The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-13
THE ISLE OF PINES
1T HAS BEEN HAVANA'S BASE OF
SUPPLIES
The Capture Will Be Made Before the
Protocol Is Signed-No Resist
ance Expected

NEW YORK, Aug. IA special to the
Tribune from Washington says:
The actual campaign against Havana has
been fairly started. in accordance with a
carefully matured plan for concerted ope-
rattons between naval and military opera
tons for the siege of that city. The dis
tlnction of taking the initiative has been
given TO the marine corps battalion, which
two months ago made the first American
landing in force on Cuban soil. And after
administering severe punishment to the
Spanish guerrilla forces at Guantanamo In
fights which were marked by notable gal
lantry and heroism, the battalion has been
holding an important position which en-
abled the ships of the navy to utilize that
harbor a repair and coaling rendezvous.
The corps is now on the way to occupy the
Isle of Pines, which the army and navy
strategsts look upon as the key to the ca
pitulation of Havana. 1t is on this island
that most of the provisions are produced
which have fed the capital of Cuba since
the blockade was inaugurated. Its droves
OF cattle have been sustaining the Spanish
garrison under General Blanco, which de-
tends the city, and almost altogether
through its various subsistence supplies has
II been possible to avoid wholesale starva.
ton among the population of that munich
pality.
The expedition that left Guantanamo
Wednesday was under the direct command
of Captain Goodrich, recently in command
OF the st. Louis. but now commanding the
cruiser Newark, formerly flagship Of Com
modore Watson's squadron. but now de-
tached for special duty as flagship Of the
Isle Of Pines expedition. The marine bat
talon under Colonel Huntington. promoted
for meritorious service in Cuba, is embark
ed on the armored auxiliary steamer Reso-
lutte, which was especially fitted at the be-
ginning of the war for this battalion and
placed under the command of Commander
Watson. Accompanying the larger vee-
sells are two auxiliaries, the Suwanee, un-
der Lieutenant Delehanty, who has for his
executive Office Lieutenant Blue, just pro-
NOTED for heroism In making two hazard.
ous "Reminiscences near Santiago, and the
Scorpion, under Lieutenant-Commande
Mark, who was the judge of the
Maine Court of Inquiry in Havana.
On reaching the south coast of the Isle
of Pines the squadron, by Smelling, If neces-
sary, will cover the landing Of the ma
rines and an energetic campaign 10 rid the
island of Spanish troops will begin i'm
mediately. 1t is known that strong force
of Span!ards is maintained there by Gen.
eral Blanco to protect his indispe ne a Bile
source Of supplies, and as more than half
the island Is we'll wooded and billy, stub
born resistance may be encountered. A
number of light draught vessels of Admir-
81 10
coast Of Cuba have been ordered to sup
port the landing party and will take sta
| ton in the shallow channels between the
Isle of Pines and its nearest Cuban port.
| Batabano, to cut off the retreat of the
Spanish garrison and to prevent General
Blanco from sending forward reinforce
ments.
The campaign is considered Of vital i'm
portance by the naval and military author
tiles and the marines will have an oppor-
tunity to prove their fighting ability II
| they succeed in carrying out the wish of
| the authorities to secure complete control
of the island within a week.
| The Isle of Pines has Just about the
same area as the State of Rhode Island l.
| Is forty-three miles long and thirty-five
miles wide, its chief town being located on
the north coast about thirty miles south of
Cuba. It's population is about 2OOO but on
account of Its remarkable salubrity this
is greatly increased in the winter by the
great number of health seekers from Ha-
vana. Its coast line is deeply indented witt
bays and inlets, affording fine anchorage,
but except on the south shore 1t cannot be
approached by deep-draught vessels. 1t is
we'll watered and has several rivers navig-