The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-09-13
HARD FIGHTING IN CUBA
Rebels Said to Have Lost 200 Killed
in Fierce Battle.
PINAR DEL RIO IS NOW CUT OFF

Government Troops and Reinforce.
ments On Train Had Hard Fight Be.
fore They United - Havana Fears
Attack Of Insurgents.
Havana. Sept TO- Government, mil.
rary and railroad officials and the
nrW paper correspondents were
thrown into state Of excitement by
men who had arrived here from Paso
Real with stories that the armored
train which loft Havana Friday had
met with various obstacles beyond
lIorradura. had been thrown from the
tracks and its 300 men. machine guns
horses and equipment captured. As
these tales were confirmed by the
western railroads first Geographic ad-
vices from paso Real. they were be-.
licved 10 be true until authentic 10.
ports of actual occurrences were wired
by those who had returned 10 Pas1
Real from the scene.
The real facts Of the case are that
Colonel Ayalos who was believed to
be surrounded in Pinar del Rio City,
and the armorcd train made a junction
east Of Consolation del Sur. and the
government forces to that extent are
improved. The news OF this fact has
caused much relief in ol.cial circles.
The train proceeded from Pas0 Real
10 two and a third miles east OF Con.
solacion del Sur at which point the
rails had been removed. and replaced
locomotive and three cars which
had been thrown from the track. The
insurgents attacked but were driven
off by two machine guns handled by
tho American. Captain Webster
Meanwhile A large portion OF Colonel
Ayalos force had come eastward from
Pinar del Rio for the purpose OF max
ing "A junction with the machine gun
corps At Consolation del Sur their
advance was disputed By large band
OF insurgents and a lively fight en-
sued. Tho insurgents were driven of
and several OF them were killed or
wounded. Avalos and his men con.
tlnucd their journey eastward and
made a junction first with the cav
airy force OF Captain Rayonna. which
is scouting ahead. and finally with the
disabled troop train. The train has
not been molostod since the junction
was effected. but tho bridge over the
Santa Clara river eastward from the
train was blown mp together with two
smaller ones. preventing the use Of
the road beyond lIerradura.
A the bridges westward near Puer.
N G0lpe also have been destroyed no
trains can operate from Pinar del Rio
City I'm either direction. Both the rail-
road and the telegraph line continue
IN use 10 Paso Real
Reports received by the government
say that poo insurgents were killed in
the encounter near Consolation d.
Sur but these figures are not consid-
cred 10 be authentic.
A fight is reported 10 have taken
ace at Guanajay. in anita Clara prov
ince. There were fierce machete
charges and the rebels retired Several
Of them were wounded and five were
captured.
There is some alarm in Havana on
account of the nearness TO the city OF
.,......,r I.,-Tr.T iprtfrrarfc IafpuUing
10 the forces of Asbet. Lyonais AMI
Castillo. some of whom are often seen
In the hills at Jesus del Monte in the
southern extremity of the city Init.
nations received from these bands are
to the effect that they are merely
awaiting the outcome of the peace ne
gotiations. practically all the insur-
gents in the provinces OF Havana and
aSnta Clara having ceased operations
for the present in accordance with the
tentative agreement with the peace
commissioners.
The fourth week of the rebellion
opens with the governments forces
better equipped and improved in disci
pline. but enlistments are slow. Presi-
dent Palma's action in calling a spe-
cial session of congress is meeting
with some adverse criticism. Many
persons believe that no good purpose
will be served by a discussion of the
causes of the war and of peace pro
posals by the congress.