The record-union., 1897-02-21
SPANISH BADLY WORSTED.
SUFFER SEVERE LOSS AT THE
HANDS OF CUBAN REBELS.
Decoyed Into Trap and Their Forces
Routed, Leaving Many Dead
on the Field.

CINCINNATI, Feb. 20-A special to
the Commercial Tribune" from Key
West says: A report reached here late
Tonight of rumOrS in Havana of a big
fight in Santa Clara province on Tues
day between l 500 Spaniards and 1,200
Cubans under Gomez, which lasted sew
en- hours. The insurgents cut down the
Spanish forces first with artillery, and
then with the rnachete, the Spanish
fleeing for their lives in great disorder
The losses on both sides were heavy,
the Spaniards losing the most men. The
Cubans captured all the ammunition,
stores and guns. including four field
pieces and quantities of small arms
No details can be had Tonight, nor can
the name of the Spanish General be
learned.
A special TO the Commercial Trib-
une" from jacksonville, Fla, says:
Letters from Pinar del Rio to-day to
Colonel Corbe give details of engage
ments i'm that section recently, in all
of which the insurgents were success
full. Near Jaoreta, Major p. Morales
engaged San Martins troops and after
a two hours fight the Cuban maohete
charge drove the Spanish from the
field i'm utter route, they leaving 125
dead ON lthe field. The insurgents de-
coyed the Spanish into a trap in Jope-
Ia swamp, and cut their rear guard
into pieces and routed the squadron of
500 men, the Spanish losing over 200
men.
AT the woods of Ell Tovio was another
disaster for the Spanlards, Colonel Lor-
ente defeating Colonel Martins debach-
memt of 600 men and forcing him to
retreat to San Juan Martinez with
heavy loss. leaving his dead ON the
field AT Janta the Spaniards made a
plucky fight, but the Cubans routed
them after three hours hard fighting.
The insurgents secured 200 rifles and
! 800 rounds of ammunition. Their
loss was less than 80, while the Span
iards acknowledged a loss of over lao.
HAVANA, Feb. 20.-In an interview
with a Madrid correspondent of lei
Liberal" Senior Luis Morote, who was
a prisoner in General Gomez camp on
the 18th, 1ith and 10Th instants, said:
Il left the village of Santa Espiritu
with the intention Of ascertaining the
condition of the forts outside the village.
separated from my escort. l was dis
covered by rebel scouts, captured and
delivered to officer Rosdeno Garcia, who
conducted me to General Maximo Go
mez's camp at the Barracodes, between
Santo Espiritu and the trocha at Juar-
AGO. General Gomez became quite furi-
Gus. calling my action one of strange
boldness. l tried to explain my pres
ence alleging L desired to talk about the
situation of the revolution with General
Gomez. The General refused to talk on
the subject, and asked me to sign an act
recognizing the independence of Cuba.
l said | was not willing to do so and
that l should not sign the act of inde-
pendence. Immediately Gomez ordered
me to be taken away"
While a prisoner in the camp of the
insurgents, Senior Morote was closely
guarded by the Cubans a court-mar-
tial was ordered to try Morote and other
cases. Senor Morote made a personal
defense. 1t looked for time as if the
prisoner would be condemned to die. The
tide was turned by the interference of
Colonel Gordon, an American. He said
that If the prisoner was executed, he
would Immediately abandon the cause
OF the revolutionists. DO not scandal
ize us" he added. we cannot become
assassins, by shooting war correspon-
dents" Great excitement followed
these remarks and the prisoner was re-
leased Gomez's staff officers embraced
Morote and congratulated him upon his
delivery. Afterwards Morote dined
with the officers. Senor Morote says all
of the officers in General Gomez's army
spoke highly of Martinez De Campos,
saying they loved and respected him.
The officers say the bad treatment by
Gomez was due to the fact that Gomez
had become desperate owing to the
death of his son and his desire for re-
venge.