The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-05-15
THE INSURGENTS ARE ACTIVE
Havana Ro yalists Regard the Situation
as Very Gloomy
Later Details Show the Spanish Loss to Have
Been Less Thsn Reported, but
Still Severe

LONDON, May 14.-The correspond
ent OF the Standard at Madrid says:
Gloomy Impressions are gaining at
Havana as to the prospects for military
operations, and reinfOrcements of twen-
ty battalions are deemed indispensable,
because the local volunteers do not re-
spond to the call to arms with the COM
ing of the rainy season. Several filibus-
tering expeditions have landed on vari-
Gus parts of the island lately.
The insurgents are credited with an
intention OF renewed activity during the
approaching unhealthy season, when the
troops cannot move easily on account
of heat and the rains.
The Standards correspondent also
says:
All Of the papers connected with the
trial Of the men captured will be duly
impaired to the United States govern
ment, which has instructed Mr.. Taylor,
United States minister at Madrid, to ask
for the records in the case. The Ameri-
can note was friendly but firm in tone
and said the United States did not OBJ
ject to trial by the ordinary military
courts. subject to the guarantee sup
piled by the treaty.
Germany and France have vainly
tried for several months past to obtain
an extension to their subjects in Cuba
of the same treatment as the American
treaties afford to citizens of the United
States.
DETAILS OF BATTLE
HAVANA. May 14.-Meager details
have been received Of an attack upon the
famous Platero camp of the insurgents
by Col. Seguara's column which was ad
mittedly severe for the Spaniards. The
official report, however, places the loss
of the troops at only one lieutenant and
four privates killed and one captain and
twenty-seven privates wounded, while
the reported loss Of the insurgents was
f1fty-nine killed and estimated 100
wounded carried off the field.
Colonel Seguara left Yaguajay at the
head Of his column on May 9th. and en-
countered the insurgent band in am
bush at Santn Cruz. These retreated
after only slight skirmish. Arrived at
Seibabo, Col. Seguara perceived the in
surgent infantry going toward the
noted Platero camp The troops went in
pursuit. proceeding cautiously. though
only slight resistance was offered to
their advance. They went forward to
the hills, where the insurgents hail
built a stronghold with earthworks and
entertainments.
= Here bloody engagement occurred.
The insurgents allowed the column to
advance until they had entered de-
file close under the heights, the cavalry
and baggage train being. however, still
In the rear. In a moment the heights
blazed with asudden fire of musketry,
and there was hurled down upon the
heads of the troops a deadly shower
of dynamite bombs and shells, which ex-
ploded in the ranks Of the Spaniards.
This sudden onslaught was unexpected
and threw the troops into temporary
panic.
1t looked as though the insurgents
would sweep everything before them.
The artillery was thrown into confusion
and was helpless and useless and was
placed hors de combat. The mules
which were dragging the pieces shied at
the noise and fearful explosives and thew
fell into ditch. The artillerymen had
to lift two of the cannon out of the ditch
by main strength before they became
available for service at all.
They were trained on the rocks and
loaded with she'll but there was no enemy
visible to fire upon, the only sign of them
being heavy smoke cloud which hung
over the rocks and showed where their
terrible attack had come from. The van
guard of the column had to face an at
tack from line of the enemy in the in
trenchments on the steep hills which
faces them. and to add to the damage
and confusion an attack was very soon
opened upon the left flank Of the troops
The first company Of the Zamore bat
talon and the cavalry were entrusted
with the task of repelling the flank at
tack. The engagement began at II o'clock
and continued until. The Official report
announces that at the end Of that time
the Spaniards were the sole poseesors of
the field, the losses incurred being a.