The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-08-13

New York, Aug IA special to the
Tribune from Washington says:
The actual campaign against Havana
has been fairly started, in accordance
with carefully maJured plan for
concerted operations between naval
and military operations for the siege of
that city. The distinction 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 severes punishment
to the Spanish guerilla forces at
Guantanamo in fights which were
marked by notable gallantry and hero
ism, has been holding an important po
sition which enabled the ships of the
navy freely to utilize that harbor as
a repair and coaling rendezvous.
The corps is now on the way to oc-
cUpy the Isle of Pines, which the
army and navy Strategists look upon
as the key to the capitulation of
Havana. It is on this island that most
of the provisions are produced which
have fed the capital of Cuba since the
blockade was inaugurated. Large
droyes of cattle have been sustaining
the Spanish garrison under General
Blanco. which defends the city and
almost altogether, through its various
subsistence supplies, has it been posi-
among the population of that munich
patty.
The expedition that left Guantanamo
Wednesday was under the direct COM
mand of Captain Goodrich, recently in
3 command of the ST. Louis, but now
commanding the cruiser Newark, form
erly flagship of Commodore Watson's
squadron, but now detached for special
duty as flagship of the Isle of Pines
expedition. The marine battalion under
Colonel Huntington, promoted Tor
meritorious service in Cuba, is en-
barked on the armored auxiliary,
ReSolute. which was especially fitted
at the beginning of the war for this
battalion and placed under the COM
mand of Commander Eaton. Accom-
panying the larger vessels are two
auXiliaries. the Suwanee, under Lieu
tenant Commander Delehanty, who
has for his executive officer Lieutenant
Blue, just promoted for heroism in
making two hazardous "Reminiscences
near Santiago, and the Scorpion, under
Lieutenant Commander Mark, who
was the judge advocate of the Maine
court of inquiry in Havana.
On reaching the south coast of the
Isle Of Pines. the squadron, by Smelling,
If necessary, Will cover the landing of
the marines. and an energetic campaign
to rid the island of Spanish troops will
begin Immediately. 1t is known that
strong force of Spaniards is main
tanned there by General Blanco to pro-
tect his indispensable source of sup
plies and as more than half of the
island is well wooded and hilly, stub
born resistance may be encountered A
number of the light draught vessels of |
Admiral Howell'S blockade squadron of |
the west coast of Cuba have been
ordered to support the landing party. !
and will take station in the shallow !
channels between the Isle of Pines and !
its nearest Cuban port, Batabano to |
cut off the retreat of the Spanish garri- |
son and to prevent General Blanco |
from sending forward any reinforce !
uents.
p The campaign is considered of vital |
Importance by the naval and military |
authorities and the marines will have !
an opportunity TO prove their fight /
ing ability if they succeed in carrying /
out the wish Of the authorities to Sc |
cure complete control of the island |
within a week.
The Isle of Pines has just about the !
same area as the state of Rhode Is
land. 1t is 43 miles long and So miles !
wide. its chief town being located on |
the north coast. about 80 miles south |
of Cuba. its population is about 1000,
but on account of its remarkable sal
ubrity, this is greatly increased to the
winter by the great number of health
seekers from Havana. Its coast line
is deeply indented with bays and in
lets. affording fine anchorage, but eX-
ceDt on the south shore il cannot be
approached by deep dra light vessels.
1t is well watered and has several |
rivers navigable inland about five miles
by craft drawing ten feet. Its soil is
so remarkably fertile that over half the
island is adapted for grazing pur-
poses.