New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-12

piled up with earth the outside faces, others Of
two-inch wooden plankng; the rear OF the line Is
with occasional bockhouses as ralying points and
from Artcmisa TO Matana is about four miles. At
the southernmost point. as II approaches the sea,
the line splits into three ana runs SO ior n na sr
prise At four points Of the line are camps with
the trenches and blockhouses and in addition,
field artillery are posted at intervals The central
m!sa to Guanajay distance of twelve miles Here
the dcfences consist Of loose stone breastworks,
entsngements in front. At intervals are block
houses and artillery and machine guns the en-
campmcnts for the support being from mile to a
mile and half apart. TIE OF this central sec
ton is protected by breastworks of loose stone.
earth and palm logs. From Majana TO Guanalay
fed Of fire. In the vicinity OF Majana the very low
most .npaJsablc in tho wet season. The northern
section extends from Guanajay to Marel This Is
six miles long and runs through broken country OF
such nature to prevent the construction OF a
continuous line OF trenches and bockhouses. All
main road is occupied BY infantry pickets while
trenches and breastworks have been constructed AT
Az points on me ROAD where attack II lnougnt
likely At various intervals are stationed supports.
and strong bodies OF troops are billetcd IN GIana
OF twenty-five miles numbers 5000 men OF all arms
apd fatigue parties were at work. from M0rie to
Najana at TIE time OF my visit ! had an oppor-
excellent quality. the men receiving their daily al
lowancc OF fresh meat and bread rice. beans salt.
little sickness and both officers and men seemed
CHEEKY and satisfied In spite OF the fact that they
stand to their arms every night resting only IN the
daytime How matters will be when the rains set
in cannot saw but large amount Of sickness
parts Of the Ire near Marel and Majana the NOR
tally will surely be great
strength. and the Spanish officers feel confident
tina; tho rebels under Maeeo will not be able TO
unqnsst!onabiy be a diGicu, undertaking for the
Insurgents but certain weak points exist especially
to and mort hpr HSre in
attack will probably be made. Then again. tho
rebels haye no lines Of communicating 10 keep
to pass. On a dark and wet night successful dash
may be made. but any such attempt must entail u
successful it will be the most severe blow the Span
ish arms have yet received in Cuba.
The Cubans say that Macco and his men VIII not
attempt 70 cross the trenches. but have planned TO
remain in the province Of pnar de RIO trusting
On the other hand. some 1900 troops. under Cen
sea rdeeny dspatchad iDio pn1r de Ro With
orders 10 attack the rebels at all available points
and force them TO attempt to pass tho intrenched
: lire.
found the officers OF the troops on this fortified
line to be courteous ana obnsins, ana. morsoye',
thing struck me forc!Dly. and IT was the bitter
Cuban affairs. 1t is unnatural this should be so.
seeing that the rebels obtain the bulk OF their sup
/ plies OF war material from North America. The
Spaniards In cuba fan 10 separate the restraining
policy of the United States Executive from ;he
sentiment % the United states people and Con
! Ike the majority Of people who 10 make very
minute study OF the constitution and working Of
the great Republic.
An incident serves 20 show how Close the insur-
gents venture to the Spanish lines. paid visit to
senior officer one evening in Artemisl and
found him s.iina, IN complete darkness. He OK
pained that only a few nights previously he was
sea cd reading when three bullets few pas, his
head. Since then ne had deemed Il wiser not TO
make hmaelf so prominent target for rebel rifles
and row only lighted his lamps when his windows
closed and shutterel Every night shots are
fired at portion OF the lino. and only few
days ago the chief Of the stan vas shot at while
riding DOM the road from Artemisa 70 Majana
the bail missing the officers head by few inches.