The herald., 1897-07-10
THE INVASION OF MATANZAS
MAY END IN AN ATTACK ON
HAVANA
The Spanish Troops Are Likely to
Suffer More From Climate Than
in Battle
Associated Press Special Wire.


the Herald from Havana says: The
threatened invasion of Matanzas prov
ince by the insurgents 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 6O00
Lacret and Perese, who recently
Santa Clara from Camaguey, have unit
ed with other leaders, and there are now
five or six chiefs, each with a. consid-
erable following, moving into Matanzas
where the insurgents forces were Or
dered to mobilize. Mem have been sum-
moned from plantations, armed and or
dered westward.
embarrass General Weyler, who has
recently been rushing all available
troops to Orient, or to distract atten-
ton from General Gomez, who is sup
posed to be hemmed in by Spanish col
umns near Sancti Spiritts, is not yet
clear. 1t may be both.
Weyler will hardly continue to press
operations in Santiago de Cuba if the in
surgents concentrate in numbers in
Matanzas. He may cease his long
continued pursuit of the rebel forces in
order to check the western movement
of the insurgents.
lerisreportedn near Sancti Spiritus.
Wet weather has already made trans
portation of troops difficult. With the
ranks constantly being thinned by sick
ness, Weyler may find it difficult to stop
the progress of Gomez latest move. The
purpose of the ga altering in Matanzas is
said to be to cover the landing of an ex-
pedition which is due in that province,
and which will furnish the combined
forces with some additional arms and
cartridges and several rapid-fire guns.
After receiving this expedition, the
program mapped out by Gomez Is for
an advance across Matanzas province, a
junction with the forces in Havana prov
ince, and, if all goes we'll, demonstra-
ton near the city of Havana itself.
The general plan of concentration was
circulated here in conference among the
Cubans fortnight ago. 1t is known
that the forces Of this province had or
ders to meet the other bodies at the
Matanzas line.
Quintin Banderas. who recently came
from the east with 1900 men, and who
was in Melena del Sur two weeks ago,
has gone to Matanzas. The entire force
of rebels under Castillo in this province
is ready to join with those from the east
ern provinces.
Ducasse and his force of from $500 to
5000 men may come from Pinar del Rio
to take part in the movement
General CaliXto Garcia will remain in
Santiago province, but practically all
the other leaders of prominence on the
insurgents side have been ordered to
meet in Matanzas.
Just what opposition the Spanish
troops will make to the movement is not
certain.
Weyler is expected in Matanzas daily.
His departuresfrom Santiago was sud-
den. Whether he started westward to
take part in the attempt to corner Co
mez or to strengthen his forces between
the rebel bodies and the capital is not
known.
His announcement that the inland city
.(f Bayamo is to- be abandoned by the
Nanish and his withdrawal from the
, eaterh provinces caused surprise here,
az is only a few weeks since he moved
iafg' bodies of troops to Santiago for
the oclared purpose of wiping out the
lasC\Vstise of the rebellion there.
lhe sldden activity in the rebel ranks
attertfs rainy season has we'll begun
sho"sVlat they are able to move de-
spite tAe muddy condition of the roads
and thefrquept drenchings which they
must receive.
any IoNe' marches by large bodies
Oh spanish thopA to head off the rebel
movement, INST result in heavy losses
from slcknesS 'ardship and exposure.
LIES REPORT
WAsH1NGTNI, July 9. - United
States Consul 0sraralLee has been rem
dering some account to the government
of his expenditures in the fund appro.
priated by congreA or the relief of des-
titute American c&iens IN Cuba. His
figures were presenSd the cabinet to-
day and the showihS vas iemarka Bile.
for it appeared that V he total of $780,,
900 at the disposal of AeconsSl general
he had expended only SO,O and Vet ha d
given substantial relieNo evAy dis
tressed American whonAhe coAd find
ready to receive aid, and besides had
shipped some of them back p the Usitcd
States.
A Lawsuit Ended