The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-26
GEN. PANDO BADLY BEATEN
GARCIA DEFEATS BoTH HIS LAND
AND WATER FORCES.

Ths spaniard's ssundreu TAKES 20 the H'Eh
Seas and Els Soldiers Retreat from the
Cauto River 70 R1ausaniio-Both spanish
Autonomy and warfare Seem 20 Ne Futile.
HAVANA. Dec. %, via Key West, Dec. 2b.-
Advices to THE SUN from Manzanillo, Santiago
do Cuba Province, say that the Spanish squadron,
composed Of the gunboats Diego VelazqueZ,
Oentinela,A lcedo and Luisa, and the tugs Fausto
and Eulalia, has been driven from the mouth Of
tho Cauto River by the insurgents under Gen.
Calixto Garcia.
AT the same time the 10000 Spanish soldiers
under Generals Pando and Segura, who at.
tackled the insurgents by land, have also been
compelled to return to Manzanillo after three
unsuccessful attempts TO dislodge Gen. Garcia
from his strong positions.
Tho gunboat Diego yelasquez was seriously
damaged by q torpedo. and the rest Of the
squadron had to stop firing on account Of
tho heavy cannonading from the insurgent
forts. All along tho lower part Of the Cauto.
rs for as the town Of Cauto del Embardero.
the patriots had built strong civilizations. with
all the modern improvements, which tho Span
ish gunboats wero not able to conquer. 1t would
be risky and almost impossible for O large
cruiser to enter the mouth Of the Cauto.
The situation there, from a military point Of
view, is most serious for tho Spaniards, while
in Santa Clara, Matanzas. Havana, and Pinar
del Rio the patriots keep up the guerrilla war
fare and await the coming of the Spaniards, to
offer them battle in their fortified strong
holds. Gen. Calixto Garcia, in the East.
after his destruction of Las Tunas, Guamo,
and Guisa. took possession of the town of Cauto
del Embarcadero and established his headxuar-
tiers there. He has n considerable part of his
army. under Gen. Jesus Rabi, besieging the
town Of Bayamo. and with another part, com.
prising at least 5000 men with the bulk of his
artillery. he holds Cauto del Emuarcadero and
controls the Cauto River.
While the news of tho war in tho west
seems to excite more interest. rs the scene of
events is noarer to us. 1t is well to call attention
to the fact that in the cast Gen. Garcia has al
ready driven the Spaninrds from q considerable
territory. where not a single Spanish flag now
waves nor q single Spanish soldier can be found.
The plan of Gen. Pando was to reach Cauto del
Embarcadero By land ard the riye- :. tbs Same
time with the help Of the squadron. On Dec. Is
he landed some troops at the mouth of the Cauto
protected by the squadron. and especially by the
large gunboat Alcedo. This operation was car
ried out under the CALLING fire Of the insurgents.
The steamer Jos6 Garcia brought tho troops
from Manzanillo. Two days later tho Spaniards
had to retire again, and the squadron took to
the high seas.
The failure Of Gen. Pando is producing consid.
erable excitement in Government circles here.
1t appears that as the plan Of autonomy has
failed the hopes of success by the army have
also to be given up. Both military and political
efforts, upon which combination the Cabinet o.
Sehor Sagasta relied so much. collapsed at the
same time.
Havana is full Of rumors about the insurgent
leader Aranguren, on whom tho Spaniards
/ would like to wreak vengeance for the killing
Of Col. Ruiz, 1t is reported that Aranguren has
been killed near Aguacatc In ii engagement
with q Spanish guerrilla force. but only tho un'
compromising Spaniards in this city. eager for
Arrangements death, pay much attention to such
reports.
The latest details received hero confirm TIL
Suns statement that Aranguren received or
ders TO kill Ruiz from Gen. Alexandra Rodri.
guez, commnnde1lDt the insurgent army in Ha'
vRna province.