The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-02

New York. Nov. IA dispatch TO the
Herald from Key West, Fla. says: A
prominent Cuban resident Of this city said
20 your correspondent that without as
Stunning the role Of prophet. the Herald
could positively announce that the city
OF Havana would Be besieged by Maxine
Comes within the next sixty days To
that end. he said. Conner and al the rebel
forces were now marching westward to-
ward the capital This Cuban Ii in direct
Communication with the Insurgents. He
Also stated that there WAS no connrma-
ton of . rumor circulated by Cuban pas
sengers who arrived here last night that
towns IN the immediate outskirts Of the
city Of Havana had been already be-
sieged by the insurgents.
While the Havana papers. many cS
which were received by steamer last
night, continue to maintain silence n re-
gard to Maceo's movements since his bril-
liant attack on ArtemesA ten days ago. Sc
IL stiu insisted by active partisans here
in direct communication with the leaders
in cub. that he unquestionably crossed
the military trocha at that point during
che bombardment OF The town. and with
small following has siRce marched
through the entire province OF Havana.
and Is now at Colon. . central point IN
Matanzas province. II Is also alleged that
his mission there Is to concentrate and
assume command OF forces OF Ricardo.
Trujillo, Rotas and other minor rebel
leaders who have been operating in that
vicinity with between 400 and $3.50
well-armed men. Notwithstanding the
persistence OF this report, the other Gu
bans here. apparently equally weC-in-
formed, expressed doubt that Maceo has
left the province OF Pinar del Rio. which
movement. they say, would imply defeat
by the superior forces sent against him
by Capt Gen. weyler. The explanation.
however, is offered that an abandonment
Of the territory has been made. as Gen.
Ruis Riberta, veteran OF the last war. has
been left in command OF the insurgent
forces on the Pinar del Rio, while Afsceo
has gone eastward In obedience to orders
from his superior to operate with Maxine
Gomez in the latter's new campaign OF in
vasion.
Gomez has not been heard from since his
attack on the town Of Cascorro.
The ominous silence Of Gomez ID said to
pressge the planning OF a series Of I'M
rortant attacks on the principal cities
Spaniards Looked ON Anased.
Philadelphia, Nov. Private letters re-
ceived In this city by Saturdays mail
from Havana throw light upon recent
events on the Island Of Cuba. One letter
in particular with the late occurrences in
Pinar del Rio. gives . very hopeful view
OF the present Cuban situation. This let
ter says that Antonio Maceo has not at
tempted to reach Havana province. and
the city OF Artemisa, which was partially
destroyed. he did not endeavor to force
a passage of the Trocha-
1t is stated In the communication, which
Is from Captain Gordo. who recently was
In this city, and who Is an officer Of Gen.
eral Maceo's sta6. that the rebel army In
Pinar del Rio province is not DESTROYS OF
making war In Havana and Matansas at
this time Both Of these provinces are
comparatively low and tat and the effect
OF the cOpious rains upon the soil r. sttli
detrimental to the proper handling OF a.
army. The letter reads:
ITO be with the Cuban army In Pinar
tirely cut on from communication with
the outside world. The main SYSTEM OF
the republic is not In operation in this
province, but the couriers of our COM
manders reach Havana as regularly as
do trains at the grand central station OF
New York.
Among tho accounts that furnished US
with the most amusement was that pub
Eshed IN the Diar.o de la Marina, concern
ing an attack upon ArtemIsa a few days
ago. hear that the same account was
sent 10 the United States and published
as authentic news. Still, after my visit
to New York. Philadelphia and Washing
ton CITY, feel that the readers of Amer
lean papers have learned to discern the
difference between Spanish and Cuban
news.
AT Artem.sa the fight was well carried
on; some OF our heavy guns were used to
splendid advantage. We did not attempt
20 pass the trocha. for 1t was not a part
of Gen. Maceo's programme. Artern.sa
was quite strongly entrenched, and over
1000 men were there garrisoned. Maceo
did not attack with his entire force, but
desired 10 give practice to the artillery
The enemy was amazed, I am sure. for
during nearly two hours time there was
no response from the town. Gen. Maceo
personally directed the attack We re-
tired In good order about midnight, after
the artillery of the enemy had shelled our
position. do not know the cnemy's loss.
but our killed numbered eighty We left