River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-30
GOMEZ WIRES TAFT
DECLARES ADMINiSTRATIoN Is
DOING UTMOST TO CRUSH
THE REVoLUTIoNISTs.
SITUATION MORE SERIOUS
Cuban Towns Are Threatened-3,Q GOO
Federal Troops Are Now in
Oriente Facing
Rebels.

which he protests in friendly but firm
terms against Intervention by the
United States.
1t is my duty to say that so seri-
Gus resolution alarms and hurts the
feelings of a people who love and are
jealous of their independence" he
says, after reciting that he had receiv-
ed from United States Minister Beau
pre- note informing him that the
Washington government had ordered
gunboat to Nipe bay and strong naval
concentration at Key West in anticipa-
ton of possible eventualities, and also
in event that if the Cuban government
was unable to protect American prop
erty it was the intention to land forces
for that purpose.
President Gomez says the govern
ment is doing its utmost, having with
in four days sent 1900 troops by land
and sea to crush the rebels in Oriente,
and in that short time having restored
order in all parts Of the island with
that exception. He also says that 5000
rifles with ammunition have been dis
tributed to loyal citizaFs, and that the
government is prepared to flood the
comparatively small disturbed section
with regulars and volunteers.
Troops Carrying Out Plan.
Advices from the scene of the mill
tary operations in Oriente province are
meager. The troops are still engaged
in carrying out the carefully laid plan
of General Mendieta to envelope the
rebel forces and compel decisive COM
bat. In an engagement between
troops under Colonel Machada and
band of rebels, several of the latter
were killed, two captured and the re-
mainder dispersed The loss to the
troops is not given.
More troops were rushed to the front
from Havana, and also many carloads
of ammunition and a large consign-
ment of rifles. The rifles are intended
for distribution among the plantations
and to the loyal citizens in the many
towns within the zone of the insurrec-
ton. The insurgents have adopted
| flag of blue with white stripes
General Monteagudo has started for
Oriente to take command of all the
government troops. The provinces Of
Pinar del Rio, Havana, Mantanzas
and Camaguey are reported quiet. In
a skirmish in Santa Clara two were
killed. Strong patrols of rural guards
and police nightly guard all approaches
to the capital, scrutinizing closely ev-
eryone coming into the city or leaving
it.
The Havana newspapers unite in
praising the patriotic action of Presi-
| dent Gomez in sending cablegram
to President Taft protesting against in
tervention by the United States. Gen
eral Gomez said there is no necessity
of such action in view of the brief per-
iod since the revolt began, and because
of the ability of the Cuban government
to cope with it.
Negro Rebels Spreading Terror.
Santiago. = Conditions in the pro-
vince of Oriente continue to be ex-
| tremely alarming. From all quarters
petitions are pouring in for protection
which the government is unable to fur
nish because all available troops are
being concentrated for the purpose of
surrounding the main bodies of rebels
under Generals Estenoz and Ivonet.
A party of $50 mounted negroes ap-
peared at Aurora Maniel, threatening
an attack on Ell Cobre, 10 miles west
of Santiago, where the mines Of the
Cuba Copper company are located.
The government being unable to dis
patch troops sent SO rifles with which
officials of the company armed the
miners and other employees.
Great alarm is felt at Baracoa. The
town is without protection and is cut
off from communication with the in
terror. An urgent appeal has been
made to the government to send a gun
| boat.
! Geeral Estenoz passed through Jar
ahueca, about 80 miles to the north
west of Guantanamo, with 600 mount
ed men under his immediate com
mand. General Ivonet, with band
of $50 negroes, mounted and armed
with new rifles, is pilaging the stores
at La Carolina and vicinity. Insur-
gents have appeared near Bayamo
and Jiguani, in the interior to the
west, which heretofore has been re-
ported tranquil.
The rebels have again surrounded
Palma Coriano, north of Santiago the
inhabitants of which are vainly ap-
pealing for protection. The Atlantic
Fruit Steamship company has also
asked protection for its property at
Sagua de Tanamo, on the north coast
of Oriente, but no troops are avail
able.
General Esteaoz demanded $4,000
from planters in the vicinity of Tigua-
Dos. He obtained $1,000 after threat
ening to hang the planters.
Reports from Manzanillo, on the
west coast, state that an umber of
negroes, who were leaving town to
join the insurgents in the field, ex-
changed shots with a police patrol
some of them being wounded. The
force of volunteers organized by the
chamber of commerce of Santiago to
protect the city now numbers upwards
of 200 we'll armed men,
Poker Party Robbed,