The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-25
THEIR HARD TRIALS
The Effects Of Hardships Telling on
the Insurgents.
GOMEZ FAILING IN HEALTH
Physicians Say He Cannot Live
Long-DIstress and Destitution
on All Sides in the Provinces
of Cuba-Costly Provisions.

Copyrighted. 1896, by the Associated
Press.
Havana, Jan. 24-For some time past
reports have been in circulation here
concerning the physical condition of
General Maxine Gomez, commander
in-chief of the insurgent forces. one
story has asserted that he was suffer-
ing from wounds and that he was seri-
ously i'll. 1t appears that neither of
these reports is correct. but II Is as
serted that the insurgent chief is a
very sick man. 1t is stated upon the
authority cited that the doctors in at
tendance upon General Gomez recently
held a consultation, and diagnosed his
case as being an advanced stage OF
consumption, complicated with fever.
1t is further stated that the physicians
have come to the conclusion that Go
mez can only live about two months
longer These statements have caused
! considerable alarm among the insur-
gents and their friends. as. even though
his condition may be exaggerated to
some degree, 1t Is believed the main
facts are correctly stated. Besides,
according to the reports from the front,
he is being sharply pushed by the
/ Spanish troops and Is getting little or
no rest now. day or night. The effect
/ is that his movements can now be
marked by a trail of tired out and
lame horses which the insurgents leave
/ behind them. The opinion is expressed
| that the insurgents are In desperate
| straits and that for Gomez now every
thing depends upon the safe arrival in
| the province of Havana of the eastern,
or second army of insurgents, under
| Generals Jose Maceo and Rabi.
Gomez yesterday for time appear
| ed half inclined to risk a decisive en-
gagement with the Spanish troops. He
was bivouacked at the village of Pla-
sole, south of this city. Colonel Galvis.
| in command of the Spanish troops at
Quinvican, gathered together all the
government troops available and
moved with a strong column upon the
enemy. The latter awaited the APP
| proach of the Spaniards, but after half
an hours firing. during which num-
/ ber were killed and wounded on both
sides, Gomez suddenly divided his
| forces into two columns and commenced
/ to retreat. One of the insurgent coll
umns retreated outward to the Lagia
district, and the other toward Bata-
bano. Colonel Linares pushed on
| after Gomez's forces and had skir-
mish with the enemy's rear guard.
When last heard from the Lnares coll
umn was closely pressing after the enc
my, and Colonel Galvis. having been
reinforced by troops under Colonel AL
decoa, three columns were started in
pusult of Gomez.
News received from the front at an
early hour this morning showed that
Gomez apparently reunited his forces
last night, broke camp this morning
| when informed of the approach OF the
Spanish troops. The forced night
march, however. had told terribly on
the Spanish infantry, and the mounted
! insurgents of Gomez had no difficulty
In getting away. The Spaniards had
also effected a junction with Colonels
Linares' and Aldecoa's forces so soon
as the scouts brought word that the
two insurgent columns had wheeled
toward each other Later the third
Spanish column under Colonel Galvis
Joined them, and this strong force
starter in pursuit OF the insurgents.
moving in a southerly direction this
| morning. A prisoner, who was severe
| ly wounded, was captured by the
troops, reported that the horses and
men of the insurgents are becoming
exhausted from long marching and that
the insurgents are also short OF am
munitfon and provisions.
The authorities now have TO face a
serious problem here. The prices of all
kinds of provisions are going up rapid
ly every day In spite of this people
are fiocking into Havana from the
country districts and other provinces,
and in many cases the refugees are
people who have lost almost everything
they possessed, and a very great num-
Der OF them here and elsewhere are de-
pending upon charity. The cost OF the
war has been enormous and the drain
created by provisioning the army has
been very great. Consequently this ex-
tra expense which the authorities viii
have to meet in some manner or other
is causing some anxiety.
However. there Is a large and eve
increasing exodus OF planters and 9th
ers from qhls city. hundreds leaving b,
every ship bound for the Unlted States
Jamaica. Hayu or South America
ports. The fncrease Of crime IN all tn
provinces Is said % be enormous. Busi
ness is almost at a stands.lH and com
! meroe Is practically tAinS OF the pas
The work Of strengthening ana increas
ing the defenses Of Havana continue
without interruption. number OF ad
dlziOnal small forts have been built a
Havana. and the authorities claim ther
= absolutely no danger OF sudden al
tack by the lnsurgen =. much less OF
successful siege.
In spite Of tins asssuranee. however.
feeling q gloom and depression pre-
walls here. There Is ID loEsar any ;al
of settling the insurrec;lon oy a crush
. ing blow and. although the advert Q
General weyisr Is hooked forward 70 a
: likely 70 Be the signal for more aci!v
operations against the Insurgents, N
feeling grows <faat the struggle Is
rrlst exhaustlng one FOR all cyncerne-