The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-29
EVENTS IN HAVANA.
What Has Been Transpiring in the Cuban
Capital.

Correspondence of Associated Press.
From Spanish correspondent
Havana, August 2S.-According to
official figures, it is show that prior to
the beginning of hostilities between Spain
and the United States, anfaggregate of
about $4,000 tons of provisions was i'm
ported monthly at all the ports of Cuba,
but that since the commencement OF. the
war the loss in volume of these imports
has amounted to 223, GOO TONS
The Monendez line of coastiug steam
ers has lost five vessels since the Ameri-
can invaded the island. as follows:
The Argonaute, captured by American
warships at Cienfuegos; the Reina de los
Angeles, seized at Santiago de Cuba after
the capitulation of that place, and the
Jose Garcia, Gloria and Purissima Con-
ception, burned during the bombardment
of the port of Manzanillo.
On the night of July 27th, the insur-
gent leader, Juan Hernandez was killed
in fight with Spanish guerilla force
which had ambushed his party. The
Spaniards had one soldier wounded.
On the 9th the insurgents had an en-
counter with Spanish troops near Place
tas, in the province Of Santa Clara, which
resulted in the killing of one insurgent
and the wounding Of 10 others. A Span
ish cap tain was wounded.
On July 20, committse representing
the guards and Jail employees of this city,
presented a request to the civil governor
that they be paid at least portion OF
their long overdue salaries.
Reports received here on July % from
the province of Puerto Principe show
that provisions were quite scarce and the
little to be had was held at exorbitant
prices. The civil authorities had received
no salary for eight months and most OF
them had resi- isned their places. Special
efforts were being made to maintain the
efficiency of the civil hospital and the
civil governor had given orders that
everything possible be done in this direc-
tion.
According to the data furnished by the
civil government, the deaths In Santa
Clara city during the month of May
numbered 2.265, and curing the month
of June, 2,265.
From July 26 toTAugust l, many per-
SONS arrived at Havana and Caibarien
from Puerto Principe, Nuevitas, Gibara
and adjacent places, which had been
abandoned by the Spanish forces
The village of Jibaro. near Sancti
Spirltus province of Santa Clara, was re-
Gently taken by tine insurgents who, it is
said, captured IS Cuban guerillas whom
they macheted in most savage man
ner, merely because they were natives OF
the island. Later advices from Jibro say
that on July 10 the place was attacked by
insurgents under Brig. Gen. Jose Miguel
Gomez, who employed cannon in the as
sault upon the forts which were defended
by Spanish regular troops and guerillas.
The attack was successful and the insur-
gents captured the place. OF the Span
ish 40 were killed, 70 wounded and 80
taken prisoners.
The governor of Matanzas on August 8,
issued bande, establishing the contri
button "to be levied on every person who
brings viands and other products to the
Matanzas market for sale."
This contribution" is to be given in
the form of certain portion of each of
the various products brought by the ven
dors as follows: For every Is pounds of
bananas l 1-2 pounds to the municipali-
ty; fer every 20 pounds of pumpkins, 2
pounds; every 10 pounds of bread, /
nouud and for every i25 pounds of each
Of the other products, pounds. The
dealer will be allowed to send their goods
to other parts of the province only when
the local consumption is satisfied and
when this is done an extra contribution
is to be levied. Reports Efrom Cabarien
say that on August 20 an American ship
captured at Cayo, France, the Norwegian
steamer Franklin, and the launches Dos
Amigos and Remedio. The last named
being empty, was abandoned by the Ame-
ricans, but the Franklin and Dos Amigos
L. L.