The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-02-12
Good News From Cuba.
Several Important Facts Sent
by a Correspondent.

Dy a correspondent
The Spanish Still Seeking to Hide
the Truth.
Habana, February 7, via Key
West, February THE Spanish cir
cles are greatly elated over the re-
port that General Luque won the bat
tie of Paso Real Monday. The Off
cials claim that decisive blow was
dealt the rebels. Owing to the tele-
graph and railroad lines not operat
ing. the only details obtainable are
the government report. The Cubans
claip the report is preposterous.
They say it is Impossible to kill 81
and wound 200 insurgents without
more than two dead and 80 wounded
on the Spanish side
Marin has not yet succeeded in
forcing Gomez to fight. Marin re-
mains in the vicinity of Quivican.
Several additional regiments have
arrived during the week from the
eastern part of the island. The
towns along the line of Habana are
alive with soldiers The railroads
run trains only few miles out of
Habana city The Western railroad
had several stations burned recently.
The Palacios and Paso Rea! road is
practically abandoned beyond Rim
con The Batabano trains, along a
strongly fortified line, have failed TO
be operated south to San Felipe for
several DAYS. No trains have been
able to reach Matanzas in 10 days.
The insurgents secured an i'm
mense quantity of arms, ammunition,
saddles, provisions and all kinds OF
equipments on the train captured
between San Felipe and Pozo
Redondo Saturday. The insurgents
numbered 400, and the troops only
so in an armored car. The Spanish
commander was killed and also 20
soldiers. The remainder surrender
ed their arms. The insurgents lost
three men, got 1000 mauser rifles
and 100000 mauser cartridges, dis
oardipg the old guns. The Spaniards
sent relief train which brought
back two cars containing two rapid
fire cannon, which we're detached at
San Felipe and sidetracked and es-
capped being taken.
The press censorship continues
strict. No cables from the United
States are allowed to be printed in
regard to tue status of the belllger-
ency resolution.
The government has ordered W.
F. Mannix, an American correspon-
dent, to leave Cuba The cause is
said to be an article in Washington
paper. Manpix fled protest with
Consul Williams against his summary
expulsion.
Gomez and Maceo are both in
Habana province, acting in concert.
Their Joint personal commands num-
ber $4,000 An American planter
who talked with Gomez few days
ago, said Gomez asusred him he
could have 100000 additional men if
he had arms The probable total of
insurgent armed forces numbers close
to 10000 at presnt.
Maceo completed his campaign in
Pinar province and left strong bands
there. Other bands dominate the
Interior of Stanta Clara, Matanzas,
Camaguey and Santiago provinces
Encounters with troops occur daily,
but most of minor importance. The
Cubans continue to fee, fearing
harsh measures on the arrival Of
Weyler. (Signed) Clark
Habana, Feb. S, via Tampa, Fla,
Feb. THE government is rapidly
forming squadronss of cavalry by
mounting infantry men. Thousands
Of horses Lave been taken by the au-
thorities in the different provinces.
The owner receipts due bill. The
highest value has been $34, the aver
age S25. Many American citizens
in the interior, who had horses taken.
have protested to the American con-
sulate. Others fear trouble and say
nothing Millions of dollars worth
of cane belonging to American citi-
zens has been burned, and railroad
and other property destroyed A
few claims have been filed. The
general belief is that it is hopeless to
attempt to collect damages, and will
only embitter the authorities.
American planters, who opposed
the recognition of belligerency on
the ground that the only hope of Sc
curity of property and crops was
uooto1 IN the Snanish authorities,