New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-16
THE GUSSIE'S TRIP FAILS.
AN UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORT TO LAND
ARMS IN CUBA.
CAPTAIN DORST FOUND THE ENEMY IN
STEAD OF INSURGENTS AT BOTH
CABANAS AND MATANZAS
Copyright; 1898: The Associated Press.)

Copyright: 1898: The Associated Press)
Key West. Fla. May 15.-The steamer Gussie.
which left Tampa Fla. on May 10 with two
companies of the 1st Regular Infantry on board.
conveying 1000 rifles and 200 900 rounds OF
ammunition intended for the insurgents In the
provinces Of Pinar del Rio and Matanzas. re-
mained off the coast OF Cuba on Thursday.
Friday and yesterday conveyed by the auxil-
larry gunboat Manning. In a vain attempt to
iand her cargo. Captain J. II. Dorst. of the staff
or General Miles, headed the expedition. which
returned here this morning. He said the Gusse
would return to Tampa
On Friday morning Captain Dorst abandoned
the attempt to land at Cabanas and steamed
eastward to Matanzas, where an arrangement
had been made with the insurgents to send
supplies ashore at Point Maya, a mile or so east
OF the entrance to the harbor
sPANIARDs SHOT TOO SOON
The Gussie and her convoy yesterday morn
ing steamed In to about two miles of shore,
when the rattle Of musketry from a considerable
force OF Spanish soldiers concealed behind
underbrush warned them that they would re-
ceve lively welcome II they landed. The
Spanish troops seemed to have been furrished
with information Of the contemplated landing
at both places. After this second failure Cap
tain DORIS. decided TO abandon the attempt 10
land the arms and ammunition and return 10
Key West
more disgusted-looking lot OF soldiers than
those aboard the Gussic this morning It would
be hard TO find. They had received orders not
to speak Of their trip and sullenly lined the
rail Of the Gussie as the Associated Press launch
ran alongside Of her. Grunts were the only
answers which could he obtained to the ques-
Sle1 Oft he ~ ba Cue
sic Captain Dorst was rowed ashore, where he
TO the War Department.
WARSHIPS NEEDED TO HELP HIM
Naval officers here say that II Captain Dorst
had secured the cooperation OF some OF the
ships Of the hlockading squadron at the place
selected for the landing the Spanish troops
ashore could have been shelled and a way
would have been cleared for the debarkation Of
the soldiers and the cargo they had in charge.
But no instructions given to the ships to
cooperate with Captain Dorst's expedition. and
the Gussie. while cruising up and down the
coast. was several times compelled to hcave to
b. vessels whose commanders were under the
apprehension that she was trying TO run the
blockade.
The United States gunboat Machias. which
| was lying off Matanzas on Friday night report
ed that signal lights were seen ashore east Of
Point Sabia, and some Of her officers say they
believe the insurgents, having ascertaiHed that
the rendezvous at Point Maya had been dscov-
cred by the enemg desired landing 10 be made
at another place.
Captain Dorst did not return empty-handcd.
however. He captured prisoner Of war at
Cabanas
TALK WITH CAPTAIN DORsT
Captain Doret says the failure OF the exped,
tior was due 70 the fact that the Cubans were
unable TO meet the landing party at the rcndez-
vous, and the Americans could rot land supplies
with no one to receive them The arrangements
for making a landing at Cahanas were made ten
days ago by Captain Dorst with General Del
gado in command OF the insurgent forces in the
province OF Pinar del Rio. and the supplies TO
be landed near Matanzas were 70 be conveyed
TO General Gomez by force Of insurgents en-
camped three miles back from he coast line
Both OF the Cuban parties were unable, appar-
emily. to appear at the rendezvous. owing to the
activity OF the Spaniards.
The captain is convinced that the Spaniards
have a good system OF communication along
the coast and that they car quickly mass
enough troops 10 prevent the landing OF a small
force such as the he commanded He be-
lieves the only way arms and ammunition can
he sent the insurgents is TO land them under
the cover Of warships. with guns sufficient to
beat of any attack. Then. he adds. the arms
and ammunition should he conveyed inland by
United States soldiers.
THE BRUSH AT CARANAs
The company whi,h landed through the surf
at Cabanas had a narrow escape. The soldiers
were fired on by Spanish cavalry concealed in
the tangled underbrush. and the fire was replied
20. with the result that one Spanish officer and
three men hit Only one man on the
American side wounded The latter.
newspaper correspond nj. received a slight flesh
wound in the arm. The Wasp and the Manning
shelled the woods. and covered the retreat Of
the soldiers to the Cussle
On Friday the Spaniards tried to hit the Gus
sic from a masked battery. and some Of their
shells burst close by. but none Of the fragments
struck.
I-DEECH CHNCTT CEAHN H0R ED())