The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-08-28
While Offering the q Soy g f'',:7
3E:sslE eminent. I: 81 Cub 4 DeliYers
#B loWsto Insurg gents
8lNsURREcTION is SHAKll q
Foreign Element Criticise the the
Offer#of Amnesty as
-l Weak Action.
4 fRya Associated Press. a

(6y IL COO
HAVANA, August 27.-At the moment
to-day when the government was issuing
a proclamation offering pardon to rebels
who would lay down their arms It's
Z forces were dealing the most telling blow
that has yet been struck against the
insurgents in the field. For several days
nans force of Insurgents which was
variously estimated at from two hundred
upwards, contemplate an attack on Glen
sfugoes. Colonel We lie, with a detachment
iof rural guards and volunte eers, was dis
patched to Cienfugoes for5the purpose OF
engaging Guzman and breaking up the
band. The encounter Of the two forces
to-day resulted in the worst disaster
which the insurgents have sus tanned ,up
to this time. They lost seventeen men
killed and maj ny wounded, while the loss loss
to the government force was one man nan
killed. # #
That the inslrrection Is In q shaky con-
dition seems to Da a fact, although the
end mayBnot be as near as members OF
b the government profess to believe. Ex-
Congressman d Faustino (Pino) aF Guerra,
the Tinsurgent leader operating In the
province OF Pinar del Rio. In a signed
statement telegraphed to the Associated
Press tonight, declares that he Is as
determined as ever that the last presi-
dental election shall be annulled before
there can be peace IN Cuba.
Guerra's Forces. It
That Guerra's force Of 1000 men is
we'll armed and supplied with mmunitlon
and food Is amply verified. 81 Their great
est drawback Is now the lack OF money,
SPinara del Rio are furnishing them with
K all the supplies needed, taking In return
therefor orders on 'the Cuban govern
tment,n and In many cases refusing to ac-
scept any consideration,
The governments offer OF amnesty.
which was issued to-day, Is yariously
received, It Is impossible to say what
Its effect will be upon those to whom
1t Is addressed. Alfredo zayas, prcsl-
Liberal party, stated tonight that he
was unable to express any opinion as
to whether tho insurgents would grasp
the opportunity offered them of surren-
dering, but said, In his opinion, as a
lawyer, Senator Montalyo could not
legally issue such an order; for the
Constitution provides that only the Pres
ident may make such q proclamation,
which must be counterslgned ny some
member OF the cabinet, Secretary Mon
talyo. on the contrary, stated to tho
Associated press that the OFFER OF elem
ency was issued by tho direct order Of
President Palma, and also gazetted oftl-
cially. The. secretary added that tho
document was In reality an order Of the
Secretary OF the Interior. lssued by direc-
tion OF the President to General Rodri-
guez, commander Of the Rural Guards.
Criticise Amnesty,
The foreign element, including many
Americana. criticise the offer OF amnesty
as q weak and disappointing action.
showing a desire for peace at any price
and e Willingness 20 sacrifice the possl-
8bility OF future security to a present
expediency,
Secretary Montalvo's order does not
provide for the relief OF alleged con-
tspirators who are now IN jail in Ha-