Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-05-31
ToCope with Cuban Rebels,
! Is General Opinion.
Government Forces Halt, tO.Ar-
range Plans for Attack.
United States Vessels Are at Cuban
Ports and at Key West.

LUIS ana santiago, nave been conn
PEELED to halt in consequence of the
weakening of the main body by the
dispatch of detachments to guard
plantations in the outlying towns. Gen
eral Monteagudo, the COMMANDMENTS
chief of the Cuban army, who started
from Santiago with 1900 reinforce
ments has delayed the forward move
ment, to give his troops "a hours rest,
while determining the plan of attack.
General Monteagude expresses full
confidence in mis- ability to cope with
the enemy, but the insurgents have
the choice Of various positions which
proved impregnable to the Spanish at
tack in the War of Independence.
There have been numerous outpost
skirmishes without definite results. fhe
most serious news OF the day WAS the
report of the destruction by insurgents
of the property of the Spanisl-Amer-
lean Mining Co. at Daiquiri. where a
small force of Rural Guards were UNI
able To protect and the dispatch from
the United States naval station at
Guantanamo Of the gunboat Paducah
with marines aboard fer the protection
of the mining properties at Daikuiri.
The Paducah arrived there. tonight,
after which, ii is reported, the insur-
gents retired into the interior.
The opinion is becoming general that
the government forces are insufficient
to guard the property and cope with
the insurgents, who are being recruit
ed rapidly by the voluntary or enforce
ed enlistment of plantation laborers.
Apparently there is small prospect of
greatly augmenting5 the government
forces. the only visible achievements
being CORPS of 200 volunteers now be-
ing organized for active service at
Cabana Fortress under Col. Piedra.
The Home Guard of Havana is being
rapidly recruited. but the terms of en-
listmeEt forbid the use of these troops
except in defence of the capital.
Heavy rains throughout Oriente
have had the effect of halting the mil
itars movement. but also checking the
burning of the cane fields by the In
surgents. The depredations of the
rebels on the plantations are for the
most part confined to foreign proper
ty. The report Of severe combat
near Palma Soriano, in which the In
surgents were said to have sustained
heavy loss from Gatlin gun ire has
cutters are vigilantly patrolling the
coast of 0riente to prevent the land
ing of arms. Quiet is reported through
out the other provinces of the island.
President, Gomez has received let
ter from General Ivonet in which the
Insurgent leader says he has 1000 men
and that even women are girding on
matehetes in defence of the rights of
the colored race.
Il wish that you. my old comrades
in arms and now President of the Re-
public" SAYS General Ivonet, could
visit my camp and have ocular proof
o. the truth of these statements.
Nonet goes on To say that the NUM-
beers many whites among his forces.
One of the most prominent officers
in the Cuban army during the war OF
Independence, in describing the posi-
ton of the National and Insurgent
forces now facing each other in ORR
ente, said, tonight:
"The county probably is one of the
most difficult in the world for regular
military operations, but wonderfully
favorable for guerilla warfare.
sIt appears impossible that 1000 or
5000 inexperienced troops, of which
the officers are mostly city bred men
with only the rudiments of military
education, can have the faintest hope
of succeeding where 10000 Spanish
veterans failed in 1897.
Santiago, Cuba. May S0.A serious
engagement is reported at Mayala,
near Palma Soriano. The Cuban
troops used Gatlin guns and the re-
port says. inflicted heavy losses on the
Insurgents. There were few causal-
ties among the regulars. The insur-
gents under Vicente Anaya, attacked
the Conhuente plantation near Guam
tanamo, firing the sugar cane. They
threatened to hang the manager if he
|atttempted to stop the spread of the
flames. After setting fire to number
of houses they departed, carrying off
many horses and compelling the lab
orers to accompany them.
Key West. Fla, May 30-Headed by
the battleship Washington, Admiral
Osterhaus' flagship, the war vessels
comprising the second squadron of the
Atlantic fleet were assembled in the
harbor here, today, bringing wildly to
mind the scenes of the Spanish Ameri-
can war in 1898.
1t was announced. today. that no
shore leave would be granted the men
While the men-of-war are in port and
commanding officers have been in
structed to hold their ships in readi-
ness for sailing on six hours notice.
Santiago Cuba. May 30.-The United
States gnnboat Paducah has arrived al
Nipe Bay, on the north coast where her
commander George c.. Mitchell, will
watch the situation.
General Jose ]. Monteagude, the com
Misunderstanding of the Cuban regular
army in the field, who arrived here. last
evening, with large detachment of re-
inforcements on board the cruiser Cuba,
intends 10 leave for Guantanamo. TODAY.
Before his departure he said that he
was now preparing to crush the revolt
as he has sufficient forces at his. dis
posal. lie intended. he said, to begin at
once an active campaign and to make
an example of the rebels. All the loyal
Negroes, however, would be assured of
the fullest protection