Birmingham state herald., 1897-05-02
PORT RANES RECOVERED By the Combined Spanish Army
 and Navy. GUESS QUIT THE FORT eut tCil Construct a New One Outside of l5s 3anes--Goyernment Six Months Be- g hind With the Troops.

;e Havana, May 1--Via Key West-The .port of Banes in Santa Clara. held by Gen. Calixto Garcia and 6,o10 Cuhaas ever since the Laurada landed Rolof's expedition, has been recovered by the combined Spanish army and navy under Gen. Gomez Rnbert and Admiral Ne- varro. The Spanish forces combined at at Nipe and Gen. Gonrz Euhrrt for,nd his forces, consisting of two columns in cluding TOO marines, 400 navy and 1,290 in- fantry, commard6d respecsiv ly by Lieut.. Col. Cristobal Nunez and Lieut.. Col. Ayala, accompanied by the chief of staff, Lieut. Col Kindenan, a native Cuban. Both columns boarded the Spanish fleet under the command of Admiral Navarro. This fleet was composed of the flagship La Gaspie and men-of-war Reina Mer- cedes, Nueva Espana, Magallanes, Yas- co Nunez de Balbao, Galicia and Ligera and protected by artillery landed under heavy fire from the insurgents mus ketry at Romen peninsula, off Banes, los ing during the removal of the troops on3 killed and twelve 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 tor pedo. The Nueva Espana was the first boat to enter Porto Banes. The Ligera followed with Admiral Navarro, Gen. Rubert and his adjutants on board. he Spanish columns then advanced, protect- ed by fire from the Neuva Espara, which bomtarded the insurgents on the heights, ultimately capturing the Cuban fortifica- tions with loss of forty men.
 The gunboats then communicated with Santiago de Op.co. who, With fifty men, commanded an ironcl2d fort. Within this fortifcclion his men had heroicaly ds- felnded themselves during a fortyfive days siege. The fort was constantly surrounded by the insurgents, who, how ever, failed to r ach the stronghold, which was to some eXteLi pTtteUlsd by wire netting. The Cuban forces were at all times too far removed from the fo sifiei- tions 10 do any serious injury to ths fost. Their artillery was short of range, due to the great height of he ridge. De Opico denies having received any water supply from the CCi9ang, slad says that when the LauradIa ente red oPr.o Banes he sarJt a boat with twenty msn out into the har- ben. He claims that the Lauta1a at- tempted TO ram thds boat, and that the men were compelled 10 seek refuge on near by quay. The Lluiada then pro- ceeded to the interior of the harbor, land ing the expedition out of reach of fire from the foit. remaining in port ,wenty- four hours
 The Magellens and the Nauva Espara remained at Eanes for the purpose of protecting the town of Bans3 from fur Ul2T atIESEs. 1ne fCTl buHf i9l the fn- temor of Eanes and the whGeves have been destroyed and Will be reconstructed at tEa entrance of the hafbor within easy reacIh for dsftiare and supplies, thus pn1- venting the further landing of expeli- tiorG. The Cubaps, in view of the com bin- cd attack of the army and navy, aban- dJrcd their stronghold without furtael' resistance, leaving a large quantity of ammurttEon. It is believed that the con- struction of a new fort outside the limit ~Nf Inc nj cum N1c4 naval forces under the command of Ad- miral Navarro and land forces under General RTtsrt will leave for Porto Bonico nearby, wh9re the insurgents are rencrted to be located.
 The report tha Ouintin Bandera has passed to the weN ward and that he is now in camp between Aliquizar and Ar temisa, with goo men fully equipped with new rifles is confirmed. They are await ing the arrival of bands of insurgents from N.antanz4s and Santa Clara.
 The government has strengthened the military forces in the vicinity If Havana by the addition of twel9e squadl ors of cavalry and fiftann battalion of infantry. This unusual activity cs .roops in the province of Havana is regarded as very significant
 Editions of the Imparcial Heraldo and Liberal have been seized by the govern- ment for repubshing telegrams sent cut from Havana by way of Key West.
 The government Is now six months in arerars in tha payment of the troops and there is much dissatisfaction in conse- quence. Gen. Figuerea will leave for Spain on May 10.