The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1897-05-15
ROUTED BY CUBANS
Spaniards Walked Into Their
Own Trap Near Bayamo.
WILL NOT INTEFERE
She Administration Will Pursue the
Same Pacific Policy Toward
Cuba and Spain.
sympathy For the CubanS VIII Not BE
Shown-Hence Warships Have Not
Been sent to Havana to Pro-
tect American Interests.

NEW YORK, May l3.-A dispatch to
! the Herald from Havana via Key West
says:
Apparently reliable news of the
most important insurgent success in
months has just reached Havana. 1t
appears that General CaIixto Garcia
and General Rabi fell on Spanish
force which was carrying food and sup
plies from Manzanillo to Bayamo early
last week, captured the convoy: routed
General Lonos' column and pursued
him SO vigorously that he fed to the
coast with the remnant of his brigade
and took a ship at Cabo de Cruz for
Manzanillo. 1t is said that so severe
were his losses and so thoroughly dis
organized his men, that the Spanish
general did not dare attempt to retrace
his steps to. Manzanillo by land, fear
ing that he would be again attacked,
and this time wiped out of existence.
This engagement, which is regarded
as more important than any battle
since that of Cacarijicara, goes to show
how helpless the Spanish are in the
country east of the trocha. What is
known of the affair came in private
letter to Spanish officer here.
General Lono laid trap for the in
surgents. Believing the convoy would |
be attacked, he serta mule train ahead !
with scant escort, intending to flank
the rebels while the escort held their
fire. His force is said to have been
between 1900 and 1000.
Garcia, with between 800 and 1000
men, waited for the convoy three
leagues from Bayamo. Ne was told by
his scouts that there was large Span
ish force following the poorly pro-
tected mule train, and suspecting
trick, he allowed the pack mules and
small escort to pass without molesta-
tion, and placed his men in an advan-
tageous position to await the coming
Of Louo.
The Spanish eagerly awaited the
sound of firing ahead, which would
,ell them the train had been attacked,
straight into the trap. Dis
mayed by the sharp musketry fire from
the 'Spaniards fed utterly de-
when the Cubans charged
hem with machetes.
As has been generally the case, the =
Spanish infantry, having been SUBJ :
ected to a heavy fire, did not long op-
,ose the machete with the bayonet. In =.
few minutes the retreat wasgeneral. Is
General Lono and his staff by desper-
tie efforts succeeded in rallyfng few
undred men for o stand, but although
hey opposed the insurgents with a
risk fire, it was evident that the day
as lost.
Fearing that movement among the
ubans meant an attempt to surround
lem, the Spanish broke and ran.
hus the retreat became rout. The m
lsurgent forces were divided, one di-
ision pursuing General Lono and the
,her going to capture the arms and
rovisions. This last proved an easy
.sk. The Spanish commander with v
le retreating main body was harassed
r 10 miles. He decided to abandon
Ie regular road back to Manzanillo,
airing he would be interrupted as
eneral Reyes had been few days be-
re. The victorious Cubans were on
e road to Bayamo, his provisions IDI
ere lost and his men were practically ID
ithout feod. The only way he saw to
cape with the remnant of his forces
Is to make for the coast at a point
any miles from Manzanillo. He III
arched nearly 40 miles, reached Cape
uz, and sent word to Manzanillo. A
ssenger steamer was pressed into the
rvice, and carried the respondent
ldiers back to Manaanillo.