The San Francisco call., 1906-09-08
CUBAN INSURGENTS
REJECT PEACE
OVERTURES.
General Guerra Answers the
Governments Proposal
by Blowing Up Bridges
BRITISH RAILROAD
PROPERTY RUINED
Grave Complications May
Ensue From Latest Act
Of Rebellious Islanders

HAVANA, Sept. All peace over
lures were blocked today by the re
fusal Of Pino Guerra. the insurgent
leader in Pinar del Rio province, TO
enter into any arrangement for an ar
mistice. Guerra's answer TO the gov
ernment's announcement of its arrange
ments TO grant ten days armistice
was the blowing UP Of two bridges on
the Western Railway, the cutting Of
railway communication beyond Pinar
del Rio City and an attack on San Juan
de Martinez. II is believed here to-
night that San Juan de Martinez is in
the hands OF the insurgents and that
the garrison. consisting OF 100 gov
ernrent recruits and a small force OF
mounted Rural Guards. has been de-
feated or captured.
The fact that other leaders Of the
insurrection are willing 10 agree to an
armistice can have little effect as long
as Guerra is determined to prosecute
the war. and there is slight doubt in
any quarter that Guerra can control
the situation in his region His force
is reported by all those who have visit
ed him recently. as ranging from 5000
10 1000 men. all of them well mounted
and some Of them well and others in
differently armed.
The Government force opposed to
him. which is under command of Colo
nel Avalos. comprises about 1000 men
II was reinforced at : o'clock this even
ing by Colonel Cloves with $50 men and
three machine guns from Havana.
Colonel AvaIos' force. with the excep-
ticn OF small detachments left at San
Juan de Martinez and San Luis, is at
Pinar del Rio City. but is without
means OF transportation TO go to the
relief Of San Juan de Martinez. Not
more than 400 of them are mounted.
ENGLISH PROPERTY DESTROYED.
General Menocal said tonight that
Guerra evidently had not been informed
tlsat the Government had actually. al
though informally, granted an armis-
tioe, adding that a second committee
had been sent TO him. but could not
reach him before tomorrow.
The fact is. however. that Guerra re-
fuses pointblank to accept an armistice
except on condition that the last Pres
idential and Congressional elections be
consent to this is out of the question,
and tonight every prospect points to the
continuance Of the war
All regard the blowing up OF an
English company's railroad bridge as
z serious matter and likely to invite
International action by Great Britain
or at least an Interrogation of the Gov
ernment at Washington by Great
Britain as 10 whether the United States
intends TO intervene 20 end the war.
The conditions in Havana province
outside the city, while better than
those In Pinar del Rio province. are
not encouraging Americans who have
visited the camps Of Colonel Guas near
san Antonia de los Ramos and those
Of Colonel Asbert. in the southern part
Of Havana province, have found several
hundred men in camp, all Of them pos
sessed Of good horses. but unusually
indinerently armed. Around Guanajay
and Artenisa are many Rural Guards.
but all the towns in that region are
in fear OF the insurgents The latter
do very much as they please.
RURAL GUARDS DESERT.
The situation in Santa Clara province
is worse, particularly in regard to the
insurgent strength, although ii is be-
lieved that the armistice is being re-
spected there. There have been many
b desertions from the Rural Guards to
the insurgent side.
Loynaz del Castillo. who now signs
himself General in Chief of the Insur-
gents IN Havana province. has issued
an order to his followers to respect
the arnistice as proposed. Yesterdays
night in this province was due 20 the
fact that the Government officers did
not know that a cessation OF hostilities
had been tentatively authorized.
Government officials fully appreciate
the gravity of the situation. but are
stn hopeful that the news of the ten
days armistice announced by the Gov
eminent today viii have the effect,
when il reaches the enemy. Of causing
d cessation Of hostiiities until all con-
cerned shall have obtained an actual
understanding OF. the peace proposals