These men straggled into the city with the information that the Cubans had
seized the town and their little fort. They had all been captured, and had
been brought before the general in command, who proved to be Gomez
himself. All but ten of the prisoners were Cubans who had enlisted in the
Spanish service.

General Gomez freed the Spaniards, but ordered the Cubans to be hanged on
the spot, as traitors to their country.

The Spaniards reported that Gomez had a force of 2,000 men with him, and
that General Carillo was following him with another party of 3,000 more.
In Havana it is expected that an attempt to capture the city will be made
within a few days.

It is said that the Cubans have been concentrating their forces in and
around Havana Province for some time past, and that the troops who served
under General Rivera, some 7,000 men in all, are waiting in Pinar del Rio
until Gomez gives them the signal to join him.

Pinar del Rio is at the west of Havana Province. In Matanzas, at the east
of Havana, more insurgents are said to be gathered. It looks as if the
Cubans were really closing in on Havana for a definite purpose.

Spain is trying to raise a new loan to meet the cost of the wars in Cuba
and the Philippine Islands.

There is a report that the health of General Rivera is failing. It is said
that, for want of proper care, his wounds are not healing, and that he is
suffering a great deal from them.