The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-07-10
MOVING ON MATANzAS
Four to Six Thousand insurgents
Arc on the March.
A BIG EXPEDITION IS EXPECTED.
Also Intended to Make Weyler Alter
His Plans.
MAY MARCH ON HAVANA SOON.
Spanish Troops VIII suffer Heavily.
From Siclxncss II They Are Sent
Into the Field Now.
LAY MARCH ON HAVANA SOON.

New York. July "a dispatch to the
invasion OF Matanzas province by the In
surgcnts has been begun. Several large
bodies OF Cubans have crossed the line
from Santa Clara and the strength of the
force engaged in the westward movement
Is estimated at from 1000 to 5000 men.
Lacret and Perez, who recently crossed
the Jucaro- Moran trocha and passed into
Santa Clara. have united with other lead
ers and there are now five or six chiefs,
each with "A considerable following NOV
Ing into Matanzus. where the insurgents
forces were ordered TO mobilize Men have
been summoned from the plantations armed
and ordered westward.
Whether the movement was organized
| 10 cmbarrass General Wcyler. who has re-
| Gently been rushing all available troops 10
tho orient. or to distrac; attention from
General Gomez. who tx supposed 10 be
hcmmed IN by Spanish columns near Sancu
Spiritus. is not yet clear. II may be both.
General Wovler will hardly continue to
press operations in Santiago de Cuba II
the insurgents concentrate in numbers in
Matanzas and he may cease his long con-
tinucd pursuit OF the head OF the rebel
forces in order TO check the westward
movement Of the insurgents.
General Weyler is reported near Sancti
Spiritus. The wet weather has already
made transportation of the troops difficult.
and with the ranks constantly thinned by
sickness. General Weylcr may find It diff
cult to stop the progress of Gomezs latest
move.
The purpose OF the gathering In Matanzas
is said to cover the landing of an eXpedi-
ton which IS due in that province. and
which Will furnish the combined lorces
with additional ammunition and cartridges
and several rapid fire field guns.
After receiving this expedition the pro-
gramme planned out by General Gomez is
for an advance across Matan2as province.
junction with the forces in Havana prov
ince aud II all goes we'll. advancing near
Havana Itself.
The general plan Of concentration WAS
circulated here among the Cuhans fort
might ago. 1t was known that tho forces in
bodies Mt the Matanzas line.
Quintin Banderas, who recently came
from the east with 1900 men. has gone 10
Matanzas. The entire force Of rebels under
Castillo In this province is ready to join
with those from the eastern provinces.
Ducasso and his force Of $500 10 5000 may
come from plnnr del Rio to take part in
the movement
General Calix,o Garcia will remain. In
Santiago province. but practically all the
other leaders OF prominence on the insur-
gent side have been ordered TO meet In
MDtanzas.
Just what opposition the Spanish troops
will make TO the movement ia not certain.
General Woyler In expected in Matanzas
daily. His departure from Santiago was
sudden. Whether he started west 10 take
part IN the attempt TO corner Gomez or
TO strengthen HIS forces between the
rebel bodies and the capital Ia not known.
His announcement that the inland city
OF Bayamo IN TO be abandoned by tho
Spanish aud his withdrawal from the east
ern provinces caused surprise here. MS 1t
is only a few weeks since he moved largo
bodies of troops to Santiago for the declared
purpose of wiping out the last vestigo
OF the rebellion there.
Tho suddcn activity in the rebel ranks
after the rainy season has well begun
shows that they are able TO move despite
the muddy condition OF the road. Any
forced marches by large bodies of Spanish
troops to bend off the rebcl movement must
result In heavy losses from sickness hard
ship and exposure.