Evening journal., 1896-01-24
FLEEING FROM HAVANA.
The Situation Is Critical at the
Capital.
MOVEMENTS IN THE PROVINCES.

No Important engagements Reported, bnt
the Insurgents Continue TO Devastate
Plantations Though "OmcialIy" Van
quished, Gomez still Fighting.
HAVANA, Jan. 24.-The Cubans here
are alarmed regarding the safety Of them
selves and families. Every steamer car
ries crowds. Since it was announced that
General Weyler has been appointed 900
persons holding American papers OF citi-
zenship have had them vised good for one
month. The Cubans say they must choose
between leaving the island and joining
the Insurgents
There Is much talk regarding General
Weyler's methods in the last war; They
fear reign Of terror after his arrival.
Business Is prostrated. Tho merchants
close their stores evenings The only sug-
ar estate in the island known to be grind
ing Is the Toledo, just out Of Havana It
has special guard Of 1900 troops. Tho
rebels threaten to burn it. The flno crop
Of cane on other estates is uncut Owners
fear tho loss Of mills If they violate Go
mez' 8 order.
The latter is now 30 miles southwest Of
Havana. Three columns Of troops have
pursued him for a week. As Gomez's mon
are mounted and the troops on foot, It is
impossible 20 force battle unless Gomez
is willing.
The eastern forces, under Jose Macco,
Rab, Cespedes and Carilla, have entered
Matanzas province and will soon join
Gomez. II is believed that the latter has
%, 600 men IN Havana and Matanzas PROV
inccs.
The government is now building small
forts and blockhouses in a semicircle In
the rear Of Havana. Some arc stone and
some wood.
The insurgents infest the entire prov
inco and stop stages, milkmen and chick
en- dealers in the suburbs of Havana. A
small town ninc miles south Of Havana
was visited and horses, ammunition and
arms taken.
Cepero, tho insurgent leader captured
on the passenger steamer at Batabano ten
days ago, is an American citizen. Consul
Williams has asked civil trial for Cepero.
Two Spanish desorters were captured
fighting in the rebel ranks and will prob
ably be shot.
A Missing Railroad Train.
The railway train which left Havana
for Gunnajay has not returned at this writ
ing. The wires being all down, no tidings
can be had. The railway to Matanzas is
closed, and the line between Havana and
Batabano, 80 miles southwest of the CAPT
tai is operated only twice a week The
stations arc fortified.
The insurgent Captain Carlos Castillo
has been killed in an engagement with
the Spanish troops.
General Pando was accorded great re-
ccption at the palace, it being the saint
day of the king. The local military and
civil authorities were present, and the Off
Gers of the two German scholarships, Stein
and Stosch, were among those in attend,
ance.
The insurgents under Olive and JulianI
Cruz it is reported, have plundored III
stores at Punta &c Ia Sierra, Pinar del
Rio. They kidnapped Pcrfocto Diaz, and
nc wns ransomed for $50.
Tho Insurgents have effected junction
Of bands at Cayo Redondo Tho wharyes
and dopots at Rio Blanco were burned
At Catalina, in the Remedies district,
the railroad station was burned.
In an engagement with the civil guards
at Sabanilla. Matanzas, the Insurgents
sustained loss OF II killed. Three ladies,
whose home was near the scene of the bat
tie, were killed by stray bullets, and 10
men suffered a similar fate. Tho village
of Salud, in Havana province, which late
ly rose in the insurgent cause, is reported
to have surrendered.
The insurgents have burned the wharves
and the depots at Bailcn and Sabalo, Pi-
mar del Rio.