The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-24
General Bandera, One Of Chief
Leaders, is Killed With
Two Companions
P|NO GUERRA DEFIANTLY
THREATENS RAILROAD
Toabcco Importers Are Growing Un-
easy and Immense Supplies Are
Being Rushed to Tampa
for Emergencies.

Havana. August 23.-Font Sterling. Sec
retary of the Treasury, late tonight
cleared up in statement to the Asso-
ciated Press a misleading announcement
made at the palace tonight to the enect
that the Cuban government had asked the
United States for eight rapid fire guns,
manned by American artillerymen, to be
used in the suppression of the insurrec-
tion The facts are, according to the Sec
retary. the government has ordered from
an American arms manufacturing COM
pany four rapid fire guns, and that these
pieces will be manned by former mem
bers of the artillery branch of the Amer
lean army now here. If these guns prove
TO be effective, four or more additional
guns will be ordered
1t is expected that experienced gunners
ean be procured in the United States to
man them The United States has not
been asked to do anything in the premises.
The subject of American intervention
Is not much discussed here, and is re-
earded as a remote possibility, there be-
ing general confidence that the govern
ment will be able to restore order In
short time.
Heavy Blow to Insurrection.
The killing of the insurrectionary leader
General Quentin Bandera today, In an
engagement between rural guards and
band of his followers. is regarded as deal
ing the insurrection a heavy blow. The
government is acting with energy In send
ing rural guards and volunteers against
the Santa Clara rebels, and in dispatehing
$50 more men to defend Pinar del Rio
against Pine Guerra The capture Oh san
Juan de Martinez by Guerra's band was
not a great surprise, though 1t was not
expected to occur SO soon.
The place was protected by very small
detachment of rural guards while Guer-
ra,s strength was much greater. The TAX
Ing of Pinar del Rio will be quite another
matter. since there are in that vicinity
twice as many troops as the insurgent
Pine Guerra can muster. 1t Is regarded as
more than probable that the troops will
take the offensive, and II possible ora"
Guerra into an open fght.
While government reinforcements are
going forward, Guerra's following is not
believed to have been greatly augmented
nv his occupancy of the two Vuelta Aba
10 towns.
Public Opinion Varies.
public opinion appears to vary according
to locality in enthusiastic adherence to
the government or open rebellion.
In this city the general attitude is one
of LOYALTY. The opposition and independ-
ent newspapers discuss with analytical
coldness the cry that il the government
Is NOT able to squsch the insurrection
within two months other forceful means
must be employed for the restoration OF
peace. ~.
There are no ringing calls to arms. The
moderate newspapers print with approval
the resolutions declaring adhesion 10 the
government by their party organizations,
but there has been nothing which could
he fairly described as a general rising of
the people in defense of the government
Ordered to Plnar del Rio.
Colonel Rojas and all three of the COM
panies of artillery stationed in the Ha-
vana forts have been ordered to Pinar del
Rio, the authorities considering that Ha-
yana is sufficiently guarded by rural
guards and police and the new city
guards.
President Palma will personally defray
the expenses of General Bandera's fu-
neral. The members of the staff of Gen.
Maxine Gomez in the last war for in
dependence met today and resolved to
offer their services at the funeral.
Pino Guerra has sent threatening mes
sages TO members of the Agraran league,
stating that he will pillage their planta-
tions IL they organize forces against the
insurrection.
In consequence of Guerra's threats
against the Western railroad, orders have
been issued to permanently guard every
railroad bridge between Pinar del Rio and
San Juan de Martinez, and to erect
breastworks opposite each bridge to be oc-
cupied by troops. The editor and reporter
Of the newspaper La Vida have been i'm
prisoned for questionable utterances.
The PIatt Amendment.
The Platt amendment. the legisla-
tion which defined the conditions on which
tba United States should withdraw from
T,uha and turn the island over to the con-
frol of the Cuban people was known. pro-
v,ded that a part of the new republics
constitution should contain certain provi-
sions concerning the future relations Of
The limited states with Cuba. The third
of these provisions were as follows:
."rhat the government of Cuba consents
that the United States may exercise the
right to intervene for the preservation
of Cuban independence, the maintenance
of a government adequate for the protee-
tion of life, property and individual lib
erty and for discharging the obligations
with respect to Cuba imposed by the
treaty of Paris on the United States now
to be assumed and undertaken by the gov
ernment of Cuba
Confident of Her Ability.
Washington August 23.-Cuba is enlist