The San Francisco call., 1898-03-04


 night that every one who knew ot the discoveries so far regarded the Herald s outline of Powelson's testimony as most admirable He added that he thought 1t possible a mine may have been placed after the ship anchored, and pointed out that she swung from a buoy and might circle 1t through varying condltlons pi wind and tide. It was possible that when she lav due south of the buoy on "a dark night a rowboat could nave reached position north ot the buoy, where the ship might be few hours later. He said this pending dehnite settlement of the question whether the harbor is mined and 1t was known at inc palace that the Maine was placed over explosives.
 :. Senator Proctor yesterday saw lively engagement between a band ot 25o ln- surpents and an equal number ot Span ish infantry. This took place almost within Matanzas on the street. where the Senator was later ao~roached by messenger from General Gomez, who openly proclaimed his identity and mis- sion. He brought greeting from Gomez for the distinguished American, and promised to deliver to the General any reply that might be sent. Senator Proc tor, however, thought best not to risk entangling himself The details of Proc tors trip to Matanzas could not be sent over the direct cable last night, and the Havana papers were not allowed to refer to the matter The fact seems to be that the insurgents learned of the Senator plans and arranged demonstration for his benefit. His train had hardly left the suburbs of Havana before fires were seen springing up in the canehelds on all sides. This was kept up all along the route where there was cane to burn. As result of his experiences Proctor last night, in conversation, expressed his be- lief that 1t was impossible for Spain to regain sovereignty over the island, no matter what course was pursued by the United States This opinion was based upon the confession of the Spanish au thorities that the condition of affairs grows more serious the farther eastward one penetrates The Senator, for this reason. has given up the idea of more extensive trip through the island, and unless his present plans are changed will take boat for home on Saturday. His trip yesterday was made at the sugges- ton of Clara Barton, and he was ac- companed by the British Vice-Consul and several Red Cross agents. About twenty miles this side of Matanzas the train slowed down, running not much faster than a man could walk It was learned that the wires had been cut and the trainmen feared to run into a dyna- mite bomb Brisk firing was heard about mile back from the road and lively skirmish could be seen between force of z5o insurgents and an equal number of regulars. The fight was still going on when the train drew out of sight, but on the return trip the train was stopped near the scene of the con flict and the wounded soldiers were taken aboard From one of the wounded soldiers 1t was learned that after the train passed the insurgents withdrew, taking their wounded The Spanish were content to hold the field and did not pursue.
 In Matanzas Senator Proctor was the guest of Consul Brice, who freely ex- pressed his mind on the condition of affairs in the province A visit was paid to Convent Monserrat, where same re- concentrates are being cared for. The convent overlooks the Yumuri Valley. which, the Senator says, presents an ap- pearance of desolation and destruction. such as was not seen even in the South during the civil war.
 The Senator expressed to me much surprise at the open manner in which he was approached by a messenger from Gomez and also by other agents of the Cubans, who apparently had no fear of the Spanish authorities, talking of the insurrection as if 1t could by no pos sibility be of interest to the government. The return from Matanzas was made without incident other than bringing in some wounded insurgents.
 All sorts of wild rumors are current about the demonstration which may be made by the volunteers when the Almirante Oquendo arrives. She is expected daily A meeting of volunteer officers was held last night in the Mil itary Club and a messenger was sent to General Parade with the announce ment that unless assurances were given that the volunteers would not be disbanded or disarmed, as contemplat- ed by the autonomist platform, they could not be held responsible for the action of the men, who were declared to be in the mood for desperate meas ures to secure their rights. It was in timated that the arrival of the Oquendo would be seized upon as the proper occasion for a Weyler demon stration. An attempt was made also to obtain audience with Captain-Gen eral Blanco, but the latter pleaded ill., ness and referred the matter to Gen eral Parado General Parade clearly demonstrated the fear the palace au- thorities have of the volunteers as an organization by giving them prompt assurance that the report was untrue
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