The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-05
Thousands Of Spaniards successfully
Eluded by the Forces of Comes,
MaceO and Bandera.
CAMPOS'S PLAN A FAILURE
MANY OF HIS TROOPS FAR FROM
THE PRESENT SCENE OF TROUBLE.
Sugar Plantations and Railway Sta
tiOns Burned by the Insurgents in
Their Devastating Raids.

HAVANA Jan. 4.-Unless all indications
are misleading, the end of the Cuban in
surrection is at hand, and the reuslt, it
would seem, must be in favor of the insur-
gents, whose armies. under Maxine Go
mez, Antonio Maceo and Quintin Bandera,
are nearing this city from three different
directions
The above facts, so frequently denied in
official circles during the past two weeks
are now generally admitted, even in
official circles. although all sorts of lame
explanations OF the triumphant advance OF
the Cubans are put forth in the hope of
calming public excitement. But no amount
Of explanation will alter the fact that the
insurgent cavalry scouts believed to
have been sighted from here this morning.
AS the advance bodies of the Cubans were
at Tavaste, eighteen miles from Guanaba-
Goa, practically a suburb of this city, last
night, it is by no means improbable that
the report that the Cuban scouts have been
sighted from the lines defending Havana
is correct. 1t is no longer cry of ION
to Havana from the Cubans. They are
here, slowly but surely surrounding this
capital, after a triumphant march from
the eastern end of Santiago de Cuba, to
the capital of this island. in spite of all
the best troops of Spain could do to pre-
vent them. Step by step, General Campos
has been driven back before the advance
of the victorious army, until here prepara-
tions are being completed on both sides
for the final and decisive struggle.
General Bandera and his column camped
last night at San Jose de las Lajas, very
short distance from Tapaste and his forces
are now said to be nearing Guam
abacoa, or its vicinity, in order
to take up the position assigned
to them for the siege of Gavana
Another report has it"-that Banfera will
try to pass by Mount Bejucal to Rincon
and from there to Santiago de las Vegas,
to cut the railroads leading into Havana,
but in any case, it is admitted that he will
push onward towards this city and his
campfires may tonight be visible from the
Spanish outposts around this city. In
fact, it is claimed that Bandera will camp
this evening at Vento farm. within rifle
shot Of the outposts of the Spaniards
GOMEz'S WHEREABOUTS
The main body of the second insurgent
column, under General Gomez was re-
ported, this morning. to be at Duran, mov-
ing in the direction of Guirade Melena, at
the bend of the railroad leading from the
province of Pinar del Rio into Havana
Other portions of Gomezs column, by far
the strongest of the three, and now said to
number eight thousand men, were sighted
to-day at Guivican and San Felipe, only
slightly to the eastward and northward Of
Guirade Melena. The third insurgent col
umn, under General Maceo, was announced
this morning to have passed Caiba Mocha,
should now be in the vicinity of San An
tonic Vegas, or between there and Naza-
reno. All three columns have been continu-
ing the work of destruction, burning cane
fields and plundering houses of the wealth.
er class as they pushed onward. The Provi-
dence, Nonbre de Dias, Julia la Gia Mer-
cedita and other plantations in the Guines
district through which the insurgents have
just passed, have been completely wiped
out by fire.
Here the utmost CONSERVATION prevails
in government circles. There is no denying
that Havana is now, to all intents and pur-
poses, invested by insurgents. Their COL
umns are pressing unchecked around this
city and the military authorities seem to
have fallen into . complete state of help
lessness. Government officials are blaming
COLI
dition of affairs. utterly regardless of the
fact that it was Campos's plan of campaign
the wild scattering Of his forces all over
the island-which is mainly to blame for
this crisis, although other influences have
had a great share in the bitter humiliation
of the Spaniards. Incapacity has been sup
plemented by sickness and treachery. The
Spanish soldiers, in spite of all denials
have deserted in considerable numbers and
have, in many instances shown sympathy
with the insurgent cause.
AN ASTONISHING FEAT
Stories are af1oat here of a wholesale re-
publican propaganda at work among the
soldiers from Spain, and it Is claimed that
it will yet bear astonishing fruit. But the
most astonishing feature of the climax is
the cool manner in which the insurgents
have pushed onward during the past ten
days. Right on the ground the insurgents
have Just traversed are several strong
columns of Spanish troops, said to number
in all about thirty thousand men. but we
hear of no fighting worth mentioning, a
skirmish here and there being all that is
recorded. OF course great deal of this
success is due to the fact that the Cubans
have the sympathy and active support of
| nine out of ten persons they, have encount-
| cred In their march on Havana, while, on
the other hand. the Spaniards meet with lit
| tie sympathy from the natives of this island.
Thus the insurgents have been assisted
| in every way possible in their endeavors to
keep clear of the Spaniards and the latter
| have been misled at every opportunity.
| General Echague. for instance. is in the vi
cinity Of Guines with small army OF Span
| ish troops. Yet the insurgents have passed
right through his district, destroying every.
thing in their path. General Valdez is al
Madruga, northward and eastward ci
| Guines at the head Of another little army
| of Spaniards, but the Insurgents passed
| apparently unmolested. right and left OF
| Madrusa and camped in strong force not
far from that place for night. General
I N9yarra. Of whom % much Was expected