The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-07
APPLYING THE TORCH.
Insurgents Busy Destroying Towns,
Villages and Plantations.


fighting in the near future between the
Spanish troops and the insurgent forces
now around Havana. The captain general
is engaged i'm bringing westward all the
troops available and until these move
ments are completed il is not thought that
the attack on the enemy will be COM
menced- The insurgents, according to adj
vices received from the outlying districts
OF Havana this morning. are now moving
westward in the province of Pinar del Rio.
although a number of the men are still in
this vicinity. At Managua, for instance,
about twelve miles from here, the insur-
gents are reported TO be in force under one
or the Nunez brothers and Bermudez and
the water works at Eento, which supply
this city, are still threatened. A strong
force OF insurgents is reported moving
northwestward from Salud and Alquizar.
Cen Suarez Valdes and Colonel Arizon ar
rived at Regla, across the bay from this
city. last night. General Leque is in COM
mand Of strong force of Spanish troops
on the limits OF the province of Pinar del
Rio and General Marin has moved his
forces from Colon toward the province of
Havana and is expected 10 continue on
ward toward the province of Pinar del
Rio. Reinforcements OF Spanish troops are
expected shortly at Bata5ano. They are
being drafted there from the province of
Santiago de Cuba.
Little news is received in this city re-
garding the movements OF either the Span
ish or Cuban forces, the lines of communi-
cation bt&-a- cut in every direction out of
Havana Enough is reported from points
in the province of Pinar del Rio, however.
10 show that the insurgents columns have
covered a wide territory in that province
and are INCREASINGLY destroying the sugar
cane and damaging the tobacco crop. At
Cabanas. a seaport town of considerable
Importance on the northern coast, the in
surgents have destroyed the lighthouse.
The destruction OF Guara de Melena, the
burning OF which yesterday reported
in these dispatches, seems to have been
complete. Guara de Melena is an important
town OF four thousand inhabitants. situated
in fertile district. The report from there
said the insurgents plundered the church,
the business houses. the stores and private
residences and then destroyed them entire
~. They are also SAID to have killed the
Mayor and prominent merchant of the
pace. Similar tales come from other towns
In the route of the insurgents march Qua
ia. small village east of Guara de Melena,
and west OF Guines. was also burned. The
Mayor OF the village of San Felipe, Ii Is
keaid. was intent on offering a vigorous re-
distance to the invasion OF his town by the
Insurgents. His temerity caused much sur
Cfsse 10 Maxine Gomez, and his forces set
about to burn the village. The citizens went
TO the Mayor with a request that he offer
no resistance to Gomez, and thereupon he
about the villages of Quivican. Duran and
San Felipe. in the southern part Of the
province of Havana, has been swept c.ean
by the destructive torch OF the insurgents,
and the plantations of Salvador. Julia. San
Augustin, Santa Teresa, Mercedita, Mora
and Mirosa have been burned
incoming trains from the south are bring
Ing in vast throngs of refugees-rnen, wom-
en- and children-some of whom have been
burned out OF house and home. but most
OF whom are simply fleeing from fear of
violence, having hastily gathered together
a few household goods This large infusion
OF panic-stricken people into the city's popu-
lation spreads cOntagion of alarm. and
the force and proximity of the insurrection
becames more real TO the mind OF Havana
every hour.
Last night torpedo was exploded in
front OF the Corona cigar mandatory in
the city No one was hurt. and the fire
much SsmaSe bnt tSa incident ws as
sinister look, and is a tangible expression
OF thing that even the most hopeful
citizens fear-and that Is an outbreak in
the CITY of disaffected elements in case the
Insurgents should come within reach of an
effort at cooperating In such an attempt.
Near Atares, also. bomb has been ex-
ploded.
There has been mass-meeting of forces
OF TROOPS in the northwest portion of the
Hrsdiately west and southwest Of Havana.
There is some faint attemDt to hold out
a claim that this is designed strategic
movement TO hold the insurgents i'm Pi1ar
del Rio. as in a trap. as was claimed would
be done when the insurgents broke through
the line into Santa Clara and again into
Matanzas. But there is no robust con-
viction in the minds OF even the most hope
ful OF the authorities that Gomez will not
be able TO lead his forces out OF the pro-
vince OF Pinar del Rio when he is so
minded or when any peril develops there
FOR his army. 1t is perfectly we'll under
stood that the troops taking position in
fhe northwestern part OF the province are
designed 10 protect Havana and repel a
possible attack by the insurgent forces now
rrrr~frY Dina n al nn1 he
fact OF the burning OF the lighthouse at
Cabayes there has been little additional
news of the course taken by the insurgents
T in their advance into Pinar del Rio.
Our War ships May Go to Havana.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 6.-The campaign
In Cuba is being closely observed by the
administration. in view OF the reiterated
reports of insurgent successes in their op-
erations near Havana. In the event that
they actually attack the capital of the
island in force. 1t is possible that the
North Atlantic squadron may be ordered TO
Havana. In order 10 be I'm position TO guard
American interests during the disturbed
s conditions that may be expected to accom-
pany a siege. Ii is not probable that ex-
ception could be taken to the presence of
our vessels in such case by Spain. ii is
customary for powers having large inter-
ests and many citizens In a city so beset TO
have some naval force present for their
protection in an emergency as was the
case at Rio de Janeiro. for instance.
Cubans I'm Need OF Surgeons.
BUFFALO. Jan. 6-Dr. W. II. Heath. of
this city, has been offered the surgeon-gen-
eralship OF the Cuban insurgent army. A
prominent member OF the junta passed
through this city last week and had a per-
sonal conference with the Doctor on the
subject II was then stated that the in
surgents are I'm great need or skilled medi-
cal attendance. and IL Is the intention TO
secure a well-equipped corps OF American
doctors IL money will induce them 10 take
up the service. DIR. Heath is not only a
surgeon Of learning and distinction, but an
accomplished lingu'st as well. speaking
Spanish fuently having received his early
education at the University OF Santiago.
There Is some probability that he Will ac-
cept the offer.
Attempted tn Destroy a Train.
MADRID. Jan. Ga dispatch received
here from Havana says that the insur-
gents attempted to wreck a train on the
Neuvitas-Puerto Principe railroad which
was conveying three hundred passengers
and a large number OF soldiers. \ dyna-
mite bomb. connected with an electric wire.
was exploded close 10 the engine and
wrecked IL. The insurgents then attempted
10 capture the train. but We're prevented
from so doing BY the arrival OF dstach-
ment OF Spanish troops Several or the
passengers we're wounded and the engineer