Arizona republican., 1906-08-28
AMNESTY FOR
 CUBAN REBELS
Doubt Concerning Its Reg.
 uIarity or Acceptance
Guerra Says There Will Be No Peace Until Last Elec- tiOn is Annulled.

Havana, Aug 27.-At the moment today when the government was issu- ing it's proclamation offering pardon to rebels who would lay down their arms. it's forces were dealing the most telling blows that have yet been struck against the insurgents in the field. For several days it had been stated that General Guzman's force of insur- gents, which was variously estimated at from 200 upward, contemplated an attack on Cienfuegos. Colonel Valale, with a detachment of rural guards, was dispatched to Cienfuegos for the purpose of engaging Guzman and breaking up the band. The encounter of the two forces today resulted in the worst disaster which the insur- gents have sustained up to this time. They lost seventeen men killed and many wounded. while the loss to the government force was one man killed. The government is without further particulars of the fight.
 That the insurrection is in a shaky condition seems to be a fact, although the end may not be as near as has been. reported. Pino Guerrera insur- gent leader, operating in Pinar Del Rio province, in a signed statement telegraphed to the Associated Press tonight declares he is as determined as ever that the last presidential election shall be annulled before there can be peace in Cuba. That Guerrera's force of 2000 men is weIlarmed and sup piled with ammunition and food is amply verified. Their greatest draw back now is lack of money, but the people of the western part of Pinar Del Rio are furnishing them with all supplies needed, taking in return therefor orders on the Cuban govern ment" and in many cases refusing to accept any consideration.
 The governments offer of amnesty which was issued this afternoon is variously received. It is impossible to say what it's effect will be on those to whom it is addressed Alfredo Zayas. president of the senate and leader of the liberal party. stated to- night that he was unable to express any opinion as to whether the insur- gents would grasp the opportunity of fered them of surrenderings but said in his opinion as a lawyer, Secretary Montalvo could not legally issue such 1 an order. for the constitution pro- vides that only the president may make such proclamation, which must | be countersigned by some member of the cabinet. Secretary Montalvo on the contrary stated to the Associated ] Press that the offer of clemency was | issued by the direct order of Presi- | dent Palma and also gazetted off | cially. The secretary added that the l document was in reality an order of the secretary of the interior, issued by ! direction of the president to General Rodriguez. commander of the rural guards.
 | The foreign element, including many Americans, criticize the offer of ann nesty as a weak and disappointing ac- tioh, showing a desire for peace at any price and willingness to sacrifice the possibility of future security to a pres ent expediency.
 l Secretary MontalvOs' order does not i provide for the relief of the alleged l conspirators who are now in jail ir Havana. and the question has arisen as to what shall be done with them A considerable number of insurgents are known to be returning quietly tC their homes in the province of Havana and in the eastern part of the province of Pinar Del Rio. In the latter prov. ince the situation remains unchanged Guerra knows nothing of the MOntalvC
 order. and, if he did. it is altogether
 unlikely that it would affect his course
 materially. At present there is every
 reason for expecting that Guerra vii
 hold out for some time to come.
 The district in which he is operating | is inhabited by liberals who are prac- 1 tically all tentative. if not active, sym
 pathizers with the insurrection. Then
 too, Guerra has hilly fastnesses stC | which he retires nightly and iron
 to rout him. A favorable feature o
 the situation in Pinar Del Rio is tha
 Guerra will not fight if he can help it
 He intends. he says. to remain out in
 definitely in protest against the sub
 servience of the Palma administration
 The Associated Press is reliably in
 formed that Asberts force, the mall insurgent body now in the province O
 Havana, amounts to 150 men, and tha
 there are not exceeding 100 more il
 small parties.
 The eastern part of the province O Pinar Del Rio is practically unpro i tected, but there have been only pett. depredatiOns there by small bands. There is some question whether tn Santa Clara band. calling then1selve Mendietta's party, were actually com
 manded by the captured leader, but un :, doubtedly he was with them most O : the time.
 The Matanzas insurgents cut littl , figure, and eastern Cuba remains quie
 CUBA NOT RECOGNIZED.