Omaha daily bee., 1906-08-24
Death Of NEGRO Leader Deals Heavy Blow
to Insureotion.
FIGHT FIFTEEN MILES FROM HAVANA
Fierce HGnd-to- Hand Conflict Between Men
Armed with Maohetss.
THREATS AGAINST WESTERN RAILROAD
Guerra's band Captures Western Ter
minal and Notifies Manager He
VIII Blow UP Bridge ~
Troops Are Moved.

HAVANA, Aug. E.-Font Sterling, secre-
tary Of the treasury, late tonight, cleareS
up In a statement to the Associated Press.
a misleading announcement made at the
Palace tonight to the effect that the Cuban
government had asked the United States
for eight rapid fire guns manned by Amer
lean artillerymen to be used in the sup
preston OF the insurrection. The facts
are according 10 the secretary, that the
government has ordered from an Amer
ican arms company four rapid fire guns
and these will be manned by former mem
bers OF the artillery branch Of the Amer
ican army now here. II these guns prove
TO be effective four more additional will
be ordered and IL is expected that the
experienced gunners can be procured to
man them in the United States. The
United States has not been asked to do
anything In the premises.
The subject of American Intervention il
much discussed here and is regarded as a
remote possibility, there being general con-
fdence that the government will be able
to restore order in short time.
The killing of the insurrectionary leader,
General Quentin Bandera, today In an en-
gagement between rural guards and band
of his followers is regarded as dealing the
Capture of San Juan Martinez.
The government is acting with energy
in sending rural guards and volunteers
against the Santa Clara rebels and in
dispatching $50 more men to defand Pinar
del Rio against Pine Guerr. The cap
ture OF San Juan Martinez by Guerra's band
was not a great surprise though II was
not expected TO occur soon. The place
ooNa f.xra nv
of rural guards. while Guerra's strength
was much greater. The taking of Pinar
del Rio will be quite another matter, since
there are in that vicinity twice as many
troops as the insurgent Pine Guerra can
muster. II Is regarded as more than
probable that the troops will take the Of
fensive and IL possible draw Guerra into
an open fight.
While government reinforcements are be-
ing forwarded, esuerra's following rs not
believed TO have been greatly augmented
by his occupancy of the two Vuelta Abajo
towns.
Public opinion appears to vary according
TO locality from enthusiastic adherence to
the government to open rebellion.
In this city the general attitude is one Of
loyalty The opposition and independent
newspapers discuss with analytical coldness
the cry that II the government Is not able
to squelch the insurrection within two
months other forceful means must be en-
ployed for the restoration of peace. There
are no ringing calls to arms. The moderate
newspapers print with approval the resolu-
tions declaring adhesion to the government
by their padty organizations but there
has been nothing which could fairly be
described as a general rising of the people
in defense of the government.
General Bandera KILLED.
The body of the negro general, Quentin
Bandera, the most daring insursent in Ha-
vana province. lies In the morgue at Ha-
Z vana today fianked by those of two mullato
comrades, all frightfully sashed by the
long, heavy machetes of the rural guards
who ended their carriers. Across the street
In Neptune park, great crowd, mostly
negro friends of Bandera, are watching
the morgue with silent interest. The ar
rival OF Bandera's body here was the first
news of the fight in which he met his death
The conflict occurred at the Silviera farm
near Punta Bravo, fifteen miles from Ha'
vana. A detachment OF thirty-eight mounted
rural guards under Captain Ignatio Del
gado and Lieutenant Martinez was search
au& throughout the night for Bandera.
An O'Clock Tuesday the guards were
breaking through a wire fence at the edge
OF the Silveria farm, when they were sud
denly nred upon by Bandera's followers
twenty in number. The guards rushed upor
the insurgents, but with the exception OF
their chief and his two leading comrades
they all succeeded in getting away. The
guards made the chief and his two com
panions q special object OF attack and al
three received several bullet wounds anC
were horribly mutilated by machete cuts
- ~. .qaA
killed by Blows.
The bodies OF Bandera and his compan
ions were placed In wagon and taken t
Havana. An examination OF Banderai
body showed that his principal wound wal
a severe machete blow on the head which
cut on his left ear and made an ugly In
'cision In his face. He also had bulle
wounds in his arms and breast. The condi
tion Of Bandera's two dead companions wa
even more shocking. Their faces and head
were terribly gashed and they also had ma
chete wounds in their breasts and on thel
arms. The clothes Of all three men showed
every evidence Of the hard life which the!
had been leading while eluding their pur
suers. II hiss been an open secret amonI
the rural guards that Bandera would neve
live to be tried for treason, his death beini
the main object OF the government force
operating In Havana province. The small
ness OF the party accompanying Bander
has caused surprise here, but IL is believes
that he only had portion OF his band witt
him. In any case It Is believed the insur
rectlonary movement in western Havani
has been broken up by Bandera's death.
Prisoner Talks OF Crime.
The man who yesterday evening at
tempted TO assAssinate General Emil
- II. -
the latter was entering his home. gives tn
name OF Luis Morales and says he is
resident OF Havana He does not attemp
10 Justify his act. He said he had riddei
his horse for distance near the governor
carriage and wouk have shot into tn
vshiole and escaped had the opportunit'
afforded.
runez and his followers have Away
fr~onttn.a.d On aacond PazaA