The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-26
WEAK PORTS WILL Do
As Well as Any From Which
to Arm the Cubans.
CIENFUEG0S AND SAGUA
Could be Taken Without the
Loss of Men or of Time.
CIENFUEG0S AND SAGUA

Washington, April 25-The strategic
boards of the army and navy are being
urged 20 supplement- the pacific blockade
by the taking Of one port on the north
coast of Cuba and one on the south coast
for the purpose OF establishing a juno
tion with General Corners insurgent
troops at Sancd Spiritus and with General
Garcia's insurgent forces in Santiago de
legation, said today that movements OF
this character would be extremely val
liable in opening up connection with the
insurgent forces. It IS felt that small
ports could be taken practically without
opposition and that Cienfuegos, on the
south coast, and Sagua La Grande, on the
north coast, are probably best fitted in
point of location and lack of coast defen-
ses, as the bases of supplies. Caeufuegos,
on the south coast, is the point most &C
cessible to the commands of both Gomez
and Garcia. while Sagua Is within easy
reach of Gomez. BY having two bases,
one on the south. the danger OF Interrupt
ton in the communication from one 10
the other would be avoided and, it is
thought. through communications between
the two could be ereoted. 1t is said that
Cieufuegos and Sagua could not offer the
resistance that Matanzas and other large
ports are able to present. The large Gu
ban ports have fairly good batteries and It
would take a considerable naval force
and the delays incident to giving the non-
coubatants time for departure, before
they could be captured. On the other
hand. smaller ports could make little mora
than a formal defense il indeed, they
did not surrender at the outset, knowing
that opposition was useless. With two
such bases of operations secured, the Gu
ban authorities here feel that the Cuban
forces in the field. and those ready 90
take the field, could be speedily and eff
equipped with arms. ammunition
and supplies 1t Is said that Gomez and
Garcia have the men and the enthusiasm
capable of striking an effective blow, once
they have arms in hand and that the only
reason for their present inaction is their
failure to have adequate ammunition for
a strong forward movement on the Span
ish forces.
INtCoul conferences between the GuOan
officers here and General Niles
leave little doubt that the war depart
ment will equip the Cuban forces in every
way practicable with the present heavy
demand for arms and ammunition and by
rhe calling into active service of the fuu
force of the army and 125, 900 volunteers.
But it will still be necessary to effect
a junction with the Cuban forces and |
to this end the suggestion is being made |
that ports on the north and south coasts
Of Cuba be taken. Action is likely to |
follow as soon as the war department |
feels that it is ready to place adequate |
supplies of arms and ammunition in the |
hands Of the Cubans.
The resignation of Mr.. Sherman was |
handed to the presdtnt at 12:15 o'clock. 1t /
was observed that Secretary Sherman re-
NAMED with the president a few minutes |
after the other members of the cabintt |
had left The cabinet session was con- |
cluded at 1880 o'clock. and five minutes /
ater Secretary Sherman left the room and /
was driven at once to the state depart |
nent
At about Has O'Clock the secretary's |
appeared with the resignation 1
in a large white official envelope. |
AS the president had stepped out for |
few minutes walk, the messenger re- /
turned to the state department Only /
later the president returned, and 1
he state department was so advised At /
2:15 the messenger again appeared with /
he resignation, and IL was taken to the 1
president in tht cabinet room. II was
'ormally accepted this afternoon The
letter Is very brief. occupying
only a few lines. rendering his resignation
10 take effect at as early day as will
suit the presidents convenience. Score
AIRY Day will succeed Mr.. Sherman.
The Democratic members Of the COM
nittee have a substitute proposition for
ne bond issue which Is, briefly as fol-
ows; To coin $50. 600 600 of the seigniorage
low in the treasury into standard silver
dollars, to issue $4,000 900 OF certificates
II indebtedness at a low rate of interest
md to substitute an income tax of per
,ent on all incomes over 5000. While
his latter clause does not present any
lew feature by which a conflict with the
Jecision Of the supreme court is averttd.
he members profess a belief that y the
MEASURE becomes law that the supreme
,ourt would be brought 70 rsvtrse its
previous decision. Mr.. McMiiiin is in
rusted with the drawing OF the income
ak provision