The San Francisco call., 1898-03-03
QUIET PREPARATIONS FOR EMERGENCIES

ally preparing for the removal of' the big. guns and whatever of value that can be reached No bodies were recovered to-day: It may be some time before the wrerkers can make sufficient progress to allow the divers to recover the group of dead still imprisoned under the many tons of twisted steel and iron in the body of the wreck
 The Havana newspapers are devoting an unusually large amount ot space to Washington and to the alleged views ot President Mckinley, Secretary Long and Secretary Gage.
 Father Chidwicl1 last night declared his belief that 1t would now be i'm possible to recover all the bodies. He thinks it doubtful whether more than fifty will be brought to the surface in the future.
 A report has been received of the landing of very large expedition: al most in Matanzas harbor. It Is be- lieved to be that taken on the Dauntless by Dynamite Johnny" O'Brien. The supplies landed were taken charge of by insurgent cavalry numbering 400. They were attacked by 800 of General Molin . soldiers, but the insurgents refused battle successfully and escaped with the supplies absolutely without loss.
 Reports of insurgent activity con tinue coming into Havana and greatly exasperate the public. although every attempt is made to suppress the facts and make victories out of defeats The rebels are especially active in the prov ince of Santa Clara.
 Jiminez [ Iastelfanos. in recent battles ill Nuellas Cuarto Caminos. Naiosa, Managuaco and Peraleio, could no more than hold his own. eventually being compelled to retreat to Puerto Principe, after losing one captain, one lieutenant, ninety-seven privates killed, and two lieutenants and 22o privates in jured
 On February B. Spanish columns un- der General Voda Key and Colonel Lopez Ontega were surprised and wig orously attacked by the Cubans of Garcia's command The Spanish were thrown into confusion, and after an at tempt to reform. the lines fled precipi- tately, leaving Captain Gomez Avellen- ada. and seventeen priyates dead on the field. The rebels captured thirty-nine wounded Spaniards
 On the same day near Holguin Gen -eral Torres with Boo men defeated the combined forces of General Ballesteros and the Marine Infantry under Captain Hernandez Colombo, killing twenty nine: and wounding Captain Colombo, Major Rivero and thirty-eight privates. Skirmishes are of daily occurrence in the provinces of Matanzas, Havana and Pinar del Rio.
 So often have rumors been circulated that the rebels were about to attack La Esperanza that the guard has been doubled. 1 am informed by most, re- liable agent Of the insurgents that Gen eral .Bellito with:6oo armed men crossed the trocha from Principe and Is advanc- ing toward Matanzas
 At Nueya Paz a new band has been organized by Colonel Comejo, form erly under Cuervo, who surrendered a few weeks ago, Comejo refused to surrender.
 Two dynamite bombs. were exploded on February 20 on the. Holguin. de- stroying the track and. causing great alarm. No lives were 1ost.
 Captain Sigsbee has received let ter written by General Jacinto Hernan- dez expressing sympathy for the loss of his ship and crew. General Hernandez feared to address Captain Sigsbee. as that might be. misunderstood. and so addressed an American who is in the field with Gomez. The letter was then forwarded to this city. The following IS translation:
 Army of Liberation.o Cuba. Fifth Corps, Second Division, Second Bri- gade Chieftainship
 Distinguished Friend. The sad news that your great nation mourns :. has reached us and 1 feel full of sympathy for the noble American people. I deem 1t duty to address a few lines to you in order to express the deep sorrow l feel and is felt by all my command be- cause of the foul work planned and exc cuted by vile and hypocritical Span iards. For the sake of mankind and civilization l hope this foul crime will not remain unpunished. That would be terrible blot upon American his tory. l avail myself of this opportunity to confirm the expressions of my sin cerest esteem and the high opinion Of you by this brigade. Yours respect fully,
 JACINTO HERNANDEZ.
 "Chief of Brigade. .
 "P. S-In camp, Feb. 2a, 18o8-A messenger left Gomez's camp carly last week and is now proceeding to Washington carrying full data and: de tails of the insurgent field organization. In case hostilities break out General Gomez expects to cooperate with: the American fleet, and for that reason. de. sires that American officers shall have full knowledge of the insurgent forces and equipment. It is understood here that Gomez will offer to relinauish his command to any American general who may be sent from Washington
 A letter was received at noon to-day