Some of these troops, it is reported, have been sent to Santiago de Cuba, where the insurgents have been very active of late.
It was rumored recently that the seat of the Cuban Government, near Cubitas, had fallen into the hands of the Spanish.
This rumor, however, is believed to be false. Still, the Spaniards have probably been doing some good fighting in this neighborhood.
The Cuban President and his Cabinet are not likely to be molested, as they are concealed in remote and inaccessible mountain-passes.
A good deal of newspaper talk has been created by the acceptance of General Blanco's Government by Gen. Juan Massó, cousin of President Bartolomé Massó, and his brigade, and by the surrender of five private soldiers belonging to the command of Gen. Maximo Gomez, the insurgent commander-in-chief.
These soldiers declare that General Gomez ordered Captain Nestor Alvarez to be shot for attempting to persuade insurgent soldiers to accept autonomy. They have asked permission to form a guerilla force to avenge the captain's death.
In various parts of the island the Cubans have been doing a great deal of damage to property, but it is impossible to know accurately just what they are gaining by their devastations. The news sent from the Cuban and the Spanish camps does not agree by any means.
Both sides declare that they are making progress.
There is no doubt, however, that though the Cubans had lost hope of receiving help from the United States this winter, they have not lost courage.
At present they are busily engaged in transporting supplies into the centre of the island, and they propose to continue the campaign through the wet season.