The herald., 1898-02-03
Hired to Read All Letters
to CubanS
IF THE CONTENTS DON'T SUIT
THE PEOPLE ADDRESSED GET NO
MAIL
Spanish Military Operations Par
alyzed by Weather, But the In
surgents Are Still Lively
Associated Press Special Wire

~
Associated Press Special Wire
HAVANA, via Key West.)-Feb q
Mail matter in the Havana postoffic
continues to be tampered with. Their
are eighteen extra men on duty opening
letters and reading newspapers before
delivery. While European mail matter
gets through all right, correspondence
from the United States, especially from
Tampa and Key West, is most carefully
examined. Letters from Madrid tC
members of the opposition party are
opened. The delivery of the mail is
habtually delayed several days. News
papers are held much longer and are
often not delivered at all. In many
cases letters and valuable packages fail
to reach their destination. the failure
causing severe loss. 1t is reported that
this system of inspection was prompted
by DIR. Congosto, the secretary of the
government.
The insurgents have dynamited IA
passenger train near Guaran, partly de-
stroying the engine and derailing the
cars.
detachment of Spanish cavalry has
been engaged with an insurgent force
under Collaso at the Aguio plantation,
Havana province. The Spanish report
of the affair says that the insurgents
lost seventeen killed, that four insurg-
ents We're captured and that the Span
iards had seven men wounded.
On Sunday last at Havana and Guam
abacoa, assistance was given to 1911 re-
concentrates. About 33, $50 rations We're
distributed. There are about $4,000 re-
concentrates in and about Havana and
Guanabacoa.
Spanish military operations continue
almost paralyzed, the season most ia
vorable for movements against the in
surgents thus being lost.
On Friday the insurgents entered the
town of Artemisa, province of Pinar del
Rio, and plundered several stores. The
governor of Pinar del Rio sent Jose
Mendonez Diaz as an emissary to the
insurgent leader, Perico Diaz, with pro-
posals of peace and surrender The in
surgents hung him near a railway with
the governors letter on his body.
Monday night they renewed the attack
on Artemisa but were repulsed, leaving
two killed. The insurgents under Jose
Miguel Gomez surprised two squadrons
of cavalry on the militray trocha near
Ciego de Avila and inflicted considerable
loss, including a Spanish captain. The
remainder of the Spanish force made a
disorderly retreat to Ciego de Avila
BLANCO'S FAILURE
NEW YORK. Feb. 3.-Official state
ments which will be published are to the
effect that the reason Gen. Blanco was
not successful in securing Gen. Rabi's
presentation was that Gen. Rab had
been arrested by Gen. Garcia and
stripped of his rank because it was
feared he would surrender. says the Ha-
vana correspondent of the Herald.
Gen. Rabi's brother, it is reported, has
been shot by order of Gen. Garcia for the
same reason.
Failing in securing the presentations.
Spanards here expected Gen. Blanco to
take the field and conduct a vigorous
and aggressive campaign against the
rebels. He publicly announced that such
was his intention, but for some reason
his plans miscarried, and now he is COM
ing home without having struck decis-
i've blow.
Reports say the rebel forces under
Gen. Garcia inflicted a severe blow on
the Spaniards under Gen. Linares and
Gen. Luque, killing several officers, in
Gliding the son of Gen Luque
Official reports say that eighty five
We're killed or wounded.
Volunteers are making threats again.
and the authorities in order to be fully
prepared have deemed it necessary to
take precautions against a demonstra-
ton. Guards have been placed about
public buildings and the residences of
members of the autonomist ca abinet and
the American consulate. About the ci-
gar factories of the Rabel companv.
which supports autonomy, is gathered
200 cavalry. The new government is
worried over the threatened resigna-
ton of several members of the autOno-
mist cabinet.
one of the most important engage
ments of the present campaign in the
Orient was fought on January y near
Caiman between the forces under Gen
Luque and the rebels under Gen. Gar
cia. The Spanish, it is reported. had 1j1
killed and large number wounded
From accounts received the fight was
veritable slaughter, the Spaniards be-
ing boxed up in ravine.
Several small towns have been entered
and raided by the rebels in Santa Clara.
several estates having been attacked
and destroyed
CRUISERS MOVEMENTS
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-It is said at
the navy department that the Mont
gomery, after leaving Santiago will stop
at some other ports on the coast of Cuba
and then proceed southwark to the coast
of South America, perhaps extending
the cruise as far south as Rio. where
she may join the South Atlantic squad
ron. Other cruisers and gunboats will
probably follow the course of the Mont
gomery generally, from time to time. So
that the United States nag will be seen
oftener in the future in the waters south
OF the United States than ii has been for
many years.
THE RTAHK PEpTrDT