Ceredo Advance

ENCOURAGED.

Cuban Insurgents Well Pleased Over the Action of the American Congress.

Havana, April 8, via Key West, Fla., April 9.—The Cubans are greatly encouraged by the action of congress. They say it is certain to have a good moral effect and hope for practical benefit also. Members of good families are leaving cities and towns to join the insurgents in great numbers. The severe enforcement of Weyler's decrees is driving many to take the field.

The government has still failed to crush Maceo in the western province. He is west of the strong line between Marcel and Majana, but several parties have crossed and entered Havana province. Lacret, with 3,000 men, has entered from the east. All the wires west and south are cut and accurate news of the movements of the rebels is not obtainable. The government has been silent for four days, although it is known here that several important engagements have been fought. The hospitals are crowded with wounded and sick soldiers. Now that the yellow fever season is beginning, there is no room for victims. The prisons are also filled with political suspects. The government was obliged to transfer 76 from Cabanas' fortress to the city prisons.

Gomez was last reported in Santa Clara province, moving in the direction of Suganea valley. His forces entered the important town of San Juan de las Veras, taking supplies and ammunition. The troops shut themselves in forts and allowed the town hall and several other buildings to be burned. Refugees from the town have arrived at Ranchuelo.

The Spanish gunboat Alvarado was badly damaged by the rebel fire in attempting to enter the port of Marabi, near Baracoa. The balls shattered the rudder, penetrated the deckhouse plating and traversed the sides. The gunboat returned to the attack three times, but finally went to Baracoa for repairs. The official report says one sailor was wounded.

During a night attack upon the town of Hoyo, about fifteen miles west of Havana, the Spanish troops shot and killed four women and two children and wounded others. The troops occupied four forts. The insurgents entered the town crawling on hands and knees, fired upon the forts, burned a number of houses and retired. The troops later, seeing a group of people on the principal street, fired a volley from the fort, mistaking the women and children for insurgents, owing to the darkness. The accident is greatly deplored. Seven prisoners of war condemned to be shot in Cabanas fortress Monday morning have been respited pending a vote of the house. The general belief is since the action of congress no more insurgents will be publicly shot under the bandit decree.