The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-09-08
Guerrero Win Commence Opera
tions Against Government.
RAILROAD TRAINS HELDUP
Cuban Insurgent Leader Stops Train
and SeiIes Government Mail--Not
One Shot Is rired--Peaee
Proposals.

NEW ltkk. Sept, "A cable dis
patch TO the Herald from Havana says;
Colonel Pine Guerrero, leader of the
insugent forces in pinar del Rio pro-
vince, announced Thursday that he was
ready to begin an offensive campaign
against the government. He intends
making rapid moves, changing camps as
often as possible in order to avoid hav-
ing the burden of feeding so many men
long in any one section. He broke camp
at Iihara before noon yesterday. Fifty
minutes later, when the daily train for
Havana started for San Juan y Mar
tinez where the government troops are
centered. the road siuth OF the station
was covered with Guerreras cavalry as
far as the eye could see. Two kilo'
meters below the station, where the
highway crosses the railroad. the train
was stopped by insurgents who lined
their horses alongside the track. From
that point long view OF the road in
each direction showed the insurgents
massed to the horizon. Colonel Julian
Belancourt, Guerrera's adjutant, went
through the train. receiving warm greet
ings from almost every passenger. lie
ordered the removal OF two rural guards
who had tried to hide, aud took the
mail sacks with all the correspondence
from San Juan. The telegraph wires
had already been cut, When the train
was ordered to proceed without one
shot having been fired, the insurgents
resumed their march toward the hills
back OF Riesco. In the government
mail seized, Colonel Belancourt found
official instructions from the judge Of
Pinar del Rio ordering the arrest Of
himself, Guerrero. Cruz Colonel Brayet
and score OF other leaders on charge
of theft. They were directed to Col
Avolas, commander at San Juan, tell
ing him to make the arrests
As Guerrero approached San Juan in
one direction Avoles left in the other
with $50 rural guards, going to Pinar
del Rio by way OF Riesco. He is ex-
pected to return By the same route. II
he does he cannot avoid a fight. Pino's
men seem well disciplined and equipped.
Approached by correspondent, Pine
Guerrero said:
"You can tell the people north that
[ am now going 10 take the often.
siye. II | have not done 30 already. 1t
is because | have had to perfect the
organization. and attend to matters
which appeared to me of first import
ance. shall not attempt to hold towns
or fortify position in the hills. shall
continue to move rapidly everywhere"
HAS the government made any pro-
posals Of peace!" was asked.
"OniciaIfy none," he piled Guerrero.
"a committee came TO see me two
days ago and another Of veterans on
Thursday. Many veterans are await
inc further movements. Unless we OBJ
tain an honorable peace they will join
us. / have made no proposition to
the government. ! have no authority
to name conditions of peace. | am sim
plv soldier obeying the orders Of the
central committee, which is merely a
revolutionary body without taking the
form of government. / obey their d.
rections and recognize their authority.
"Perhaps you would like to know
who is my candidate for president.
have none. If Palma should be elected
by the people l would be the first to
declare my allegiance. / will support
anv man elected. If the American peo'
pie had such a government as exists here
they would not let it remain in power
five days"