Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-01
THE FORWARD MOVEMENT

Judging from the information which
the military authorities permit to be
made public the invasion of Cuba is an
accomplished fact. The reported ar
engagements contemplated the landing of
a large force at several points and as
Stunning that the plans understood to
nave been decided upon were carried
out, thousands of American soldiers are
now on the island and will prepare
the way for more to speedily follow.
win the Spanish squadron securely
seaied IN the harbor Of Santiago de
CUBA there is no danger from the
enemy in transporting troops and there
should be very little in landing them
under the guns of our war ships. OF
course the invasion will not be made
at IL single point, but forces will be
anded ut several points, near enough TO
a other, probably, to allow of an
early junction and consolidation of the
several forces. 1t appears to be the
intention to throw into Cuba as RAPIDLY
as possible an army of mt least 10000
ana to Increase it later on to perhaps
double that strength. The force low
moVlng into Cuba can meanwhile oc-
cupy itself in establishing a firm foot
hold and in such operations as may be
necessary to ascertain the strategic posi-
tons and he probable strength of the
enemy. 1t VIII also keep Open COM
mG1fication with the coast. so that the
military authorities at Washington can
be constantly appraised of what is taking
place and the landing of. additional
forces can be made without the protec<
ton of a fleet.
once i~ntrenched upon Cuban soil it is
to be expected that the American army
VIII push the campaign with great vigor
ana energy. There seems to be no doubt
that it Is the purpose Mt Washington to
make it short, sharp and decisive but
1t must not be thought that our army
will walk straight into Havana. The
idea that widely prevailed before hos
tilities begun, that all the United States
needed to do was to send the regular
army into Cuba n our war ships to
havana n the Spaniards would sur
render, is not now entertained by any
''"S - "i'fhhiy IhttttiSelIte. IL Is
universally realized that our army will
have fighting to do in Cuba, some of 1T
hard fighting and while ultimate victory
Is certain we must look for reverses be-
fore 1t Is achieved. The fact that q
greatly inferior force of insurgents kept
the field against the Spanish army for
more IA three years affords no fair
pI.ttnp.tnn 90 thn t.,lti,- 80, - H.
Spaninrds, because the Insurgents
avoided battle and depended on guerrilla
warfare. This was necessary, for had
they adopted II different course they
probably could not nave held out six
months. The.r hope of success was in
wearing out the Spaninrds, in leaving
them to be decimated by disease. The
American army goes to Cuba to wage
aggressive hoStilities. 1t will not wait
for the Spaniards to come to It; il Will
go to the Spaniards. AS soon as 1t Is
ready to strike the Now will be deliv-
cred. Let no II suppose that the foe
will not fight and fight bravely. The
Spanish forces are largely composed of
seasoned soldiers and these MS well as
the volunteers are imbued with rs
earnest, If less intelligent, patriotism rs
are our soldiers, while they have conf
dence which 1t will require more than
one defeat to shntter.
The invasion of Cuba could not have
prudently taken place ut, an earlier
time. Perhaps military experts may
doubt whether the volunteer force is now
sufficiently trained to be sent there. But
the conditions generally are favorable
to the movement and the action of the
military authorities Will be approved by
the country.