The morning news., 1897-05-02
BATTLE FOUGHT AT BANES.
THE sPANIARDs RECAPTURE THE
TOWN FROM THE CUBANs.

bnnsj as II Was "a FaVorIte SDot
for Landing FnIbuster Exnedi-
tiOns-Grent Quantity of war Mn
nftiOns Lost.
Havana. May The port Of Banes in
Santiago de Cuba. held by Gen. Callxto
Garcia and 6.OO0 Cubans ever since the
Laurada landed Roloms expedition. has
been recovered by the Spanish combined
army and naval forces, under Gen. Gomez
Rubert and Admiral Navarro The Span
ish forces combined at Nipe and Gen. Co
mez Rubert formed his forces consisting
of two columns, including 200 marines. 100
navy and 1900 infantry commanded re-
spectively by Lieut.. Col. Crstobal Nunez
ana Lieut. Col Ayala, accompanied by
the chief Of stan. Lieut.. Col Kindelan. a
native Cuban. Both columns boarded the
Spanish fleet under the command of Ad-
mral Navarro. This feet was composed
OF the flagship Lagazpi and the men OF
war Rena Mercedes. Nueva Espana.
Magallanes, Vasco Nunez de Balboa. Gal
icia and Ligera, and protected by artillery
landed under heavy fire from the lnsur-
gents musketry at Ramon Peninsula. off
Banes, losing during the removal OF the
troops one killed and seventeen wounded.
Meanwhile, the marine forces in the
armed boats were sent to reconnoiter at
the entrance OF the port OF Banes. They
succeeded in removing three wire cables
and one torpedo.
The Neuva Espana was the first boat
to enter the port of Banes; the Ligera fol-
lowed with Admiral Navarro. Gen. Ru-
perte and his adjutants on board. The
Spanish columns then advanced. protected
by fire from the Nueva Espana. which
bombarded the insurgent nights. ultimate
ly capturing the Cuban fortihcations, with
a loss Of only forty men. The gunboats
then communicated with Santiago de Op-
leo, who, with fifty men, commanded an
iron fort. Within this fertilization his
men had heroically defended themselves
during forty-five days siege. The fors
was constantly surrounded by the insur-
gents who, however, failed to reach the
stronghold, which was, TO some extent
protected by wire netting. The Cuban
forces were at all times too far removed
from the fortifcations to do any serious
injury to the fort. Their artillery was
short Of range, due to the great hight OF
the range. D'Opico denies having reeei,.
ed any water supply from the Cubans. and
declares that when the Laurada entered
the port at Banes he sent an armed boat
with twenty men out in the harbor. Ha
claims that the Laurada attempted 70
ram this boat and that the men wars
compelled to seek refuge on nearby
quay. The Laurada then proceeded to the
interior OF the harbor, landing the expedi-
ton out Of reach of fire from the fort
remaining In port twenty-four hours.
The Magallanes and the Neuva Eanana
remained at Banes for the purpose Of pro.
teeuhg the town Of Banes from further
attacks The fort built in the interior OF
Banes and the wharves have been de
stroyed and will be reconstructed at the
entrance Of the harbor, within easv roach
Tor defense and supply. thus preventlne
the further landing Of expeditions
Inc Cubans In view of the combined A..
tack OF the army and navy abandoned
their stronghold without further res3st.
ence' leaving large quantity Of ammunr-
tion' lt Is believed that the construction
OF new fort outside the limit OF tba
present town, once completed. the naval
forces under the command Of Cblef-of.
STAN Marenco, and the army under Gen.
Rubert will leave for Port Cabonico. near
by where the insurgents are now report-
ed to be located.
The report that Qulntin Bandera has
passed to the westward and is IN cann
between Alquizar and Artemisa with soo
men fuiiy equipped with new rifles is con-
hrmed They are awaiting the arrival os
bands OF Insurgents from Matanzas and
Santa Clara.
The government mas strengthened the
military forces In the province of Havana,
by the addition Of twenty squadrons OF
cavalry ana hfteen battalion OF infantry.
This unusual activity on the part Of the
troops In the province of Havana Is re-
garded as very significant.
Editions Of the Imparcial, Heraldo and
Liberal have been seized by the govern.
ment for republishing kilograms seat OUT
from Havana by way OF Key West.
The government Is now six months IN ar
rears IN the payment OF the troops and
there Is much dissatisfaction In conse-
quence.
Gen Flguera viii leave for Spain ON
May 10.
AIaHH