Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-08-24

near San Juan hill, Cuba, between
government forces under Lieutenant
Azcuy and insurgents with the tide in
favor of the latter.
Another Clash Expected.
Havana. Aug 24.-It is believed a
battle will be fought near Pinar Del
Rio, capital of the province, today, if
Pine Guerra. leader of the insurgents.
carries out his evident intentions of
marching on that city. The govern
ment has hurried troops to Pinar Del
Rio. and will. il is believed. take the
offensive, forcing a fight with Guerra
if he approaches the city.
Pinar del Rio is Key.
1t is generally believed in Havana
the outcome of the insurrection de-
pends upon the ability of Guerra 10
capture the city of Pinar del Rio. The
occupancy by the insurgents of town.
southwest of that city is considered to
be only preliminary to a movement on
the provincial capital.
Depends Upon Population.
The serious question is whether the
population of the captured towns and
the thickly settled and marvelously
rich Vuelta Abajo tobacco region sur
rounding them will join Guerra's
forces. If they do. the insurgent lead
er will approach Pinar del Rio with an |
overwhelming number.
The result depends upon the loyalty
or dislOyalty of the people. 1t is un- |
deniable that Guerra is gathering hun
dreds of veterans and others under his |
leadership. And it is Impossible to es-
innate the sincerity of the people of !
Pinar del Rio who have been looked |
upon as likely TO support the govern
ment.
Artillery I'm City.
A detachment of $50 Cuban artillery
men from Havana have reached Pinar
del Rio, where they will cooperate
with the rural guards and volunteers.
The province of Havana is quiet.
scatter Insurgent Band.
Havana, Aug. 24.-The first encoun-
ter in Santa Clara province occurred
this morning. A detachment of rural
guards attacked an insurgent band
commanded by Manuel Gonzalez, be
tween Santo Domingo and Colon. The
insurgents were scattered and some
of their arms and ammunition cap
tured.
Goes to Occupy New City.
Havana. Aug 24.-Piono Guerra.
with most OF his command left San
Juan de Martinez this morning with
the object of occupying Guanes.
Says Fight Is On.
New York. Aug PA dispatch to
a morning paper from Havana says
the government forces under Colonel
Estramp are now in fight with reb-
els at Guines, 45 miles from Havana.
1t is officially stated the government
will pay 81 day to volunteers. Sena-
tor Moroa Campos Marqueti has join
ed the revolutionists.
Gomez Imprisoned Mt Havana.
Havana, Aug. 24.-Jose Miguel Go
mez. who was candidate for the
presidency last fall, and who was ar
rested Tuesday at his residence near
San Cti Spiritus. province of Santa
Clara, arrived here this morning, and
was placed in Jail before his presence
in the city became generally known.
Arrested for Conspiracy.
Havana, Aug. 24.-Orestes Ferrara,
who was campaign secretary and man.
ager for Jose Miguel Gomez, was ar
rested at Santa Clara today on a
charge of conspiracy in trying TO Sc
cure arms and ammunition in the Unit
ed States for the use of the insurgents.
Explains Action.
Havana, Aug. 24.-Font Sterling.
secretary of the treasury. late last
night cleared up the mistaken an
nouncement made at the palace earlier
to the effect that the Cuban govern
ment had asked the United States for
eight raDid-fire guns manned by Amer
ican artillerymen to use in suppress
sion of the insurrection. According to
Sterling the government ordered from
an American arms manufacturing COM
pany four rapid-fire guns, and these
pieces are to be manned by former
members of the artillery of the Amer
ican army now here.
May Get More.
If the guns prove effective, four ad-
ditional will be ordered. 1t is expected
zoor;oroad MON cau ho nrOcrred in