The new North-west., 1897-01-22
THE GUNB0AT WRECKED
DISASTROUS ENDING OF A SPANISH
EXPEDITION UP THE CAUTO.
Influences Working to Bring About
the Recall of Captain General
Weyler.

| Havana, Jan. 1S.-The gunboats Cen
| tinela and Relampago left Manzanillo or
the night of January 16 with the object
| of going up the river Cauto to Fort
Guamo in compliance with the orders OF
| General Bosch
| AT 10 o'clock on the morning Of Janu-
airy II both gunboats were near Mango
| landing, when an explosion of a torpedo
which had been placed In the river, sunk
| the Re1ampago. Those of the crew who
survived swan toward the shore, but
| We're fired on from the banks AT this
critical moment a boat was launched from
| the Centinela which rescued the men in
| the water. In view of instructions and
the fact that the commander of the Cen
tinela and nearly all of the crews of both
boats had been seriously wounded the
expedition had to return to Manzanillo.
Senor Martinez of the Relampago was
seriously wounded In the explosion, as
| well as Assistant Engineer jacob Dun
ham, Gunner Francisco Martinez and
three seamen, while Paymaster Antero,
Chief officer Masquero, Engineer Pase-
della and also the pilot and four others
were slightly wounded. Six of the officers
and crew were killed outright and all Of
the rest received wounds of more or less
severity
On the gunboat Centinela the command
er Senor Puerta, was seriously wounded,
while one of the crew was killed, and
Corporal Manuel Cubanas, Pilot Duran,
Engineer Martinez and six of the crew
were wounded
Can't Last Much Longer.
Havana, Jan. IS (via Key West FLAP
There is considerable complaint here
among newspaper correspondents and
n in orl ~
with matter upon the part of the Spanish
authorities here, and it is believed that
the attention of the United States authori-
ties will be called to the matter.
Powerful influences continue steadily
working to bring about the recall of Cap
tain General Weyler. 1t is not generally
believed that Weyler can last much long
er, unless he succeeds in inf1icting a Sc
we're defeat upon the army Of the nsur-
gents under Maximo Gomez, which is un-
derstood to be steadily advancing upon
Havana from the east. Therefore it is
thought probable Weyler will gather to-
eether all the forces he can dispose of and
will push forward in the province of San
ia Clara and occupy positions calculated
to compel Gomez to fight a pitched battle.
In connection with reports of the APP
preaching recall of Weyler, it is Interest,"
ing to note the maner in which he re-
ceived the news Of the death of Antonio
Maceo, the circums tances of which have
only just leaked out from the palace.
AT first Weyler would not believe the re-
port, and announced his intention of pay
ing no attention to it until he received Off
cial confirmation. This was brought to
him while he was at the breakfast table,
Whereupon Weyler arose from his seat,
and. raising his eyes heavenward, eX-
claimed: My good star Fortune is not
yet eclipsed."
This happened at time when it was
well known to the generals S friends he was
disposed to resign.
Insurgents Need Aid.
Outside assistance is what the insur
gents stand badly in need of at present.
Everything depends upon the friends of
the insurgents in the United States. If
they do not exert themselves promptly and
effectively in the very near future, the
dream of independence for Cuba may pass
away for the present The turning point
Of the insurrection, it is believed here has
been reached.
1t is still insisted that Maximo Gomez
recently wrote the New York junta, in
forming it he must have additional sup
plies of arms and ammunition shortly or
else the insurrection would die of con-
SUMPTION but this is not credited in
inSurgent circles.
The insurgents admit that some active
utulOllS lIdllOIl upon lIlelI part Will DC
absolutely necessary in the near future
if they are to retain the sympathy OF
the people of the United States and it
is for this purpose that Maximo Gomez
was ordered to advance westward and
finally consented to do so, much against
his will, as he is fully alive to sthe diff
Guilty of the task.
A friend of the insurgents, who is usu-
ally very well informed, was heard to
remark today that he did not believe
the main body of the insurgents would
advance further westward than the
city of Colored, in the western part of
Matanzas province, as Gomez would be
taking too great a risk in SO doing with
the resources in his command. Never
theless the gentleman quoted added it
would perhaps be best for him to do so
in any case, as it would tend to revive
the dropping spirits of the insurgents,
who in addition to Maceo, have lost a
number of other important leaders. In
these conditions a really energetic gener
al with 10000 men under his command
might be able to make short work of the
insurrection, but Weyler is not of the
class of men who accomplish anything
brilliant.