New-York tribune., 1906-08-30
CUBAN REBELS GAINING.
TOWN OF CfBaN4S TAKEN
Agitation Spreads IN Pro5inces
Condition of Crops.


growth OF the insurgent sentiment i'm the country
s,stricts OF the provinces OF Havana, Pinar del
aie. Santa Clara and Santiago Persons arriv.
Y here from the country are unanimous in say
,-r that the people are restless and becoming
,-ore and more excited. There are grave doubts
q the loyalty Os recruits. and especially of
vegro recruits, who are suspected in many
,uarters Of a willingness TO join the rebellion,
with which many OF their race are identified.
It IS said on trustworthy authority that Gen
s.si Aleman. Governor Of Santa Clara Province
las telegraphed President Palma that unless
endorsements sent Santa Clara City is
Hkey to fall into the hands OF the insurgents.
The undeniable evidences of the growth OF in
surgent sentiment are causing increasing doubt
whether the government will. after all, be able
20 cope promptly and successfully with the move
raent. There is much discussion OF the pos
.fbility Of a peaceful settlement. Interest
centres in projected meeting of Cuban veterans
and other prominent men 10 consider the ques-
ton OF approaching Pine Guerra and other in
surgent commanders, as we'll as lesders OF the
liberal party and members Of the government,
uith view to ascertsining whether the diff
mise At the present stage OF affairs, however, a
compromise would appear 70 be out of the ques-
ton. as the government continues confident that
Il viii soon be able TO suppress the movement
Many Cuhans feel that patriotism demands that
some united effort De made TO end the dispute
and avoid the possibility OF Intervention by tho
urited States.
rapid fire artillery corps is being organized
under American officers. ammunition and guns
are being unpacked and the historic Castillo de
Ia Punta, fronting the harbor entrance. is
the scene OF the greatest activity.
The insurrection in the province of Pinar del
Rio has spread across the mountains to the
north coast. and the town OF Cabanas is now in
the hands Of the insurgents. VINO are reported
also 10 have gone in the direction Of Bahia,
Honda The latter place Is the site Of one Of the
United States naval stations but II has not yet
been occupied for that purpose. Cabanas IS
about thirty-five miles west-southwest OF Ha-
Tana, and fifteen miles by highroad from
MaT1ei The district is rich and grows sugar
It's population in 1929 was about 1000
Colonel Avaios. commander OF the government
forces in Pinar del Rio left San Juan Martinez
IN search OF the main insurgent body. which con-
iains about two thousand men under Guerra
80 news has been received tonight from Colonel
AGalOs. The government telegraph lines are In
..grupted
Pino Guerra again is threatening the railroad
officials. The latter have begun the construction
of an armored train 20 precede troop trains In the
threatened region.
No encounters were reported to-day in Havana
province though small bands are numerous In
Matanzas province there has been fighting.
and IN Santa Clara the insurgents evidently are
avoiding an action since their recent defeats.
Captain Pepy Cardenas, President Palma's
personal military aid. started this afternoon
with 200 mounted men in the direction Of Guines.
Havana province, With the object of encounter
ing the insurgent force commanded by Colonel
Asbert. Asbert said to-day that he had Or5ers
II the government did not accede 10 the insur-
gents demands by September Is to begin an
active campaign, destroying trains and burning
property without respect TO foreign ownership.
He added:
We prefer another American intervention
which would guarantee legal elections. for which
we are contending; In order 70 avoid s contact
with the troops ans therefore plooosheo' we are
changing camps every eight hours.
The Governor of Matanzas telegraphed this
afternoon that General Garcia had arrived at
San PEDRO de NIayabon with Colonel Leiseca
and Major Almeda, the two Heutenants Of ex-
Congressman Carlos Mendieta's forces. who
voluntarily surrendered 10 Garcia with their
arms. ammunition and horses.
The escort OF General Betancourt consisting
OF twelve men, while encamped at Hatillo,
province Of AIatanzas. where Betancourt is
operating was, owing TO mistake, attacked
by a detachment OF rural guards yesterday
The commander Of the escort and a sergeant
were killed and three men were wounded
The insurgents have removed the rails from
parts Of the Cuban Central Railroad, in the
southern part OF the province of Santa Clara.
Seventeen recruits who were charged with
planning 70 desert TO the insurgents. have been
placed in Jail here.
The cost Of attempting to suppress the in
rurrection up 10 the present has been over
100000.
The question Of the effect OF the rebellion
on the tobacco and sugar interests OF the island
is becoming OF vital interest. Neither interest
has suffered 10 any extent as yet. and both, as
tar as the actual crops are concerned, could
survive a continuance Of the insurrection for
cone weeks vet without suffering materially.
Luis Marx, general manager Of all the agri-
cultural operations Of. the American British
Cooperation, said to-day:
Tie insurrection could continue for two weeks
more and still have effect on next winter
crop The planting Of seed beds ought 10 pe
beginning now No harm will happen If THIS
Hok IS deferred for fortnight put aiIeT @ mat a,S
We must have men 70 push the work we can
give, generally speaking, SIX weeks grown -
the plants in the seed beds. SIX weeks more
after planting, and begin cutting the TOBACCO ia
the last of November and continue into Febru-
ar. IN the mean time men ar" needed OF
course, TO prepare the ground. but the tooacco
crop viii be practically Unaffected II the lnsur-
recticu winds up before September 10
Washington. Aug "a telegram received
al lhe STATE Depastment late to-day from Mr.
Sleeper. tie American charge at Havana,
ports that q band Of the cuban insurgents, led
by O. plnt,s Narauetti a Negro member Of the