The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1906-08-25
GUERRA HAS BIG BAND
Fifteen Hundred to Two Thou
sand Rebels Threaten Pinas
del Rio.
BLOODY BATTLE NEAR HAVANA

Insurgents Ambush Forty FIVE Cow
ernment Recruits, Killing Three and
Routing Rest-Palma on Duty Day
and Nisht-His Son Enists In the
Militia.
Havana, Aug. 25.-Unofficial advices
received from the western part of the
province of Pinar del Rio are to the
effect that the insurgent forces now
concentrating west of San Juan de
Martinez are far more formidable than
had been supposed and also are better
supplied for camping and long and
aggressive campaign.
A prominent resident of Havana
whose word is beyond question re-
turned from three days tour in the
vicinity of San Luis and San Juan de
Martinez. He stated that Pine Guer-
ra's following In Pinar del Rio now
is certainly from 1,500 to 1000 men.
He said the idea of his not having
sufficient ammunition was ridiculous
and that he is abundantly supplied
with every possible necessity. The
| behavior of his forces is excellent
All the tobacco plantations owned by
Americans and other American prop
critics are flying the American flag,
this gentleman declared, and are not
being molested. He said the insur-
rectionists had eight mules loaded with
dynamite and that lately they had re-
ceived supplies from unknown sources.
He positively declared that fully a
hundred members of the rural guard
had deserted and joined the insurree-
tionists since the trouble began and
that practically all Cubans in western
Cuba now were sympathizers with the
movement
Colonel Jose Estrampes, with forty
five recruits from Havana, was fred
upon by eighty insurgents ambushed
behind wall near Guines. The re-
| cruits were routed, and three of them
were killed and six wounded
Word has been received here from
| Santiago that General Jesus Rabi,
with 1000 veterans, will come to the
Yuelta Abajo to help put down the
| insurrection. This, however, is not
confirmed
To Buy Horses In Texas.
The government, it is understood,
has sent to Texas to buy 1000 horses
for the army. The government al
ready has bought 500 horses here.
The government has cabled to Gen
| eral Rius Rivera, minister to Central
and South American countries, to re-
turn Immediately to Cuba. The re-
| ported arrest of Orestes Ferrera is de-
MED, but it is admitted that he is un-
der surveillance. General Jose Miguel
| Gomez at his formal arraignment de-
MED the allegation that he had engag
ed in a conspiracy against the govern
| ment.
San Juan de Martinez, which on
! Thursday was occupied by band of
insurgents under command of Pine
| Guerra, is again in possession of the
constituted forces of the republic.
| Troops under command of Colonels
| Bacallao and Avalo arrived there from
| Pinar del Rio, but news of their COM
ing had preceded them by several
hours, and before they arrived the last
| of Guerra's men had left, taking with
them all the horses they could gather.
1
| The government troops now at San
| Juan de Martinez consist of 250 artil-
l lerymen and fifty raw recruits. They
are quartered in the churches and 9TH
| er public buildings.
There is grave doubt if they would
| be able to withstand an attack by the
forces Of Pine Guerra.
PaIna's Son EnIists.
Aside from slight encounters in the
provinces of Havana and Santa Clara.
nothing of Importance has transpired
there. The enlistment of rural guards
and volunteers is going on very slowly
in the provinces, but in the city of Ha-
vaRa enlistments are somewhat better
Tomas Estrada Palma, Jr., has join
ed the Havana city militia. The city
council has appropriated $4,000 for
! the support Of the city militia, Of
which there are two divisions, the in
terror and the exterior, under command
| of General Sanchez Agramonte.
The government expects that the
steamer Mexico, which will sail from
New York today, will bring eighteen
rapid fire guns, 100000 cartridges
and 10000 Lee rifles.
President Palma has not left the pal
ace this week. He is constantly re-
eeiving reports, holding consultations
and issuing orders. He IS assisted in
his work by his two right hand men in
the cabinet, Font Sterling, secretary of
the treasury, and General Rafael Mon
talvo, secretary of public works, who
since the resignation of Senior O'Far-
rill secretary of state and justice. di-
| vide the duties of those offices between
them. The three continue at their work
until nearly morning. President Pal
ma bears the strain of his labors re-
markably well, considering his age,
and does not appear especially fatigued
in spite of the arduous nature of the
duties he has performed for the last
| four years, contending most of the time
with hostile congress. The president
is hopeful of the outcome and is conf
dent of the loyalty of Cubans in gen
eral.
Revolt Spreads to Tampa.