The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-22
BEATEN FROM ESPERANZA.
SPANISH EFFORT TO TAKE THE
CUBAN GOVERNMENT FAILS.

Ger. Cnstellnnos Rspulsed by Gen. Recio, Aided
by President R1nso, with Heavy Loss, ana
Forced Rack to Puerto PrIncIpe-His situa-
ton Critical, but Mediterranean Coming.
HAVANA. Jan. 81, via Key west-Just as this
despatch leaves for Key West by special courier
tho news Is spread here Of tho most important
battle fought In the Cuban war since Gen. Mar
tinez Campos was routed in Peraloja by Gen.
Maceo. The Spanish have failed in an attempt
to take the seat of the Cuban Government.
The now Government Of the republic Of Cuba,
moved. about a month ego. from tho mountains
Of Cubitas. In which 1t had it's official residence
for moro than two years, to the town Of Espe-
| rama. seventeen leagues from the Spanish capt.
tai OF Puerto Principe. From La Esperanza
President Maso and his Cabinet issued their
orders to the army, and the Cuban General,
Lopo Recio Loynaz, commander Of the escort
forces OF President Maso. established his head
quarters there. constantly threatening the city
Of puerto Principe.
Two weeks ago Gen. Blanco ordered tho Span
ish commander Of Puerto Principe. Gen. Jimenes
Castellanos, to make an effort to dislodge the
Cubans from La Esperanza and II possible to
capture the Cuban Government. Castellanos
| received achievements to that end and he
| promised to do his best. No news were re-
| ceivcd from him until this morning when
1t WAS reported that after o battle
which lasted two whole days he met
| defeat. losing the majority of his staff and over
100 soldiers. he reiterated to Puerto Principe,
and the Cubans followed him. The Spanish
battalions Of yergara and valladolid have
| started to reinforce him. Both battalions wcre
| operating in Pinar del Rio province, but Gen.
Blanco ordered their Colonels to embark imme-
diately with them on the steamer Mortera for
thA aaat ThA yraafacf nnnrahnn aim Ia felf In
| tho palace that Puerto Principe will fall into
the hands Of the Insurgents at any moment.
In the battle of La Esperanza the forces Of
Gen. Castellanos numbered, according to the
Spanish official report that will DO published
this evening by La Lucha and the Didrio. 1900
infantrymen,4 400 cavalrynen, and a company
of artillery with two field pieces. The insur-
gents were about 5000. almost all cavalry, but
with artillery also. President Maho personally
led one of the Cuban wings. though tho military
! commander OF the whole Cuban Army was Gen.
Lope Recio.
Among the Spanish officers killed was Col.
Lopez Monjo. The fighting continued without
cessation from Jan. IL in the afternoon to Jan.
IA in the evening, whom Gen. Jimenez Castel-
lanos gave up and retired to Puerto Principe.
Tho Cuban losses did not amount to 100. Tho
Spaniards say that the Cubans held superior
positions during the engagement. owing to the
thickness of the woods among which they pro-
tected the bulk of their forces.
THE OFFICIAL SPANISH ccoUN
HAVANA. Jan. 21.-The official statement
| given out late to-day about the battle at La rs.
peranza. near Cubitas. in Puerto Principe. says
that the Cuban Government. with $500 men
was ousted by Gen. Jimenez Castollanos and
that the battle was OF the utmost Importance.
1t Is also stated that the Cuban leader. Chucho
| Monteagudo, angry at the surrender Of Juan
Maso PARA, which was reported yesterday.
rallied several insurgent bands in the province
of Santa Clara and last night entered tho town
OF La Esperanto in the same province. Monte
agudo, the official report says. took advantage Of
tho darkness to try to raid the town. At last
| the garrison rcpulsed him and pursued HIM with
three bodies OF cavalry. Nine insurgents were
killed. The Spanlards lost one corporal killed
and two privates wounded.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 21.-The following tele-
| gram. dated Havana. Jan. 81. and signed by
Secretary General Congosto of the new civil
Government of Cuba, was received by the Span
| ish Minister tonight and furnished to the news
papers:
Gen. Castellanos has taken possession of the
village Of Esperanto. in the Sierra de Cubitas.
where the insurgent Government had its loca-
| ton. During the stubborn resistance made by
| the insurgents their government escaped. The
next day. continuing his operations. tho same
General defeated a body of $500 insurgents
scattering them in all directions and killing
ffty-nine."
THE aUN ID