The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-08-13
CAMPAIGN AGAINST HAVANA.
Active Steps to Carry GU, Original Plans
Commenced.

New York. Aug. IA special 10 the
Tribune from Washington says:
The actual campaign against Havana
has been fairly started In accordance e
with carefully ma,ured plan tor con-
c,rtcd operations for the siege Of tnat
ely. The distinction OF taking the in
itiative has been given 70 the marine
corps battalion. which, two months ago,
made the nrst American landing In force
on Cuban soil and after administering se-
we're punishment to the spanish guerilla
forces at Guantanamo In fights which
were marked by notable gallantry and
heroism. has been holding an important
position which enabled the ships OF the
navy to freely utilize that har6or as a re-
pair and coaling rendezvous.
The corps is now on the way to occupy
the Isle OF Pines which the army and
navy strategis,s ,ook upon as the key 70
the capitulalon ot Havana, II Is on this
island thar most OF the provisions are
produced which have led the capital OF
Cuba since tho blockade was inaugurated.
Large droyes OF cattle have been sustain
ing the spanish garrison under General
BRnco, which defends the city, and al
most altogether. through It's various SUD
sistence supplies has 1t been possible 90
avert wholesale starvation among the
population OF that municipality The eX-
pedtion that left Guantanamo Wednes-
day was under the direct command OF
Captain Goodrich, recently in command OF
the ST. Louis, but now commanding the
cruiser Newark formerly the flagship Of
Commodore WatSons squadron, but now
detached for special duty as flagship OF
the Isle OF Pines The marine battalion
under Colonel Huntington, promoted for
mtrtoriouS services In Cuba is embarked
on the armored auxiliary cruiser Reso-
ginning OF the war Tor this battalion ana
placed under the command OF Commodore
Eaton, Accompanying the larger vessels
are two uUNihariys. the Suwlnee. under
command OF Lieutenant Commander Del
ehanty who has for It's executive officer
Lieutenant Blue, just promoted for hero
ism I'm making two hazardous reconnois-
NAltNNN l'AA NNAitlNkNn AUN tue CNNApAONt
under Lieutenant Commander Marx
.On reaching the south coast of the Isle
OF Pines the squadron, by shelllug, If nee
cssary win cover the landing OF the ma
rnes and an energetic campaign to ria
the island of spanish troops will begin
Immediately Ii is known that strong
force OF Spanish is maintained there by
General Bl0uco TO protect his indispeus-
able source of supplies, and stubborn re-
sstanvo may be encountered
The campaign is considered Of vital Inn
portance by the naval and military auth
critics and the marines viii have an op-
powunity to prove their lighting ability II
they succeed In carrying out the wish or
The authorities to secure complete con-
troll of the island within week,
The Isle of Pines has just about the
same area as the state of Rhode Island,
Its population is about 1000, but on ac-
count of its remarkable salubrlty this is
greatly increased In the winter by great
numbers of health seekers from Havana.
II is well watered and has several rivers
navigable inland about FIVE miles by
craft drawing ten feet IT'S soil is so re-
markahly fertile that over half the island
is adapted for grazing purposes,