The herald., 1898-07-23
ON TO HAVANA!

with the fall of Porto Rico-which
lis of course foregone conclusion-"On
to Havana!" will be the next rallying
cry of our fleets and troops. The taking
of the latter city will be the eliminating
point Of the war-the coup de grace to
Spanish dominion in Cuba If our sailors
and soldiers found the conquest of San
Itiago a very tough piece Of work, there
is every reason to believe that the taking
of Havana will require still greater sac
rifices of men and munitions Of war. That
our army and navy will prove competent
to the task of reducing the chief city of
vana ten times as we'll equipped for de-
Tense as 1t is, the skill, bravery and en-
durance of American soldiers, the intrep-
idity, GOODNESS and heroism of American
naval officers and men. would make the
final reduction of the place but matter
| Of time. Without the least faint of
egotism, be it said, people at home feel
the truth of this conviction in their bones,
and all the nations that have witnessed,
| in broad daylight, the war scenes of THE
| last few weeks on the mainland and
waters Of the Caribbean sea, share that
conviction with us. Nevertheless, 1t is
the part of wisdom to know, as far as
we may, the work before us in Havana.
A British subject. arrested as spy, but
afterwards released, in that city, fur
nishes the London Standard with facts
touching the defensive status of Havana
we'll worthy the attention of the war de-
partment at Washington. He says the
Spanish garrison of Havana consists of
$4,000 troops, while recruits are coming
in daily. Owing to the peculiar policy
pursued by our government from the be-
ginning of the war, General Blanco has
had abundant time to strengthen the de-
lenses of Havana, until that city is now
pronounced to be practically impre enable
Our soldiers will therefore have to take
many machete which would not have
had to be encountered had the Wash
ington powers that be decreed the in
lvestment Of Havana In the early part of
June last, as suggested by this journal
Two hundred guns have been mounted
on the shore batteries. including six
twelve-inoh cannon, since that time Two
lines of defense have been completed in
land in the last month or two, land 1t is
believed that the capture of the city
would demand $4,000 American troops at
| the least" So says this dishnt erested Eng
lishman. speaking from actual observa-
ton. Referring to other phases Of the
situation in Havana and Of the status Of
the garrison there, he says:
There is no prospect Of starvation for
some time to come, as meat Is selling
| at only fifteen cents pound, and, while
flour is scarce, there is plenty of corn
meal and rice. The supply Of coal may,
leave the city in total darkness. AS yet
there are 49, 900 tons in sight. and 1t is
reported that 600O0 tons may be avail
ton, the temper of the troops is excel
lent and their health good, while large
numbers of Cubans are already veer-
ing around toward Spain. General Mes
sopara, an insurgent leader, has even
raised 1000 men to assist the Spanish
troops.
While Havana presents this bold front
it is hardly to be expected that the vain
glorious self-confident dons will sue for
peace. 1t is a pity that the moral force
Of the enemy, In this regard, should have
it's source in an early blunder of the board
of strategy at Washington. But the
United States has been in the sunshine Of
so much good luck since the war began
that even the policy of delay in striking
decisive blow at Havana may prove
that our war authorities, in that regard,
built better than they knew" Perhaps,
by the time our victorious troops return
from Porto Rico Havana will have capt.
ulated. This is upon the principle Of the
adage, when the sky falls we will catch
larks." Havana will capitulate, as did
Santiago, In the last ditch. And cost what
it may, she will be put there. Delenda est
Havana!