Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1906-09-06
G.AT'SANT|AG0
WORST CALAMITY THAT GOULD
-6EFAlL. PALMA.
EASTERN CUBA AElAME
Government Hides Facts, But Press
Reports Confirm Story That Hith-
erto Peaceful Province Has
Taken~up Arms.


IIavana.-That the general sit
uation is much worse than at any
time since the revolt began is shown
by dispatches received from various
points on tho island
Uprisings are occurring in many
towns and provinces which have here
tofore been considered loyal 10 the
government.
Americans are fiocking to the lega-
ton here in increasing numbers and
demanding protection for their prop
crty and the talk of Intervention by
the United States is stronger than
ever.
Santiago province, "a Palma strong
hold. has developed a serious rebel
lion.
The protestant missionaries in the
field say that the instruction is
spreading rapidly over the country
districts in the western half of the
island.
The press was informed by two re-
liable eyewitnesses that Cardenas,
Skhich hitherto has been considered
perfectly peaceful city was the
scene Thursday of desultory fighting
between police and rural guards on
the one side and rowing insurgents on
the other.
Puerto Principe Peaceful.
The only province remaining per-
fectly peaceful is Puerto Principe.
Americans having great cattle inter
ests there are apprehensive lest it,
too, become the field of insurrection-
airy operations.
The press correspondent at Cienfue-
gos telegraphed that there are 5000
armed insurgents in that vicinity and
that all the small towns in Santa
Clara province are controlled by in
surgents, who attack and loot trains
and seize the property of foreigners as
well as Cubans.
Trinidad is surrounded by insur-
gents, and the government appears
powerless to protect the property OF
Americans and other foreigners. Rail
way trains are held up at will and
passengers searched. The Cuban Cen
trail railway has declined to assume
responsibility for the safety of pas
sengers or freight.
The government continues to make
fine Roadway wherever there is open
fighting
Cannot Catch Guerra.
The troops in the western portion
of Pinar del Rio province have not yet
come up with Pine Gnerra, and, ac-
cording to the press correspondent
with the troops, there is no present
<r]ikelihood of their doing So as the
q troops might march for ten years and
all the while Guerra would still be just
ahead of them in the hills. There are
thousands of mountain trails with
which the insurgents are familiar and
which lead in all directions. If Guerra
cared to harass the government their
troops could be killed off by sharp
shooters. The government has no
cavalry in Pinar del Rio, and the only
real soldiers are the artillerymen, but
as they are afoot they cannot cope
with the well-mounted veterans on the
insurgent side Guerra does not want
to fight. His scouts can always be
seen at a distance from the govern
ment line of march The correspond
ents report more looting by Guerras
men.
With a view 10 calming public feel
ing a dispatch from the governor of
Santa Clara province was given out
at the palace. but it's statements are
not borne ont by any other testimony.
Americans who come to the legation
to ask for the protection of their
property are answered by an immedi-
ate call upon the government of Cuba,
which promises to do the best it can
for them. Charge Daffaires Sleeper
advises all such callers to file their
/, complaints in the local courts and
forward copies of the papers to the
legation.
There are many rumors in circula-
ton as TO what may happen Septem-
Der Is unless a new election is
granted.
Unrest in the Country.
To add TO the general apprehension,
The American Protestant missionaries
If Havana, who are in general charge
IF the field, say that reports from
missionaries outside Of Havana are
practically unanimous In stating that
The insurrection is sweeping all the
country districts in the western half
I the island and that they are unable
"a continue their work or ride over
die routes in their several districts.