Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-07

took refuge in the bush. Only three houses
in the place We're left standing.
In the zone Of Quivican, Duran and San
Felipe the rebels have destroyed the sugar
estates Salvador, Julia, San Augustin, Mer-
cedita, Santa Teresa, Mora and Mi Rosa.
A number of families fleeing from the
rebels at Melena have arrived at Jesus del
Monte, suburb of Havana.
The government column under the COM
mand of Gen. SuareZ Valdez arrived Sum-
day evening at Regala, a small town situ-
ated across the bay from Havana.
Surrounding the Insurgents.
The Spanish troops which have been or
dered to proceed from the province OF
Santa Clara in order to join the forces in
the provinces of Havana and Pinar del
Rio, are arriving at Batabano, the southern
terminus Of the Havana and Batabano
railroad, whence they can be quickly trans
ferred to Havana or points in Pinar del
Rio.
The insurgents still avoid fighting a de-
cisive battle with the government troops.
always retiring after exchanging a few
shots with the soldiers. AS these are the
tactics always followed by them, it has
been thought advisable to surround them
and then gradually to close the lines on
them, driving them to a stand in the
center.
Orders to this effect have been issued,
and the troops are reported to be rapidly
surrounding the insurgents.
A train from Matanzas, which managed
to get through to Havana Sunday night,
brought two generals and several thou
sand troops to reinforce the troops In
Havana and strengthen Campos' new
strategic line between that city and Bata-
bano, broken by Gomez and CollaZo Sum-
day as they marched toward Pinar del Rio
BY strengthening this line, Campos now
hopes to pen Gomez in the west, break his
oo,,o,,o On
reinforcements and supplies eventually de-
feat him.
Indeed campos, according to his subordi-
mates, is just beginning to show his hand
Gomez however, unconscious to all ap-
pearances Of the ambuScade prepared for
him, continues to advance further west,
moving along the line of the British rail-
way, connecting Havana with Pinar del
Rio.
La Lucia, the Havana newspaper, re-
ports that the rebels have burned the Cab
anas lighthouse, near Bahia Honda, in the
province Of Pinar del Rio The citizens Of
Guanabacoa are preparing for the defense
of the town and ambuscades are being
placed in the outskirts of Havana.
The rails of the Havana and Batabano
line have been torn up beyond San Felipe
Several villages along the line have been
burned and all communication with Bata-
bano cut off.
Gen. Corners Intentions.
When Mr.. Thomas Estrada Palma was
told last right in New York of the report
that Havana might be in the hands of the
insurgents, he said: 1T is delightful, but
not surprising. I have known for some
weeks that 1t was the intention Of General
Gomez to mass his forces on Havana, and
I am sure that he has done SO and won.
Though have heard nothing official in re-
gard to the patriot occupation Of Havana,
1 am sure that the report is true.
General Gomez has long entertained the
plan of shutting Off the water supply of
Havana, and then attacking the city. He
has probably destroyed the reservoir at
Vento and then charged upon the town.
When Vento is destroyed, the Spaniards in
Havana will be without any water supply
and complete surrender is only question
of very short time"
Messrs. Augmonte and Trujillox. who are
both identified with the American Cuban
Revolutionists Society in New York. were of
the opinion that the patriots were in control
of Havana, and they both believe that
General Gomez had a strong force Of allies
within the walls of the city.
Senior Balsamo, the Spanish consul, said
he believed the whole story to be false.
"How could a gang of half-dressed row.
dies overcome the great army of Spain?'
he asked. at is nonsense. Havana is
strong and will never be captured by the
rebels, and Gen. Campos is too old soldier
| to allow his water supply to be cut off.
Even If the insurgents should gain tenn
porary foothold in Havana, the Spanish
| troops would be safe in Castle Moro until
the loyal gunboats put the rebel forces to
flight
Gen. Cnmpos Explains.
| special to the New York World from
Havana says: Gen. Campos received your
correspondent today in his private office.