The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-01
DEADLY TRAP OF DYNAMITE.
CUBANs BLOW UP A TRAIN IN PINAR
DEL RIO.

The Engineer and Fireman and
Thirteen Soldiers Killed and 23
other Persons Injured-The Span
ish Reports That Pinar del Rio Is
Now Practically Pacified Declared
RidicuIOus-A Change in the Lead
ership of the Rebel Forces.
Key West, Fla. Jan. S1.-Advices from
Havana state that in fiat contradiction of
all rumors lately circulated that the rebels
are demoralized and weakened and ready
to surrender. especially in Pinar del Rio
province, where Gen. Weyler made the rid
iculous assertion that only 500 remained in
struggling bands of bandits, word reached
Havana, Friday, that the insurgents had
dynamited a train causing great damage
and loss of life. Although the censor for
state reasons maintains the official paci-
fication and suppressed the information
in the papers, the news rapidly spread and
all were soon familiar with the details.
The affair created great impression and
was widely commented on.
Investigation disclosed the fact that on
the morning of the 28th as a military train
was crossing a culvert at a place named
Oceguera between Candelaria and Man.
gos, tremendous dynamite explosions oc-
Cured, ditching the engine and tenders.
The armored car was completely wrecked
and other cars were also more or less
damaged. The engineer, fireman and thir-
teen soldiers were killed The surgeon,
twenty soldiers, conductor and brakeman
were wounded. Assistance was hurriedly
sent and the dead bodies brought to Ha-
vana. The wounded were lefA at Candida
ria
The above is not the sole INSTANCE of
rebel activity in that province, The Off,
cial reports daily announce numerous en-
counters in different sections of the coun-
try. In order to diminish their import
ance they are always reported as skir-
mishes with considerable rebel loss aud
trifing on the Spanish side. When the
affair assumes undue proportions, as Col,
Melguizo's recent defeat then the whole
details are suppressed.
Other advices from Pinar del Rio an
nounce a change of leadership in the rebel
forces. Mayia Rodriguez, after success
fully crossing the trocha with a strong
body guard, has assumed command and
Ruis Rivera, who was designated to take
charge of the Cuban forces in Havana
province, managed to pass the celebrated
line Friday, and is near Mariel now at the
head of the insurgents of this section,
Another striking illustration Of the
Spanish inpudence in asserting that the
Eastern provinces are practically pacitied
was given Friday night when late strag-
glers witnessed all the eastern heavens
illuminated as if Guanabacoa was on fire.
That town is not burnt yet, but reports
received next day stated that bold Aran-
hlOVV
vicinity of Havana, sacking and burning
the hamlets of Cruz, Piedra and Bacu-
ranao near Guanabacoa. Wednesday last
the rebels burnt the most of the town of
Nueva PaZ, IN Havana province, despite
the fact that the town is protected by ten
forts with a garrison of 300 men. All were
taken by surprise when they saw the reb-
els in the place. All the stores were
looted and then burned.
Havana, Jan. 31.-The Gazeta Oficia
prints three DEGREES issued yesterday by
Captain General Weyler from his head
quarters at Cruces These DEGREES order
the enforcement in the province of Santa
Clara of the provisions of his last three
previous DEGREES relative to the concen-
tration of the inhabitants, the sale Of
goods and the establishment of zones of
cultivation, as provided for in the PROV
inces Of Pinar del Rio, Havana and Ma
tanzas.
London, jan S1.-The Standards Madrid
correspondent telegraphs that the queen
regent will on Thursday next sign at a
meeting of the cabinet Prime Minister
Canovas' scheme reforms in the Spanish
West Indies. The scheme was devised
after several conferences with the lead
ing conservatives, senators and the Mar.
quis de Apezteguia, the leader of the Cu-
ban conservatives, who is now i'm Madrid.
The reforms will gos into operation in
Cuba as soon as the pacihcation of the isrs
and will permit. The scheme will state
that the government is willing to enter
tain suggestionsNas to the West Indian
tariff reforms and the subsequent inn
provement of commercial relations with
the United States. The whole matter will
be handled cautiously. Th0correspond-
ent adds that it would be premature 10
suppose that the scheme will effect In
Cuba autonomy similar to that now en-
joyed by the Australian colonies and the