Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-04-23
aatistellaneous 8eadin9.
HOW WAR WILL BEGIN.
Plan Formulated to Make Spain Com
mence Hostilities.

Plan Formulated to Make Spain Com
mence Hostilities.
Washington Dispatch to The Globe-Democrat.
Some 10 days ago the lawyers in the
senate, who had been requested by
representatives of the administration
to make a research of international
law and the precedents upon which
the powers would proceed after the
close of our war with Spain, reported
that the recognition of the insurgents
as form of government or the decla-
ration of independence of the island
would certainly fasten upon the United
States the debt of both the Cuban
government and Spain, and after the
administration had begun procedure
to avoid the responsibility in the dec
laration by congress programme was
mapped out, and here it is, from a
high official:
"When the joint resolution becomes
law one of the fleets Of our navy,
possibly the one that has been sta
toned at Hampton Roads, will be
used as convoy to accompany fleet
proyisioned for the succor of the starv-
ing people of the island of Cuba.
There will possibly be six or eight of
the warships of various descriptions,
and possibly like number of mer-
chantmen loaded with clothing, pro-
visions, physicians and nurses. The
objective point is Matanzas, but it is
likely lower point on the island will
be selected, as it is reported that the
harbor at Matanzas has been. planted
with mines and torpedoes.
"It is confidently expected that the
Spanish will resist the landing of this
feet. 1t will certainly accept the mis-
sion as one of war rather than of mer-
cy and peace. The firing upon this
fleet by Spain will be parallel, in the
rules of war to the firing upon Fort
Sumter by the Confederates.
"The administration has been con-
sulting the policy of President Lincoln
in so proceeding with affairs in the
bay of Charleston as to be on the de-
fensive rather than the offensive at the
opening of our Civil war. 1t is said
that Lincoln's policy was to make it
clear that the Federal government
would not be antagonized by any of
the foreign powers, iDasmuch as we
had not precipitated the war, and,
secondly, to avoid the payment at the
close of the war of damages that would
be incurred on account of the destruc-
ton of property by Federal troops,
but owned by the Confederates, first
Congress not having made declara-
ton which would, in written law,
make US financially responsibility be alb.
solved from any financial liabilities
incurred by any one on the island of
Cuba, and, secondly, we will have
made it impossible for any armed in
reference upon the part of any of the
powers.
"It is believed that there will be a
junction of the marine and other forces
landed by our fleets and the insurgents
at the point of our landing in Cuba.
War will then be in existence. Imme-
diately there is to be march to the
seaports in the direction of Havana
and each one will be taken as reached.
Contemporaneous with the movement
of our soldiers on land will be that of
our fleet at Key West on the harbor of
Havana, which city is to be lombard
ed from every direction.
"After the departure of the Spanish
troops from Cuba will come the serious
question of privateering upon all YES
sells sailing under the American flag.
1t is not believed that more than three
weeks can elapse after the passage Of
the resolution by congress before the
bombardment of Havana, unless Spain
voluntarily evacuates the island Of
Cuba. 1t is believe that many months
will elapse before the privateering on
our merchantmen on the sea can be
stopped"