New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-27
4 PLAN TO TAKE HAVANA.
SUGGESTIONS FROM PASSENGER ON
THE SARATOGA.
THE vEssEr. LEFT THE CHIEF CUBAN PORT JUST
AS THE B1OCKADING FLEET APPROACHED
THE Isr.AND-MoRPo's WARNING MIS-
rAKrN EoR HOSTILE SHOTS
TAKEN FOR HOSTILE SHOTS.

AS THE BlOCKADlNG FLEET AffitoANhED
THE IsLAxD-MoRPo's WARNING MIS-
TAKEN FOR HOSTILE SHOTS.
The steamer Saratoga which arrived at this port
yesterday from Havana. was the last American
vessel TO leave Cuban ports. she salIen IRON"
Havana at 6 O'CLOCK. on the evening of April .
just as the blockading feet had been sleh'ed py
the Spanish lookouts and IS she passed. out OF inc
harbor three guns were fred from MORO Castle 10
inform the people that the United States fleet had
been sighted The Saratoga belongs TO the New
York and cuba Mail steamship Company whlch
has sent a number of vessels to Cuban ports win
supplies supposed TO he for the Spanish Army
She left Havana with 2u refugees on board. prin-
c!pally Cubans She also carried 100000 In specie
as well as large cargo Of sugar and tobacco.
The Saratoga left this port for Havana with
large cargo of provisions. and when she arrived
there on April IS the pier was crowded with span
sh soldiers and number OF spanish sympat MYERS
in Havana who cheered the vessel. It's captain and
the steamship line which had sent the provisions
to the Spanish Army. The steamer was quickly
unloadeA and then set sail According 10 the
story as told the red flag of war was run up on
Moro Castle and three guns were fred as the
vessel steamed past.
Some Of the passengers the Saratoga thought
these shots were intended for her. and there was
great excitement This was increased when the
steamer passed Casa Blanca and the soldiers and
officers there yelled at the passengers. and con-
demned them all TO climate warmer than Cubas'
at the same time even the officers shaking their
fists
II was not until the steamer got outside the
harbor that the passengers on the Saratoga knew
what had caused the excitement. and then they
sighted eight United States naval vessels. TWO
OF these vesselo came alongside OF the Saratoga
and made investigation to see whether the
steamer a Spanish vessel or not. They were
the Ericsson and the Cushing They allowed the
Saratoga 10 proceed on finding that she was an
American vessel bound for Newly ork.
Among the passengers was Soto Navarro. a
wealthy Cuban merchant who went TO the Fifth
Avenue Hote. Another was Louis Frank OF No.
90 West Thrty-ffh-st. Nearly all OF the pas
sengcrs sympathizers with the Cuban cause
and anxious to Cuba free. Every pas
senger reported great excitement in Havana. and
the constant drilling OF troops and preparation for
the war.
Cuba and has large business interests there. lie
refused 10 allow his be used. as II might
iniure his business in Havana but he said:
Il have covered the island many times during the
putting up an magniicent fight II the Tinted states
desires to make its campaign In Cuba successful 4
will have to cooperate with the insurgents II
would not be necessary for the United States g
send a large force into Cuba such thing would
be dangerous at this season OF the year. The Span
iards are now relying on the climate to XII on the
American troops That landed on the island more
than they are on their own force OF arms What
tho spanards would most dread would be the CO.
gents II the United states WOul1 seize one or the
small ports, say in the Province OF Santiago de
Cuba, on the north coast and there establish a
base OF supplies they would be making a good
move These small ports are practically unpro-
tected and could be taken easily. After they were
captured II would be necessary 10 land artillery 20
defend the place. Calixto Garcia Of the Cuban
Army. is in this vicinity and soon cOmmuni cation
could be opened with him. II he was supplied with
sufficient arms and ammunition he could push on
through the other provinces. carrying all before
him lie could DO this with HIS own troops and the
Cubans who not now fighting by reason OF lack
Of arms and ammunition.
They could then push forward into the Prov
ince OF Puerto Principe. and from there meet Cen
eral Gomez and join forces with him In Santa Clara
Province. While this being done another
small port on the south coast should be taken as
another base OF supplies. II port Ike Trinidad
was taken railroad communication could be opened
up with the interior. This plan would not take
three weeks TO carry out. and then the united
Cuban army could move on Havana. am con-
ndent that at least one hundred thousand Cubans
would be in the army II they had the arms and
ammunition.
This plan that have outlined would not neces;
state the sending of large number OF United
States troops into the island all that would be
needed would he sufficient number OF artillery
men 10 protect the base OF supplies. and they could
work in conjunction with the naval vessels which
would protect them from attack AZ sea. Havana
could then be captured with the assistance Of the
balance % the American feet. With Havana taken
the war will come to an abrupt end"