Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-10-19
DELAY THE INVASION.
Will Take Time to Prepare Quart
ers for the Occupancy of
the American Army.

New York, Oct. IA dispatch to the
Herald from Havana says: If the Pres
ident listens to the recommendation of
the military commission only a very small
body of troops will reach Havana earlier
than December. Coils. Lee and Hecker
go so far as to recommend that the land
ing be made no earlier than fOrty-fve
days. There are two reasons for this.
The first is that the weather will be
much improved by December. The sec
0nd and more important reason is the
desire to use no docks, warehouses, hos
pltalS or camps that have been used by
the Spanish or Cubans. This is the only
way yellow fever can be avoided.
The commissioners urge the President
to authorize them to build everything
new. If this authority is given, orders
for material that are already written out
will be at once cabled to the United
States and by November 1 the material
Will be here and not more than thirty
days will be required to do all the neces-
sary work.
The point of Decentralization will de-
pend upon the number of men sent here.
The troops will camp in the hills south
east OF GuanabacOa, where plans are al
ready made TO care for at least one divi-
sion. about 5000 soldiers.
If the President decides he cannot wait
ullII DSCSL1USI the troops Will nave to
dlsembark in this city. which means that
they will come in direct contact with
fever. Ii the coming of troops can be
delayed until December as recommended.
piers and warehouses can be built at Coil
mar or at Mariel, probably at the latter
place.
The most perfect ~fumigating plant pos
slble to obtain will be erected and all
supplies which arrive in broken packages
will be thoroughly disinfected. After
landing at Marjel troops will be marched
three miles to Guanajay, where they will
take cars to the GuanabacOa hills.
Before they have arrived labOrers will
have prepared the camp, constructing
floors for the tents. The floors will be
raised at least fifteen inches from the
ground, giving space for the circulation
OF air. Excellent water will be piped to
the camp at small cost.
The matter of proper food for the sol
dlers is now receiving considerable atten-
ton. 1t is safe to predict that hard tack
and bacon will be discarded as the staple
Of diet.
The impression is growing in the minds
OF the American commissions that Spain
expects that the United States will ulti-
mately assist in sending the Spanish
troops back 10 the peninsula. 1t may be
that the present VeXatiOus delays are
caused for the purpose of trying American
patience until Mckinley will be glad to
NcIu SHIPS IL OIuef 10 expedite matters.
At any rate the Spanish commissioners
never lose an opportunity TO dwell upon
American wealth and SIP: nish poverty. AT
the last joint session this was brought out
by Parade, who said that Spain should be
allowed to take away the big guns protect
ing Havana because the United States
could replace them without feeling the
cost. At last Sundays breakfast SPANS
lack of funds was alluded to time and
time again by the Spanish commissioners
who would roll their eyes and say:"The
United States must remember that we are
in a bad condition. The poor reconcen-
trado cannot be expected to travel with
the speed of a nan in full health
Finally, at Thursdays informal confer
ence. the subject was openly discussed.
Parade said that Spain had sent agents
into all European countries to ngage
transports. Their lack of success was
due to the lack of cash. This condition,
he said, could not be improved until the
country had enjoyed a few years of peace.
Parade further said: I'VE will do our
best to get the soldiers out of Cuba imme-
diately, but if our movements are too
slow you will have to put US out"
The matter has been reported to Wash
ington and it is quite probable some az
rangement has been made to lend assist
ance, either without pay or by taking
Spanish securities.