The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-04
EARLIER ADVICES.
Martial Law acknowledgements N To
of the Insurgent Army.

HAVANA, Jan. 3.--The authorities con-
fess the grave condition of affairs in Cuba
by proclaiming martial law for the prov
inces Of Havana and Pinar del Rio. Maximo
Gomez has declared his purpose to penetrate
into the province of Pinar del Rio. Although
his forces have not yet reached the borders
of that province, the action of the authori-
ties is understood to indicate that they have
no hopes of preventing him from carrying
out his threat. 1t is not only the organized
armed force OF the advancing insurgents
that they find themselves compelled to pre-
pare against; in fact. there is little appre-
hension that this force could effect much
success in an assault on this city, great as
is the damage that they have wrought in
the country, but the irresistible progress of
the insurgent army whittier ii listeth, from
one end Of the island to the other. has
served immensely to increase the boldness
of their sympathizers, who have hitherto
remained passive noncombatants. If these
were to see the occasion for a successful
stroke there is no doubt that great access
sions to the insurgent forces would be
gained throughout the provinces of Havana
and Pinar del Rio. and there are grave
fears that an uprising would occur in the
city of Havana itself.
1t is not by any means to be considered
that the apparent lack of hope of checking
the new advance shown by the authorities
has led to the cessation of efforts, to pre-
vent the advance. The Spanish forces swarm
on all sides of the advancing insurgents.
From time to time they are massed at what
is considered salient point in the advance
with the hope of bringing about pitched
battle, which, the Spanish military leaders
feel certain would result in cutting the in
surgents to pieces. But the unrivaled skill
and generalship shown by Gomez and his
lieutenants in avoiding such traps and in
carrying his army past the most elaborately
planned barriers of the Spanish have served
to greatly discourage the leaders .on that
side. Their elusive antagonists seem never
to be within their reach. and yet always in
fiicting the most serious damage on their
territory.
Palos. as was yesterday cab!ed, to check
the advance into Havana, seem to have
been completely eluded and the efforts to
save the rich sugar country about Guines
seems to have been equally futile. Yet the
column OF General Echague is stationed in
the immediate vicinity Of Guines. while Gen.
Navarro has forces both at San Nicolas and
Paler and at Nuevo Paz. These forces are
in the very country through which the in
surgents have advanced. and men here ask
themselves how they are able to accomplish
1t. General Valdez also is stationed at Ma
dr1ga, the marine battalion at Aguacate on
the line of the railroad between Matanzas
and Havana. and General Prat at Cecilia
Moca. a little south of Aguacale. and be-
tweon there and MadruRa Finallv Csoior.,.
Seguere and Galvis are following In the
rear of the insurgents.
It Il believed that large band Of the in
surgents 10 still trying to force Its way into
Havana by way Of the mountains about n