Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-08-28
CUBAN GOVERNMENT FORCE is
VICTOR IN sKlRMlsH NEAR
SAN LUIS STATION.
REBELS TAKE TOWN;
ARE SOON DlSLODGED
Outcome of Expected Battle with
Pine Guerra in Doubt-suesestion
That Roosevelt Appoint Commits
sion to Arrange Peace.

peCtatlOn OF giving battle to Pine |
Guerra, the insurgent leader, had a |
skirmish with band of rebels near
San Luis station, Pinar del Rio, with |
the result that the rebels were dis
persed and that the troops captured
five horses.
A band of SO insurgents entered the
village of Colorro, South Havana, took
all the horses, ammunition and sup
plies and rode away, later joining a
larger band said to number $50 men.
Insurgents Driven from Town.
The village of Arroyo Naranjo, five
miles from Havana, was occupied by
force of insurgents during the night
A detachment of mounted city and
provincial police proceeded to Arroyo
Naranjo early Saturday. and the in
surgents who had occupied that place
scattered as the government force ap-
preached.
Advices from Pinar del Rio and
vicinity indicate that the outcome of
the expected battle between the gov
eminent troops and the insurgents
under Pine Guerra is more in doubt
than the officials at the palace are
willing to admit.
Guerra is believed to have 1000
men who can be depended upon. They
are reported to be well equipped with
arms and ammunition.
1t is suspected the insurgent lead
ers withdrawal from San Luis and
San Juan was ruse to attract the
government troops from their base at
Pinar del Rio.
Expected to Attack Soon.
A sudden descent upon Pinar del
Rio in the event that Palma's troops
do not take an early offensive would
not surprise those well informed
The city has less than 1000 armed
defenders and the strength of the
civilian loyalty is in doubt
So far there has been no serious
disaffection in the cities, but in the
surrounding districts. where the peo-
pie are less in touch with official life,
the situation so far as can be learned
is not reassuring.
The government is equipping so
coastwise steamers as gunboats, to
carry troops with guns and ammuni-
ton to all coast points. These will
be landed at night and the troops will
attempt to surprise the rebels.
Senior Zayas, who was the liberal
candidate for vice president, says
leading men are urging President
Palma to call conference of promi-
nent Cubans to consider solution of
the trouble.
Government agents have sailed for
the United States to purchase horses.
This indicates long warfare.
Suggest ceE1nission by Roosevelt.
Among the suggestions made with
the view to bringing ABOUT a peaceful
settlement of the insurrection is that
of conceding to the liberals the an
nulmsnt Of the December elections
and holding new ones, m which both
political parties, the Moderates and
the Liberals. shall participate fairly
and freely. Another is that COM
mission be appointed by President
Roosevelt to investigate the matters
In dispute, and It is also proposed
that commission composed Of gov
ernmeAt supporters and insurgents,
OF which tue American minister here
shall be chairman, be appointed to
decide upon basis OF settlement.
None of the plans appears practical
The government Is wholly unlikely to
begin negotiations OF any sort at this
stage. but 1t is suggested that promi
nent men from each province be sum
moned to Havana to consult Jointly
with the president. Gyep this is I'm.
likely. 1t is SO necessary to take &C.
tive measures to suppress the insur-
rection that 1t Is impraot!cable to
spend time in discussion.
Gen. Rodriguez, COMMANDER of the
Rural Guards. and zen. Rojas. com.
mander OF the artillery, had a long
conference Saturday morning. with
President Palma. at wL-ch the cam;
paign plans were discussed.
Americans Raise Stars asd Stripes.
The stars and stripes are flying con
spicuously from points Of vantage or
American owned properties through
put the districts. Scruplleusly re
spected by both the government,
forces and the rowing bands OF insur
rectiopists, the emblem of the United
States is perhaps exerting moral
/, influence over Egber-minded Cubans.
Senator Norma Gampos Marqueti
liberal. who has espoused the cause
of the insurgents, has publicly adEo
Gated the appointment by President
Roosevelt Of a commission 10 investi
gate the charges Of fraud in c0nnec
ton with the last elections. Other
prominent men ipdorse the idea.
Senator Norma Camros Marqueti
liberal. who has Joined the revolution
lists, says the rebel chiefs have a full.
formed plan which they will gradual.
work out He says that honest cleo
tiolis must be granted by the govern
menf. The rebels are fighting for ;
cause. ant, not for one man. The!
who is legally elected, even Estrada
Palma.
Cabinet crisfs Settled.
The cabinet crisis, 1t u officially
announced, has been satisfactorily az.
ranged. Senior O'Farrill has consent
cd to retain his own positions. those
OF secretary OF state and OF justice
withdrawing only from the interior
department. Senior Font Sterling and
Gen. Montalyo will continue ad in
term in charge Of the ministry OF
the interior When Gen. Ruis Rivera
Cuban minister to Central and South
American countries, who has beer
cabled to return immediately to Cubs