New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-29
PLANS FOR THE WAR IN CUBA
ALANDING MAYBE MADE SOON
RESULTS OF THE ATTACK ON MArANZAS
IMPORTANT
EASE WITH WHICH A LoDGEMENr ON THE COAST
CAN BE MADE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ING PROGRESS IN RECRUITING THE
VOLUNTEER ARMY-PAssAGE
OF THE WAR REVENUE
BILL. ASSURED.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE 1RIBrSE.l
BILL ASSURED,

[BY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBrSE.1
Washington, April 2S-The eighteen minute
bombardment Of the Spanish batteries of Ma
tanzas engaged in yesterday by the New-forx.
the Cincinnati and the Puritan is not regarded
here as marking any defi ite change OF policy In
the conduct of the Cuban blockade. The OBJ
ject Of the attack was apparently to dlscour.
age any attempts on the part Of the Spanish
forces at MatanZas to enlarge the fortihcations
there, as well as 10 develop the real scope and
strength of the towns existing defenCes. Both
these purposes were fully accomplished after
eighteen minutes Of firing, for most OF the land
batteries had been silenced In that brief period.
and the comparative inefficency Of the arttl.
lerists on shore had been demonstrated by the
failure to hit any one Of the three American
warships. Nothing but reconnaissance was
intended apparently, by the acting Rear-Ad-
miral and, the desired results having been OBJ
tanned. the assault was abandoned and the rou-
tine work of the pacific blockade" was again
begun
A LODGEMENT EASY TO MAKE.
The result Of Wednesdays skirmish OF Ma
tanzas is accepted here as important, however.
in that it has disclosed the facility with which
n Judgement can be made at almost any point
on the north coast by an American landing
party Encouraged by the ease with which
the Spanish batteries at Matanzas were ~
duced. the Administration may determine IN
hasten the lardirg movement. which has been
one Of the chief features Of its Cuban plan OF
campaign. The prompt establishment OF base
Of operations Oh the north coast has been
deemed essential by the President and his ad-
visers for both political and military reasons
On the one hand. II Is held desirable to open
immediate communications with the insurgents.
to supply them with food guns and ammuni-
ton and otherwise equip them for land cam
paign in the rear Of Havana On the other
hand. it is considered an urgent duty to con-
yey relief il possible, to the Cuban reconcentra-
dos who can still be reached in the provinces
of Matanzas and Santa Clara. Such relief could
only be given effectively under the protection Of
rhe armed forces OF the United States.
EXPEDITION TO MOVE SOON.
In addition. it is thought expedient to estab-
lish sufficient foothod at once In Cuba to
allow the insurSent civil government 10 aban-
don the mountain Businesses and set up an or
eanzed administration Of whose stability and
! capacity it will soon he easy for the world to
.Ict r . s l,tdl1. Ape,..uon VII he SEPT
unlikely 1t will be composed of marines and
Regulars TO the number Of perhaps six thou
sand or eight thousand. and Judgement at or
near one Of the northern coast ports Will bc
effected and sustained by the guns Of the block
aiding fleet.
ANNOYED BY PORTrGALs DELAY.
The failure Of Portugal TO issue a proclama-
ton of neutrality is beginning TO give the Ad-
mn.s;ration some annoyance and concern The
! Minister of Portugal. Vscount de Santo Thyrso
paid IL visit TO the State Department to-day to
explain that his Government had not bad suff-
| cient time to act. and that a proclamation would
doubtless be issued within twenty -four or forty
! eight hours II is believed that a vigorous re-
monstrance has been forwarded to Lisbon by
the State Department and that the improperly
| of Spans continued use Of n Portuguese har~
Dor rs base for naval operations has been ur~
gently insisted on. speedy and satisfactory
response to this protest is expected from the
Portuguese Government.
GOOD PROGRESS IN RECRUITING.
Progress in recruiting the volunteer army Of
! 123OOO men called out by the President continues
TO be highly gratifying All difficulties In States
whose militia organizations seemed to be ser1-
ously affected by the adoption Of the three bat
TALON formation seem now In fair way OF
adjustment
In recognition Of its exceptional efficiency thA
! War Department has practically agreed 10 &C
cept the Pennsylvania Guard as whole.
though each of the regiments will have to re-
organize on the three battalion plan Maryland
has followed New-York's plan. and will select
from her Guard certain regiments which are to
90 to the front intact after recruiting to the
prescribed regimental strength. The Distr'ct OF
Columbia, after much effort on the part OF the
local Guardsmcn seems likely TO be allowed to
contribute a full regiment instead Of the single
battalion originally required by the GoVern
ment The mastering in Of the various State
quotas now promises 10 be delayed until the
middle end Of May
PASSAGE OF THE REVENUE BILL ASSURED.
The House of Representatives will vote to-
marrow ON the " ar Revenue bill, and lis pas
sage without amendment Is, OF course. assured.
Tho oppostion TO be raised in the Senate to the
| bond-issue section seems less formidable now
than II threatened to be few days ago The,
leaders Of the silver coalition are gradually
coming TO realize the folly Of antagon!zing
distinctive war measure on purely political and.
factonal grounds. and their efforts TO load down.
the House bill with incomc-tax, greenback-issue
and seigniorage amendments are likely to be
wholly perfunctory.
Senator Allison. al eminsntly conservative
authority made the prediction to-day that the
War Revenue measure would go through the
deliberative branch promptly and without mu-
tilaton. He said
We shall certainly not abandon a bond pro-
vision because ample provision must be made to
carry on the war. and this cannot be done by tax
alton clone Immediately. With 125,0O0 extra sol.
diers already called for and others to come. the
Covernmenf will ha q O be Sunplied with the sin.