The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-08-25
FAR MORE FORMIDABLE
 THAN FIRST SUPPOSED
CUBAN INSURG ENTS PREPARED FOR LONG AND AGGRESSIVE
 CAMPAIGN.

Guerra's Following in Pinar Del Rio
 Certainly 1,5OO to 2,O0O Men--ldea
 That He Has Not Sufficient Ammuni- ton Declared RidiculOus-BehaviOr
 of His Forces ExceIIent-No Founda-
 tion That the Government Has Begun
 Negotiations With Him-Havana Re-
 crults Routed by Insurgents.
 Havana, Aug. 24.-Unofiicial advices received from the western part of the province of Pinar del Rio tonight are to the effect that the insurgent forces now concentrating west of San Juan de Martinez are far more formidable and are better supplied for camping and a long aggressive campaign than had been supposed.
 A prominent resident of Havana, whose word is beyond question: return ed this evening from three days tour in the vicinity of San Luis and San Juan de Martinez. He informed the Associated Press that Pino Guerra s fol- lowing in Pinar del Rio now is certainly from 1,5OO to 1000 men, He said the idea of his not having sufficient ammu- hilton was ridiculous, and that he is abundantly supplied with every possible necessity The behavior of his force is excellent.
 All the tobacco plantations owned by Americans and other American proper ties are flying the American flag, this gentleman declared, and are not being molested. He said the insurrectionists had eight mules loaded with dynamite, and that lately they had received sup plies from unknown sources. He posi- lively declared that fully a hundred members of the rural guard had desert ed and joined the insurrectionists since the trouble began, and that practically all Cubans in western Cuba now were sympathizers with the movement.
 Word has been received here from Santiago that General Jesus Rabi With 2.O0O veterans, will come to the Vuelta Abajo to help put down the insurrec- ton. This, however, is not confirmed,
 The governments extra expenses
 4
 since August 19 have been $27o,0O0
 The critics of the government private ly ridicule the plans of the government to bring rapid-fre guns to the island, asserting that the experiences of the Spaniards with these guns in Cuba proved their .uselessness in the field. They admit, however, their value for the protection of cities and highways.
 The government, it is understood, has sent to Texas to buy 1000 horses for the army. The government has already bought 500 horses here.
 The government has cabled to Gen. eral Rius Rivera, minister to Central and South American countries, to re- turn immediately to Cuba.
 The reported arrest of Orestes Fer rera. is denied, but 1t Is admitted that he is under surveillance.
 General Jose Miguel Gomez, at his formal arraignment to-day, denied the allegation that he had engaged in conspiracy against the government.
 There is no foundation in fact for the runlor in circulation tonight that the government has begun negotiations with Guerrero.
 More troops will be forwarded to the western districts tomorrow.
 While the crops were being convey ed by railroad train from Pinar del Rio to San Juan de Martinez ordinary traf- flc on the railroad was suspended There has been no interruption of rail- road communication by insurgents.
 There Is grave doubt if the force of government troops now at San Juan de Martinez would be able to withstand an attack by the forces of Pino Guerra.
 Aside from slight encounters in the provinces of Havana and Santa Clara nothing of importance has transpired there to-day. The enlistment of the ru- ral guards and volunteers is going on very slowly in the provinces but in the city of Havana enlistments are somewhat better. The city council this afternoon appropriated $50,OOO for the support of the city militia, of which there are two divisions, the interior and the exterior, under command of General Sarchez Agramonte.
 
 The government expects that the steamer Mexico, which will sail from New York on Saturday will bring eighteen rapid fire guns, 1O0oO,OOO cart ridges and 12,OO0 Lee rifles.
 Tomas Estrada Palma jr., joined the Havana city militia to-day.
 The insurgents have been absent from San Luis since early this morn ing, but no troops have yet occupied the place.
 The disturbed situation of the coun- try is interfering greatly with com merce. The transportation of mer- chandise by railroad has practically ceased, shippers fearing the seizure of tEeir goods
 Havana Recruits Routed,