The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-04
VIII Gomez Attack Havanas

1t is pretty well established by anthem
tic reports from Cuba that Gen. Antonio
Maceo crossed the Spanish trocha near
Artemisa something like two weeks ago.
He succeeding In forcing the line by a
brilliant stroke. He fired the town and
began bombardment of 1t, and during the
excitement t.-at resulted. marched his
men across the military line with compare
lively little actual fighting.
1t is learned by the correspondent Of the
New York Herald in Cuba that this move
ment by Maceo was a part of plan fornu-
lated by Maxine Gomez, having as its OBJ
ject an attack upon the city of Havana
1t is also learned by the correspondent,
from a Cuban lately in communication
with the insurgent commander-in-chief,
that IAN attack upon Havana will be
made within sixty days" Maceo is un-
derstood to be now in the province of Ha-
vana, and In direct communication with
Gomez. The allied forces of these leaders
now number some 10000 men, all complete
ly armed, with an abundance of ammuni-
ton, with some artillery and two dyna-
mite guns, and a tolerably well-stocked
commissary.t The movement against Ha-
vana, according to the report, has been
delayed for the purpose of giving Gen.
Weyler time to distribute his newly ar
rived troops throughout the island. 1t
seems to be Gomez's purpose to strike
where Weyler least expects a blow-in
his very stronghold.
Towns in the very outskirts of Havana
have already been attacked by the insur-
gents with some success, and not long
ago they made a partially successful on
slaught upon the city's water and gas sup
ply conduits. These incidents are thought
to show that the city is not by any means
invulnerable, and may be forced by we'll
planned siege. 1t is believed to be the
insurgent plan of campaign to make a
great demonstration in the province OF
Pinar del Rio, about the time that the
attack upon Havana is to be made. The
Pinar del Rio campaign will be under COM
mand of Gen. Rivera. one of Mace0s
most trusted lieutenants. In order TO
check Rlvera's operations in Pinar del
Rio. it is thought weyler will rush troops
from Havana to that province. And when
he moves the troops, Maceo and Gomez
will strike directly at the capital city.
so many false reports are sent out that
il is impossible to say which reports are
false and which are true. This report of
the plan of the insurgents may be cor
rect, and yet It is difficult to understand
how they could hope to hold the city, for
even a day, II they were to capture 1t.
They have no navy. They could not pos
sibly capture the Spanish feet, which
would turn its guns upon the city the mo-
ment it fell into insurgent hands.
The Philadelphia Ledger prints some
what discouraging report concerning the
sea-going qualities OF the New battleship
Oregon, recently tried in Pacific waters.
The Oregon had heavy weather on her
trial trip and is said to have rolled so
badly as to endanger not only the safety
of her men, but even her own. Apparent
~ she is topheavy, and when a ship is in
that condition there is always danger that
she will turn turtle" in heavy weather
and go to the bottom. When one OF the
great iron and steel floating forts Of the
modern navy founders, she goes down so
quickly that the chances are greatly
against any of the crew escaping. 1t is
suggested that the government will not
accept the Oregon from her builders until
the top heavness is corrected. Whether
the defect can be remedied without vir-
tually rebuilding the ship has yet to be as
certained. A matter to be considered in
connection with the acceptance or rejec-
ton of the vessel is the fact that she was
built upon government plans and under
government supervision.
The report. sent by cable from London
few days ago. that Mary Anderson
would soon return to the stage. is author
itatively denied. After the death OF her
first child. some two years ago. she was
bit FESTIVE and there was some talk in
the family Of a temporary return to the
stage in order to take her mind of her
loss, But since the birth of her second
child. nearly six weeks ago. all such ideas
have been permanently set aside.