The record-union., 1897-01-19
An Order of the Civil Governor OF
Puerto Principe Carried Out.
General Gomez Taking a Concentra-
ton of the Insurgent Forces, Pre-
paratory to a Formal Advance
SmaIIpox Assuming Frightful Pro-
portions at Havana, the Disease
Being Officially Declared Epidemic.

KEY WEST F'la), Jan. 1S.-The fol-
lowing Havana news has been received
here:
By order of the civil Governor of Pu-
erto Principe OrdaZ Avecilla, the fol-
lowing distinguished ladies have been
arrested in that city: Conception Aga
monte. widow of Francisco Sanchez Be
tancourt Secretary of the Treasury IN
the last war, and mother of Benjamin,
Calixto, Amaso, Alfredo and Eugenio
Sanchez Agamontet, all in the reVolu-
tionary army, the latter being Gomez 5
physician; Angelina Silva de Recio, wife
of Brigadier- General Lopez Recio, and
Loynaz Marie Aguillare, sister of An
tonic Aguillare. 1t is also rumOred that
President CisneroS' sister and the fol-
lowing prominent citizens have been
arrested: Jose Morell Y Xliquas, Car
los Adam V Masvidal, Ramon Bosa y
Bosa, Alberto Agramonte Y Bosa, Jose
Mora y Pera, Vicente Ramirez Lee
deSma and many others
The city is terribly excited not only
on account of these arrests, but also be-
cause of the suppression Of ''El Pue-
blo." Persons wishing to leave are un-
stbiC " iO ~. Tire NlJN cI ItOI pi OiLlbtN1Ao
their departure. The condition of the
Jail is frightful. There are no accom-
modations for ladies, and those arrest
ed are confined with common criminals.
Gomez was last reported at the ranch
La Campana, near Sanci SpirituS.
There are many rebel movements in
that section and Remedies. Gomez ap-
pears to be making a concentration of
rebel forces preparatory to a formal ad-
vance. The Government is rushing
troops to that section and establishing
"a strong line ON the borders of Matan-
zas and Santa Clara provinces. 1t is
said Gomez has given orders to contin-
ue the skirmishing policy, and to press
no fights with the troops but harass
them until the dry season is over. He
has also ordered the capture of all cat
Tile possible.
1t appears Gomez will not. comt Co
Havana province yet knowing he would
be caught in a trap, as this section af-
fords no facilities to deploy his forces.
There are no woods or hills, and be-
sides it is crossed with too many roads,
railroad towns at a short distance, etc.
Then, too. Weyler would throw on Co
mez 10000 or $4,000 men the Captain
General has in hiding behind the tro-
cha. Gomez knows Weyler's plan, and
is too smart to be caught.
The rebels continue active around
Havana City. The condition of things
is becoming alarming. Smallpox has
extended to all wards Of the city, and
has assumed frightful proportions. The
death rate is Al per cent. Smallpox has
teen officially declared epidemic
The censorship is more rigorous than
ever. The publication of all news of
the burning of cane fields, farms, es-
tates, etc, known to be occurring daily
in the provinces, especially Havana and
Matanzas, is prohibited. The flames
can be seen from the city. Rumors of
many fights reach the city, but are nev-
er printed. Pressure is exerted on cor
respondents Of local papers never to
transmit important happenings in the
sections named, nor news of rebel
movements
SPANISH GUNBOAT SUNK.
HAVANA, Jan. 1S.-Though the in
Eurgents haveno navy they do not hesi-
tate when the opportunity offers to at
tack the Spanish warships The latest
incident Of this kind occurred yester-
day morning, when a Spanish gunboat
was sunk by means of a torpedo and
many Of her crew killed.
\ detachment of rebels had made an
attack upon the forts at Guamo. some
distance up the Cauto River, province
of Santiago de Cuba, and the Spanish
troops. fearing that they would not be
able TO hold out. asked for assistance
from Manzanillo on the coast. On Sat
urday night the gunboats Centineli and
Relampago left Manzanillo under or
ders to ascend the river and protect the
forts. The commander used all Dossi-
bile speed in running up the coast to the
mouth of the river, but when they be-
gan to ascend the stream they proceed
ed very cautiously, suspecting that the
rebels might have planted torpedoes in
the channel
An went we'll until the gunboats were
opposite a place called Mango. when,
despite all the precautions that had
been taken. the Relampago struck a
torpedo Instantly there was & terrific
explosion, and masses of water were
hurled to a great hight The huh Of
the Relampago was torn open. and she
at once began 10 sink. There was no
the extent of the disaster could be
realized the vessel went down. Those
on board who were not injured jumped
into the water and made their way as
best they could in the direction of the
Centineli
As soon as It was seen that the Re-
aampago was sinking the Centenili's
boats We're launched The rebels gath
cred in force along the banks of the
river, and when they saw tie Span
iards in the water they directed a
heavy rifle fire upon them. The Cen
tenih opened fire on the rebels, but as
they could not be seen and their posi-
1ions could only be discovered by the
smoke from their guns, it IS not be-
lieved that any serious losses were in
fiicted upon them
When the Centenih's boats attempted
TO rescue the men struggling in the
water the rebels fired upon theIn, but
the Spaniards bravely persisted in their
work of rescue until all the men had
been taken from the water
The commander Of the Centenili was