The Washington times., 1906-09-16
Anxiety to Know If
They VIII Land
and Fight
Guerra.
REBELS BIG ARMY
NEARING THE CITY
Can Take Cuban Capital
Without Doubt If
Americans Re-
main Passive.

HAVANA. Cuba. Sept. 15.-With
Pine GueTra's iBsurgent army with
in distance TO effect a junction with
the armies Of Gen. Loynaz Del Cas-
tillo and Colonel Asbert, and then
move on the capital. Havana to-
night is in an uproar. debating the
question Of whether the insurgents
will attack the city tomorrow.
Another question being asked is
whether. in the event Of an attack.
men from the cruisers Denver and
( Des MOlnes. which arrived here to-
day. will be used 10 defend the
place. There is no answer to either
question, and the greatest alarm
therefore exists.
Guerra. coming from Pinar Del
Rio province. after leaving Colonel
Ayalos. commanding the most ef-
! fectiYe loyal army, stranded and
! helpless near Consolation Del Sur
/ BY cutting the railroad tracks and
blowing up bridges. has reached
Artemisa. fifteen miles from Ha-
Yana, by direct road this morning.
General Castillo and Colonel AsbeFt
IN the meantime have cleared all
the country about Havana city Of
loyal troops. Guerra's line Of
march makes So easy for the in
surgent commander by short
detour 10 join Castillo and Asbert.
who this evening held Wajay.
twelve miles from the capital.
Rebels Have Strong Army.
Between them Guerra, Castillo. and
Asbert have over 5005 men. The gov
ernment force IN Havana numbers 5000
exclusive Of policemen and volunteers
enlisted In the last few days The In
sargents have practically 2 free road
into the capital. as the government dare
not send its smaller army out 10 meet
them, as q defeat would mean absolute
ruin
1t IS generally recognized that the
only thing which can prevent the cap
ture Of Havana by the insurgents is for
the United States bluetackets and mar
ines TO oppose them with arms. The
loyal army may be able 80 delay their
entrance II battle ts offered I'm the
streets. where house to house lighting
tactics may be adopted. But ultimate
capture OF the city without assistance
from the American forces Is regarded
as certain.
All Depends on Americans
In view Of the stand taken hy Presi-
dent Roosevelt IN serving notice that
the insurrectlon must end. Havana cit
liens are hopeful that ia case OF attack
the iacgies and marines will fight the
insurgents. This insures the safety OF
the city. On the other hand II The
Americans remain passive Guerra may
take the city before nightfal.
If Guerra IS given 10 understand that
the Americans viii be employed against
him II he attacks the city It is general
Iy believed he VIII not risk an engage
meni, Instead the insurgents viii prob
ably approach within 8 few miles of the
capital and tntrench themselves. They
would thus be in a position to show the
world that only the presence of Amer
leans there prevented them from bring
ing the Palma Regime TO a sudden and
disastrous conclusion.
Moral Effect Great.
The moral effect OF such a move Is
apparent. II this can be done the in
surgeuts will be IN a strong position 10
enforce considerable concessions when
Taft and Bacon arrive here
Rs peace commissioners 20 arrange q
settlement if possible.