The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-01-02
REPORTS FROM THE INTERIOR
OF CUBA INDICATE THEY
EXIST EVERYWHERE
STILL DOING DAMAGE IN MATANZAS
Although They Were Reported to Have
Retreated From That Province.
Demonstration at Havana
In Honor of CampOs.

Havana, Dec. 20.-In spite of the re-
ports received here yesterday that the
main body of the insurgents had retreat
! ed from the province of Matanzas and
were once more in Santa Clara, reports
continue to come in of damage done at
various points in Matanzas and Of
threatening movements of bodies of i'll
surgents. Whether these are wander
ing and isolated bands cannot be asccr-
tanned accurately. An engagement with
an insurgent band is also reported today
from the province of Pinar del Rio, the
westernmost on the island. Uneasiness
is also caused in Official circles by 10
ports that come from the province of San
tiago de Cuba. The report of Jose
Maceo's fight, which was received here
in October, seems to have been without
foundation, as there are renewed evil
dences of his activity in that province,
and the troops stationed there are finding
abundant opposition.
The Spanish authorities have reason to
suspect movement is contemplated in
the oriental province to bring about Il
junction of the insurgent bands there,
and troops are actively engaged in try
ing to prevent the coming together of
Jose Maceo and Rabbi, whose combined
forces would afford means for for
midable movement that would effect n
diversion and prevent the withdrawal of
Spanish troops to reinforce those acting
against Gomez, Antonio Maceo and Ban
dera in Matanzas and Santa Clara prov
inces. Nothing authentic is known of
the immediate whereabouts and dOings
of Gomez and his forces, who were said
to be threatening Ciehfugos. Nothing
has been heard from there today, al
though several skirmishcs are said to
have occurred in Santa Clara province,
with the result that Is insurgents were
killed and nine taken prisoners.
Tho insurgents are said to be in con-
siderable force in the neighborhood of
Cardenas and Cimarrones. The bands
of Panicho and Perez, who were said to
be rctreating, burned the station at
Murga and destroyed several houses at
La Gunillas. They also plundered the
stores ut Contreas.
The bands of LaCrete and Roloff were
last evening discovered to he moving in
the immediate vicinity of Cardenas, just
east of MatanZas, and the news created
Il great deal of excitement at that place,
as it was expected that an attempt was
about to be made to capture the town
in pursuance of the earnest desire of the
insurgents to bold seaport. The gar
rison was called to quarters in hot
haste and waited long in expectation of
an attack. while the volunteer forces of
the business of the place were also put
under arms, manifesting enthusiasm in
the service. The band of Robau was
reported to be moving upon Cimarrones.
The authorities here claim with jubila-
ton that the insurgents are powcrless
to effect the capture of an ytOwns or
sCapOrts.
The skirmish in Pinar del Rio oc-
Cured in the district of Gushajay, the
city of that name, capital of the dis
trict. being about 20 miles southwest of
Havana. A column of troops attacked
n band led by the famous insurgcnt BAN
dit leader Pcrico del Gado. who is said
to have been seriously wounded, one of
his men being killed and three taken
prisoners.
An expedition numbering IS men, led
by brother of the leader Maya Roder-
gucz. has landed Mt Estcro Juncio, prov
incc of Puerto Principe.
The plantations in Puerto Principe
have commenced grinding their cane.
The guerilla chief, Lolo BcnitCz, sur
prised a band of 20 in the district of
Manzanillo, province OF Santiago de
Cuba, among them being several insur-
gent leaders who were celebrating Christ
mas night. ard four of them were killed
and three taken prisoners.