The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-01-29
Campaign in Cuba.
Insurgents More than Hold
ing their Ground-A
Reign of Rerror
Feared.

Habaua, Jan. 22.-General Pando
is here consulting Marion and other
generals as to the future plan OF cam
paigu. General Pando takes charge of
field operations and General Marion
remains here until the arrival of Gen
eral Weyler early next month. The
Cubans here are alarmed regarding the
safety Of themselves and tbcl' families,
though they have taken no active part
in the war Every steamer carries
crowds. Since it was announced Gen
eral Weyler has been appointed 1000
holding American papers of citizenship
had them revised good for ooe month.
Tue Cubans say they must choose be-
tween leaving the island and joining the
insurgents. There is much wild talk
regarding General Weyler's methods in
the last war. They fear reign of Ter
ror after his arrival. Campos's de.
parture is deplored by Cuban resi-
dents, foreign merchants and others,
except the intense Spaniards. Busi-
ness is prostrated. The merchants
close their stores evenings, saying they
cannot afford the cost of gas. The only
sugar estate in the island known to be
grnidiog is the Toledo. just cut Of Ha-
baua. 1t has special iguard of 5000
troops. The rebels threaten TO burn it.
The fine crop of cane on other estates is
uncu. owners fear the loss of mills if
they violate Gomez's order.
The latter is 80 miles southwest Of
Habaua. Three columns of troops have
pursued him for week. As Gomez's
men are mounted and the troops are on
foot. it is impossible to force battle un-
less Gomez is willing. The eastern
forces under Jose Macee, Rsbi, Ces-
pedes and GARLIC have entered Matan.
zas province and are now near Boloo.
drou. They will soon join Gomez.
1t is believed the latter has 25, 900 men
iu Habana and Matauzas provinces.
There is some talk of a big battle near
here when all are united. 1t is doubt
ful as the insurgents lack ammunition
for such fight; they have plenty for a
skirmish.
Antonio Maceo was last reported
southwest of the capital Pinar Del Rio
He bad engagements on the 18th and
18th. The Spaniards claim victorsies
both days The Cubaus ridicule the
official reports of these encounters. one
which made 300 infantry disperse 1000
mounted rebels, indictiog loss of 300
men.
The government is now building
small forts and block houses 10 q semi
circle 10 the rear Of Habana. Some
are store aud some wood. The United
Press correspondents found similar reports
in nearly all the railway towns in this
province. Batabapo has eight forts,
Quivica four, San Felipe six, Bejucal
four.
Some are very crude, being built OF
iogs apo oa!reis nlieo win e"' 'H'
dicatipg hasty defense rather than ag-
gressive operations. The rebels infest
the entire :proviuce and stop stages,
milkmen and chicken dealers in the
suburbs of Habana Yesterday asmall
town two miles south of Habana was
visited, and horses, ammunition and
arms taken.
Cepero, the insurgent leader cap
tured on the passenger steamer at Bata-
bano 10 days ago. is an American citi-
zen. Consul Williams has asked a civil
trial for Sapero. Two Spanish deserters
captured fighting in the rebel ranks will
probably be court martialed and shot.