The herald., 1896-01-02
THE INSURGENTS ADVANCE
Is Not Likely to Culminate in
Battle
THE COUNTRY DESOLATED
C0rnfields Burned Over and Plantation
Buildings Destroyed
The Spanish Columns Rushed Hther and
Thither, Only to Find Destruction
Wrought and Cubans Conc
Associated Press Special Wire.

New YORK, Jan. IA special to the
Journal from Havana says: The war has
| evidently settled down to conditions such
as existed before the big raid, except that
the scene has been transferred from the
eastern provinces to Mantanzas and Santa
Clara.
There is but little likelihood of battle
in the near future, although the two big
armies are on the march in compare
lively small area. Not day passes but
reports come of brushes between the i'm
surgent cavalry and Spanish infantry.
Usually as the cavalry retires it leaves
burned sugar plantations in its track. A
birdseye view of the once luxuriously pro-
ductive province of Mantanzas now would
show a sorry sight. Black, barren fields
and charred remnants of plantation build
ings are everywhere. The threat that if
any of the planners attempt to grind the
cane their places will be destroyed by the
rebel torch is we'll understood in this
province and few dare to act detiantly.
The owners are powerless.
Reports have come in to the effect that
the insurgents are gathering around Car
denas. Precautions against an attack
have been taken by General Campos. Iti
impossible, from the present movements
of the insurgents army, to determine what
is the future plan of Gomez. He orders a
rest of one day, march to the south or
east or north or south on other days in the
direction where the troops are scarce or
where sugar cane needs burning.
REPORTS OF FIGHTING.
New YORK, Jan. IA special to the
World from Mantanzas says that on Mon
| day series of skirmishes took place be-
a,,I
the Spaniards, under Valdez, Navarros,
numbering $50 men all told, came up
with the insurgents of Godinez sugar es-
tate, near Calimete. The village is on the
railway between Colon and Yaguaramas,
in the western corner of the province of
Santa Clara. The insurgents were posted
within an inclosure of plantation buildings.
The colonel commanding the Navarro bat
talon, threw his men against the position
of the insurgents, which they defended for
a time with more than 1000 men.
as he was approaching, moved
| quickly forward and soon came in sight of
the rebel position. Gomez then withdrew,
dividing his force into two portions, which
were pursued by Navarro, and afterward
by Juarez Valdez company. The Navarro
battalion. although composed of green
| troops, assailed stone wall behind which
the insurgents were posted. The killed
numbered II. and their wounded SO. The
wounded we're sent by train to Colon, ar
irving there at . p. IN. The insurgen' had
a long train of carts and litters when pass
ing subsequently through another point in
the direction of Palmillas. Colonel Molona
came up with them after the affair of
Calimete and used artillery against them.
Suarez Valdez had reached Mangula when
the insurgents were Withdrawing from the
field of action near Calimete. His troops
left the train on which they had arrived
and followed Gomez. At the cane sugar
estate they struck the rear guard of the
insurgents, which maintained a fusilads for
one hour, and left eight dead on the field
upon retiring. Valdez is IN pursuit of
them. Navarro came in contact with
Gomez's men again at the Madria cattle
estate and nine of his soldiers were
wounded.
| Another action, more important than any
of those of yesterday, took place today
(suarez Valdez being in command of the
Spaniards), somewhere near Perifo. can
obtain no details regarding it. The Span
| ish collms are being rushed hither and
! thither numerically, the commanders be-
ing upon their mettle. The condition of
affairs in Matanzas is terrible. Gomez and
Maceo have been outside the region of lhe
sugar estates while on the border of the
swamp, but Quiniin Bandera, who is de-
tached from them, has joined La Crete, the
regular insurgent leader in the province, as
has also Robert Bermudez from Santa
Clara, and they are destroying property in
the central portion of the province.
La Crete was at the railway yesterday
at point near Limonar. He was also re-
ported to be in the vicinity of La Guinillas.
Bermudez, Sarcallos, Robans and Alber-
dis bands are engaged in ravaging the
country at various points on the Cardenas
and Cucoro railway.
Pitiable stories of the sufferings of the
people continue to come in. A planter, a
foreigner, whose estate in near Colon,
says that the insurgents swept over his
property, burning everything and ransack-
ing the house and carrying of clothing and
valuables.
EXPLANATION NEEDED
HAVANA, Jan. 1.-The news received
from the front tends TO confirm previous
deductions made regarding the moyements
of the insurgents. 1t is admitted only
that the Cubans are marching westward
with the intention apparently of pushing
for Los Paleu, a small town on the railroad
leading TO Guiues and westward of Matan-
zas The Spanish officials explain this
movement to the westward by saying that
the insurgents intend to return eastward
towards the province of santa Clara,
through the northern portion of the Sagua
district.
Evidently Insane
UKIAH, Jan. l.-About ten days ago
George Devilbliss, prominent merchant