The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-07
Advantages
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BahiaHOnda

Matanzas, according to a gentleman
we'll acquainted with the topography OF
Cuba, is not good place for the Amer
ican army to take as q base of supplies
for military operations against Havana.
In the first place, Matanzas city Ia q
focus of yellow fever, worse even than
Havana itself Next, the roads between
Matanzas and Havana are in very bad
condition, and heavy artillery could not
be safely moved ove~ them, especially
during the rainy season. Though rail-
road exists between Matanzas and Ha-
vana, it could not be used easily for the
transportation Of the invading army.
Tho line is controlled W the spaniards,
and they have at present strong military
stations at Aguacate and Jaruco, in Ha-
vana province Their first step would
be to destroy the track should an at
tempt be made by tho Americans to
reach Havana by train.
But Matanzas would serve as a good
base of operations for the Cuban army.
The Cubans can march ON horseback
from Matanzas to Havana, because they
will not have to carry the heavy inn
pedimenta of supply wagons, artillery
and hospita, service necessary to reg
ular army of invasion. Late in 1895
Gomez and Maceo crossed from Matan.
zas to Havana in this fashion after rout-
ing Martinez Cnmpos at the battle Of
Colisso. Now Calixto Garcia and Co
mez, if well armed, could do the same,
first taking Matanzas with the help Of
the American navy.
The best landing places in Cuba for
the American army il an attack on Ha-
vana is intended are Bahia Honda and
Mariel, on the western half of the is
land, ON the northern coast Of Pinar del
Rio province. Bahia Honda, which
means deep bay" has capacity enough
and tho necessary depth for anchorage,
to accommodate the American warships
and the big American transports. Be-
sides, the danger Of yellow fever is less
there because Of tho absence of the filth
that characterizes large Spanish towns
in Cuba. Another consideration is that
the roads from Mariel or Bahia Honda
to Guanajay are excellent, and that
from Guanajay to Havana the highway
Is one Of the best in its class ever known
to Cuba. Mariel is even better than Ba-
hia Honda because it is snearer Guanajay
and outside Of the long chain of noun
tains called Sierra de los Organos.
There can be no doubt that the Span
iards, knowing the advantages Of Mari
ell and Bahia Honda as landing places
for the American army, have mined
both ports and built Notifications along
the highway between Guanajay and
Havana. 1t lis known that the Spaniards
have 10, 900 men intrenched at the Ha-
vana end of that road, and that they
keep large force also at Guanajay city.
But in spite of that a landing at Mariel
would be better than at Matanzas,
where besides the resistance of the
Spaniards, the American troops would
encounter many natural obstacles.
Between Mariel and Bahia Honda the
port of Cabanas affords also good facili-
ties for landing, but at Cabanas the
depth of water is not much greater than
at Mariel, and it is farther west from
Havana. Mariel has been quarantine
station OF the Spanish, and their big
Transatlantic steamers have anchored
there.
When the American army invades
Cuba, the Cuban Army Of the East,
which is the most useful part of the rev.
olutionary forces in the island, will be
at the west attacking the Spaniards.
Havana, il the blockade is kept up until
then, will be starving, and but little
resistance could be offered by General
Blanco. According to the latest plan,
at least 80, 900 American troops are to
disembark in Cuba. York Sun.