Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-23
PREPARATIONS MADE
American Troops Could Be Landed
in Cuba Within Ten Days.
IT LIES With SPAIN TO DECIDE
Military VIII Not Wait for the
Rainy Season.
POSSIBLE PLAN OF RELIEF

1t is said that preparations have been
made so that within ten days. or about
that time. eighty thousand American
troops can be landed in Cuba. According
to reliable information. nothing remains to
be done but to issue orders for the move
ment of troops. To make up the force new
enlistments will be unnecessary, but the
militia regiments will be mustered in just
as they stand. The preparations for this
have been made. The matter of trans
portation. military stores and all that has
been provided for, and it remains only fer
orders to be issued when the occasion
arises.
Spain Can Decide.
1t now lies with Spain to decide whether
the troops are to be put in motion. Every
opportunity consistent with the dignity and
honor of this government will be given
spain to avoid the clash, but the general
conclusion is that an end must be put to
the barbarity in Cuba; that the famine and
devastation called war must cease or there
VIII De real war, which is expected to be
sharp, snort and decisive 1t is not the in
tention Of the military authorities. it is
sald, TO tolerate such delay as will render
military operations impossible by reason of
the opening of the rainy season
Loops of the telegraph companies have
Deen placed in the War Department so
that they can have free use of the wires
ui[ectiy 10 any point in the United States
Where wires are strung. without the DELAY
OF Sendlng messages through the main of
noes Every point where troops are as
semoleo, regular or militia, can be reached
almost In an instant with perfect secrecy.
Inc suggestion made in The Star last
FRIDAY That the President had in contem-
piatlon IAN Intervention of charity" send
ing relief to the starving people of the en-
slre Island OF Cuba, within the lines of the
insursents. as well as within the fortified
towns controlled by SPAIN Is confirmed by
the fntimations the President has since
gwen men In Congress with whom he has
discussed the situation. Dispatches in
morning papers announcing this policy to-
uay mss the point in not stating that the
rehef Is proposed to be sent to all parts of
the Island, and not merely to the recon-
centradoS.
Seriousness of the Proposition
The seriousness of the proposition lies in
that. Relief is already being sent to the
reconccntrados with the assent of Spain.
The difficulty anticipated is in getting
Spain tc assent to the distribution of this
relief outside the provinces where the Span
Ism authorities are in control. 1t is init
ated that the administration is going to
persist in this plan, as a logical develop
ment OF the Inauguration of the relief
movement. Charity, it Is held, cannot be
restricted to the loyal Spanish subjects, but
and children, no matter in what part of
the island they languish nor under what
nag their fathers, brothers or husbands
serve.
Some Difference of Opinion.
There is some difference of opinion in
Congress as to the wisdom of this policy
Seine men in both houses say that a more
direct Intervention would be better and at
present 1t looks as If there might be some
discussion ever any proposition recon-
mendei by the President for an appropria-
ton to carry out relief measures. 1t is
thought that Spain would be as ready to
withdraw ler troops from Cuba to sub
init 70 this government sending food and
clothing tic any part of the island within
the insurgent lines. 1t is thought. there
fore, that If this IS done it will have to be
by force and result in direct armed inter-
veEtiOn in the end. 1t is settled conyic-
tion that the administration policy, what
ever course in detail it may take will mean
but one thing-the liberation of Cuba: and
the attitude Of Spain leaves little hope that
war can be averted- Information among
the best-informed men in Congress is that
the military authorities ali agree that war
Is almost certain. and that the preparations
that are made are with the expectation
that both the army and the navy will be
called into service very soon after the Pres
ioent has communicated with Congress.