The Red Cloud chief., 1898-04-22
SPANS VERY POOR ARMY.
Soldiers Ignorant Of the Use 81 Arms
She Has Good We pons.

Soldiers Ignorant OF the Use 81 Arms
She Has Good Weapons.
NEW YORK, April 1s.-A dispatch 10
the New York Times from Washing
ton says: 1T is expected that tho
forces that will be used in Cuba will
consist Of cavalry, infantry and light
artillery. Heavy artillery could hard
ly he used in the wet season. and be-
sides. 1t would not be necessary in
operations against the Spaniards.
Consul General Lee, it is understood.
advised the use of these branches of
the service for the campaign in Cuba.
lie is OF the opinion that the army can
successfully conduct operations in the
island during the wet weather if it
has cavalry and light batteries. Rapid
fire guns and plenty of them will bc
depended on very largely to do the
fighting.
ut is reported by all observers Of
the military methods OF the Spaniards
that their infantry at onco forms n
hollow square upon the approach of
cavalry. This military formation has
been in practice for Il century and the
S%paniards have not learned any other
way to rcpcl cavalry attacks Mill.
tary experts say that when an army is
so formed it can he decimated bv
rapid fire guns and destroyed IL It does
not soon break such formation. The
cavalry will be used to force the Span.
iards into position, to get them at bav
as it were, and the infantry and light
artillery will then attack with rapid
fire guns.
1T is said that the Spanish forces
in Cuba are poorly armed. They have
"a fairly good rifle, the Miuser, but are
I~nadcquately supplied with ammuni-
ton, and most OF the troops. being
young boys, do not know how To use
their guns. In rapid fire gum they
are very deficient. Artillery is their
weakest point and they cannot now
supply the deficiency. Even Havana
is defended by a%ntiquatcd cannon,
with the exception Of six fine new
krupp guns, which, however, have
been allowed to rust on their CARR.
ages. and the artiller.s.s do not know
ANYTHING about their use.
AT Matanzas they have four guns
81 the same kind-hcavy 10 and ~
inch cannon-but there arc no cart.
ridges for hem and they are perfectly
useless. 1t is said there is only one
ordnance officer in the ~armv-Ordri-
neau-who understands the handling
Of such guns.
General Lee. il is understood, ad
..--l a. ,,.a- a "
good regiments would lie sufficient for
the first movements in Cuba lie re.
lies very strongly upon the efficiency
OF the army under General Gomez and
General Garcia, which would natural.
ly he III allies in war. lie reports
that the revolutionists have an effect.
i've army Of 10, OoD troops which they
could increase TO 100, 600 almost any
time IL the arms for them were found.
Another element in the war that
General Lee, it is understood. COM
mented On, is that SPANS troops in
Cuba are depending upon this country
for food supplies. The island can be
entirely shut off from food by the
action of the United States. 1t is
estimated that Havana would suffer
as much as il it were actually be-
sicged If we should prevent our ships
from carrying anything for the Span
iards and the Spanish ships from pro-
curing supplies from our ports.
Havana, it IS said, by consuls and
all who haze studied the condition of
affairs on the island, IS absolutely
without food. 1t is said, indeed, that
none OF the Spanish armies have any
stores OF provisions and that Havana
is worse off than any other place. An
attacking force that merely contents
itself with shutting Off the food sup
plies would soon reduce them to sub.
mission.
1t is very probable that one Of the
plans of the military authorities is IL
make effective allies OF the Cubans by
arming them, and thus turning n good
lighting force OF 100, 900 men against
the Spaniards. 1t is said that arrange
ments are already made looking "
this end and insuring the immediate
and effective cooperation Of the
American and Cuban forces.
COAL For SPAIN.