New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-03
BLANCOS CAMPAIGN OYER.
THERP WILL RE DISAPPOINTMENT IN MADRID
NSURGENT sUCCEssEs-THE sITUA-
TON IN HAVANA.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE,

iBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRGBUNE.1
Havana, Feb. . via Key West-General
Blanco is returning to Havana along the north
coast Two or three lesser insurgent chiefs with
followers may present themselves at Gibara or
Nuevitas but not enough toSnake an impression
The Spanish classes were induced to believe
that Rabl and other important commanders
would be persuaded" into accepting autonomy.
The salient fact is that these insurgent COM
manders signalized Blanco's presence in San
tiago Province by successful military operations.
The extent II their success can only be gathered
through the Spanish official version. This ad-
mits that General Luque was forced to retreat
last week from Camazon TO HolGuin after an
encounter with the insurgents under Calxto
Garcia and Rabi. Luque's son and other off,
GERS were killed. The Spanish losses In killed
and wounded exceeded hundred. The in
surgent losses are not known The troops were
two days reaching Hogun. At the same time
General Linares reached Holguin after a retreat
from Bayamo. No losses are credited to MS
forces The newspapers attempting 10 publish
facts contained In official reports were sup
pressed by censorship. The insurgent accounts
when received may magnify Luque's defeat and
Lnares retreat. yet the facts are important
to an understanding Of the military situation In
the Eastern provinces. 1t seems to establish the
hopelessness Of the troops making headWay
there against the insurgents. The soldiers are
also suffering greatly from fever and other SICK
ness
In EncruJidada Santa Clara Province last
Saturday the insurgents raded the sugar es-
tate Constancia, which was grinding against
Gomezs orders. The estate was strongly guard
ed The known loss Of the Spanish forces are
sixteen killed and eight wounded. The lhsur-
gents lost Gonzales their CHIEF, anc his lieu
tenant Grinding has not been resumed
Skirmishing has taken place in Havana and
Pnar del Rio Provinces without marked ad-
vantage to either side. These military opera
tions are not conclusive. They are meant by
the insurgents to offset any success Banco
might have in securing presentados and to show
their ability to continue lighting In that sense
their demonstrations are succ assful. Though
Blanco's mission seems TO have been practically
fruitless no hostile demonstration Is likely 10
greet his return The disappointment probably
will be greater in Madrid because more hau
been expected by the Sagasta Ministry.
The bomb explosions caused uneasiness mere;
The one on Sunday night was or dynamite ar anu
powerful enough TO shake the whole ciS, We ne
claim is made that the purpose was priVate re- -
venge and that there was nothing poltce IN
f. also that the police nave the p'rpe, a'oiS III
custody Both statements are doubte1.
Circulars against Americans ana Gaining on
,oval STANDARDS 10 resent the presence OF the
Maine and other Yankee "outrages are scat-
tered through the city. but should be heaNHg
Siscounted They are strelked with yellow jour
na1isr Internal evidences are oil against their
on uanating from the Havana lntransigentes' lhe
feeling among the popultce seems BROWNE YET
nothing in the nature OF anti-Amercan demon
stration IS yet visible. The officers Of the Maine
continue 10 receive ard reciprocate oiiicial
cCUrtesies. . 4. =. .
state Department Of the circumstances attend
ing the killing Of Aanguren and the Saisa
women and children by the Spanish troops