Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-28
Guerra Declares He
Will Never Lay
Down Arms
Seventeen Insurgents Die
in Battle With
Guards
President Palma Offers Amnesty to
Those Who Surrender, but
Results Are Not Yet
Apparent
By Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
HAVANA, Aug. 27.-At the moment
today when the government was issu.
ing its proclamation offering pardon
to rebels who would lay down their
arms its forces were dealing the most
telling blows that have yet been struck
against the insurgents in the field.
For several days, it should be stated
Gen. Guzman's force of insurgents
which was variously estimated at from
200 upwards, contemplated an attack
on Cienfugos.
Col. Vale, with a detachment of rural
guards, was dispatched to Cienfugos
for the purpose of engaging Guzman
and breaking up the band.
The encounter of the two forces to-
day resulted in the worst disaster
which the insurgents 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 mem
bers of the government profess to be-
lieve.
Ex-Congressman Fagustino (Pinc
Guerra), the insurgeLt leader operat-
hing in the province of Pinar del Rio
in signed statement selegraphed to
the Associated Press tonight, declares
that he is as determined as ever that
the last presidential election shall be
annulled before there can be peace in
Cuba.
That Guerra's force of 1000 men is
well armed and supplied with ammunl-
tom and food is amply verified. Their
greatest drawback now is the lack of
money, but the people of the southern
part of Pinar del Rio are furnishing
them with all the supplies needed, TAX
ing in return therefor orders on the
Cuban government" and in many
cases refusing to accept any considera-
tion.
Government Offers Amnesty
The governments offer of amnesty
which was published this afternoon, Is
variously received. 1t is impossible to
say what its effect will be upon those
to whom it is addressed.
Alfredo Zelayados, president of the
senate and leader of the Liberal party
stated that he was unable to express
any opinion as to whether the insur-
gents would grasp the opportunity Of
fered them of surrendering, but said in
his opinion as lawyer Secretary Mon
talvo could not legally issue such an
order, for the constitution provides
that only the president may make such
proclamation, which must be counter
signed by some member of the cabinet.
Secretary Montalvo, on the contrary,
stated tonight to the Associated Press
that the offer of clemency was issued
by the direct order of President Palma
and also gazetted officially.
The secretary added that the docu-
ment was in reality an order of the
secretary of the interior, issued by
direction OF the president, to Gen. Rod
riguez, commander of the rural guards.
The foreign element, including many
Americans, criticise the offer of am
nesty as weak and disappointing ac-
tion, showing a desire for peace at
any price and willingness to sacrifice
the possibility of future security TO a
present expediencey.
Secretary Montalvo's orders do not
provide for the relief of alleged con-
spirators who are now in Jail in Ha-
vana and the question has arisen as
to what shall be done with them.
considerable number of insurgents
are known to be returning quietly to
their homes in the province of Havana
and in the eastern part of the province
of Pinar del Rio.
Tn ha Lot
remains unchanged Guerra knows
nothing of the Montalvo order and If
he did 1t is altogether unlikely that 1t
would AFFECT his force materially
Guerra VIII Hold Out
1t present there is every reason for
q >ecting that Guerra will hold out for
81 ne time TO come. The district in
,ch he is operating is inhabited by
erals who are practically all tenta-
Z If not active sympathizers with
insurrection.
Then, too. Guerra has hilly fast
sses to which he retires nightly and
ON which 1t will be practically inn
possible to rout him.
A favorable feature of the situation
In Pinar del Rio is that Guerra will
not fight if he can help it. He intends,
he says, to remain out indefinitely In
protest against the subservience Of
the Palma administration.
The Associated Press is informed
that the Asberb force, the main in
surgent force now In the province Of
Havana, amounts to 150 men. and that
there are not exceeding 100 more in
small parties.
The eastern part of the province OF
Pinar del Aio is practically unpro-
tected. but there have been only petty
depredations there by small bands
There is some question whether the
Santa Clara band calling themselves
Continued ON page two.