The Spaniards met a small force of Cubans, which retreated before them.
They followed hotly, until suddenly the fleeing insurgents turned and
attacked them, and before the Spaniards had time to make out what this
meant, they were also attacked vigorously from the rear, and found they
had been again entrapped by the enemy.

The fight lasted five hours, and then the Spaniards were obliged to
retreat.

We spoke, a few weeks ago, of the port of Banes which the insurgents had
secured in Santiago de Cuba. It is said that four cruisers and several
gunboats have been ordered there to retake it from the Cubans.

Many people have criticised General Gomez for not gathering his forces
together to fight one big battle which shall decide the war.

The General has written a letter explaining his reasons for fighting the
war in the way he is doing.

He says that the Spanish force is so much larger and better armed than his
own, that he could not hope to win a pitched battle.

It is his opinion that the only way to fight the Spaniards with success is
constantly to worry them with small bodies of men, and waste the Spanish
money in keeping up the army until finally they cannot continue the war
any longer.

He feels sure of success in the end.