioa
Suffers Defeat
THE GOVERNMENT CERTAIN
That General Maceo's Forces viii SEQ
Be Overcome
An Official Anneuncsnsst That ssais Wle
Grant Desirable Political ana Alniss
istrativs Rsfsfms 10 Cuba
Associated Press Special wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
HAVANA, April 1s.-The Spanish
troops have had an engagement with
the numerous forces of the insurgents
attempt the relief Of Maceo and the
official reports show a severe reverneD
for the Cubans.
Lieut.-Col. Elota, with the battalion
of Luzon, engaged the insurgents near
Cienfuegos, in Santa Clara province.
The insurgent band was a numerous
one, and hot fighting speedily ensued.
The reports show that the Spaniards
took the insurgent position by brill
liant bayonet charge. The enemy LETT
on the field So killed and carried on
more than 200 wounded. The amount
of the Spanish loss is not stated In de-
tail, but it is reported that Captain
Laso, doctor, one lieutenant ana
eight guerillas were wounded.
The news from Pinar del Rio Is await
ish authorities and by the sympathiz-
ish authirities and by the sympathix.
ers with the insurgents. In spite OF
numerous instances in which they have
been disappointed. the government ex-
presses its complete confidence tnAe
now its operations against Maceo
are to be crowned with success. The
columns within, or west Of the military
line south from Mariel have been
largely reinforced and the military au-
thorities announce their intention to
force Maceo to fight or to come toward
the line. The line they consider I'm.
pregnable and they believe tney WaA
thus entrap Maceo.
Col. Aldea and the battalion OF VAL
encia have fought the insurgents unoeE
Lacrete and Colazzo at the great sea-
pas swamps, the insurgents having
12 killed and carrying away numerous
wounded. The insurgent leader. Juan
Suarcz. and an aid de camp OF Lacrete
were among the killed.
In both the engagements ABOVE re-
rorted several prisoners were captured
as we'll as arms and ammunition ana I'M
Uortant documents. The insurgents
have concentrated large forces IN the
district of Sancti Spiritus.
OFFICIAL NEGOTIATION.
LONDON, April 1s.-The Standards
correspondent at Madrid says: De-
spite persistent Official denials, both
from Washington and Madrid. 1t IL now
an open secret that both governments
have freely discussed their attitude to-
ward each other on the Cuban anair.
Spain is aware that the president wishes
to be conciliatory, but that he cannot
answer for the control of American
opinicn if the struggle In Cuba is pro-
longed to the injury Of American COM
uerce.
Spain, on the other hand, has inform
ed President Cleveland that she Is will
ling to conciliate the sympathies of SEN
sible Americans, but that she cannot
entertain a proposal for the indepen-
dence of Cuba, or even for suspen-
sion of hostiIities to negotiate with the
rebels, as public opinion would never
tolerate such a humiliation. Spain has
been silently preparing to execute a
Cuban home rule bill directly the Cuban
authorities regarded it advisable to do
so. No date has yet been fixed for this
however.
REFORMS PROMISED.
MADRID. April 19.-It is announced
that the royal speech to be delivered at
the opening of the new cortes will prom
Use political and administrative reforms
for Cuba and Porto Rico.