Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-06-23
MOTIVE FOR ACTION.
Santiago Not to be Made a Military
Base Of Operations.
IT IS NOT ADAPTED TO THE PURPOSE,


WASHINGTON, June 29.-Now that
the army is about to set foot On Cuban |
soil, the purpose Of this move on San |
tiago was pointed out by an army OFF,
eial fully acquainted with the
general plan Of action. He said
that Santiago de Cuba was not
to be made a base of military opera
lions, as it was not adapted for such
use. Being far removed from the
rich and p~opulous portion Of the
island, without railroads on ordinary
highways for transporting munitions OF
war westward, the town would be
practically useless as q base OF military
supplies. For that reason, he said,
there had never been an idea Of occu-
plying this place Is the first base, and
then gradually extending military
| operations westward. On the con-
trary this occupation Of Santiago was
but an incident Of the general plan OF
occupying several points, and bin u
time there would be landings at the
west end OF Cuba just as there had
been at the east end
When that occurred each point OF
landing would serve for the time be-
ing as O base for the surrounding
country. Santiago could NJ more be
used as a base for reaching Havana
than could Havana for reaching Santl.
ago.
The occupation OF Santiago, he
incidental but very desirable ends.
First of these was the capture of Ad'
miral Cervera's feet, which would al
ways remain q menace and an uncer-
tain factor until entirely disposed Of.
Another point which had come up
was the relief Of Hobson and his brave
band Of associates. While this might
seem O minor matter, yet the govern
ment always had been most solicitor:
of relieving and protecting Its citizens
and just now there was added reason
why the strongest efforts OF the gov
eminent should be put forth for the
rescue Of this heroic band.
Great Britain had sent an expedi
tion into the heart Of Africa to rescu,
one of its imprisoned heroes, Gen. Cor
don, at Khartoum. The United State
should do as much, and the raising o
the American flag on Cuban soil
whether at the east or tho west end
would have Q powerful moral infu
ence, alike stimulating to owl
people and our fighting forces and dis
heartening to Spain.
! The humiliation to Spain was In hav
Ing our men and our flag planted o
her soil, whether the particular poin
!. was to be used as o base Of operation
= or not. It would also convey notice t
the world at largo that the Unite
= States was entrenched on the island G
!. Cuba as well as in the Philippines.
q Next to Havana, Santiago is th
Q largest city In Cuba. Its possessio
o means the possession Of practically th
eastern end Of the island, including q
of the.two eastern provinces and we
l. up to the famous trocha. It embract
also the River Cauto, the Largest rive
in Cuba, and the one used by 6paniart
and insurgents alike for their most e
d fective naval %incursions inland. a
though shallow it can be navigated
,, lightdraft gunboats. launches, ett
e and it provides q water highway, mus
better than roads, for tapping 10 gre
4, stretch Of the interior of the island.
le With Santiago occupied, therefor
a. there will be the advantage OF q loo
ID base of operations; the elimination
the Spenish fleet as a factor In the wa
the release of Hobsou and his ban
I'd and the establishment of an Americ'
force under the American flag On Spa
1t ish soil.