Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-08-25


are turned towards the provincial vap-
ital of Pinar Del Rio, for upon the abil-
ity of Pine Guerra to capture that city
depends. it is believed here, the out
come Of the instruction. The occupan-
cy by the insurgents OF the towns
SouthWrs tWard of Pinar Del Rio was
considered to be only preliminary TO Il
movement on Pinar Del Rio. A serious
question is whether the popula lions of
the captured towns and that of the
thickly settled and marvcllously rich
Nuelta Abajo tobacco region surround
ing them will join Guerra's forces. If
they do the iIsurgent leader will APP
proach Pinar Del Rio in overwhelming
force. The outcome depends on the
loyalty OF the people. Guerra is gather
ing hundreds of veterans and others
under his leadership and it is impossi-
BILE to estimate the sincerity of the peO-
pie in Pinar Del Rio who have been
looked upon as likely to support the
government.
4 detachment OF $50 Cuban artillery
men from Havana have reached Pinar
del Rio. where they will cooperate
with the Rural Guards and volunteers.
These artillerymen, however, can only
act as infantry as they have not been
trained to use field guns. A hospital
corps and other details were following
the artillerymen to Pinar Del Rio in
readiness for what is expected to be
short and decisive campaign.
The province of Havana is quiet. In
Santa Clara and in MataZanas province
the Rural Guards and police and many
.,,.i,, igt
insurgents.
Considerable sympathy is developing
in Havana for General Gomez, now i'll
the city Jail here. who is commonly be-
lieved to be too broad-minded patriot
to mix himself up in revolutionary
schemes.
Although the government regards
Gucrra's movements on Guanc.S rs q
retreat. it was definitely ascertdinCd
this afternoon that the insurSent bad
er's forces were still occupying san
Luis and san Juan De Martinez,
though the bulk Of his followers ac-
companicd him i'll his movement on
Guancs.
Six hundred troops started this af-
ternoon by train. from Pinar Del Rio
for San Juan De Martinez.
Guerra. the insurgcnt leader, vino
Yesterday captured the town of san
Juan Dc Martinez, province "t Plnar
Del Rio, following his capture ot san
Luis the day before. says that his POI
icy is to occupy towns as peacefully As
possible. to continue the local author
tiles in office for the present ana 10
change the officials gradually and com
pei the government to annul the last
elections and hold new ones.
A letter received here from a rella-
Bile correspondent who visited Plno
Guerra at San Juan De Martinez, says
that the insurgent leaders, force
amouns to 1000 men. The correspond
cnt adds that all the people in that
mart of the country are Liberals ana
svnpathizers with the insurrection, but
Guerra has not sufficient ammunition
either to take Pinar Del Rio or sustain
a prolonged fight. This is believed here
IN he a correct view of the situation
The government force in the city of
Pinar Del Rio today consists Of $50 ar
tillerymen, 300 volunteers and 200 Rurai
Guards.
The inhabitants of the city of Plnar
Del Rio are reported to be loyal anu
it is said that most of them are armed
and will assist the troops in resisting
an attack on the part of the lnSut-
gents.
Reports from the country districts
say that the people generally have peell
influenced by the Liberal leaders ana
are inclined to be distrustful OF the
motive of President Palma's govern
ment Therefore they readily sympa-
thize with the cause of the insurgents.
In the cities there is much more ap-
proach to genuine patriotism, but the
government offer of 81 pay per day
| for all recruits does not meet with more
than slow response Many men are IN
terested in the crisis, as onlookers, Du'
a genuine desire to fight for the gov
| eminent is lacking.
| During the vacancy of the secretary
| ship of the interior due to the reslSna'
| ton Of Senior O'Farrill, who was acting
| secretary, Senior Montalvo, secretary OF
| public works, has been given charge o.
all matters referring to the mamie
nance Of public order Senior Font sur
ling. secretary of the treasury. VIII
have charge Of the administration d
military affairs.
In an interview today Alfredo Zayas