Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-29
Why Havana Has Not Been Taken.

why havana mas NOT Been Iakcn
When the war broke out it was popu-
larry supposed that Havana would be
the first point of attack and the block
ade of that port was looked upon as 1
preliminary step to that end. People
in general expected that General Lee
sailed away from Havana only to re-
turn at once at the head of an army.
months and no movement against Ha-
vana, except the blockade, has been
undertaken. Blanco, insolent and
boastful as ever, is still supreme in his
capital, and his forces have not had the
opportunity to drive the invaders into
the sea" SO the question is often
asked, why does not the government
attack Havana? 1t has sent several
expeditions to the Philippines and has
captured Santiago, and is now invading
Porto Rico, but the stronghold of the
Spaniards in Cuba, which must be
| taken before the grip of Spain is
loosened, is as defiant today as at the
| beginning of the war.
There are a number of answers to
this question. Havana is strongly
| fortified and garrisoned. 1t would re-
quire large army to force its works
or maintain siege, and this army was
not available when the war opened
The region about Havana is most I'M
healthful. n veritable pest hole in sum-
mer, and this of itself would probably
have postponed till fall the campaign
against Havana, had not other causes
arisen to bring about the same end.
| The progress of the war has been
shaped by events over which the gov
eminent had no control. Its policy has
been formed by unforeseen circum-
| stances. With one great object for
ever in view to wipe from the Western
Hemisphere the foul blot of Spanish
despotism and barbarism. the country
has vigorously pushed the war in the
way to bring the quickest end.
The expeditions to the Philippines
We're the result of circumstances. 1t IS
| doubtful if the government originally
contemplated the step, but, as often
happens, the events of the war made
it obligatory. The capture of Santiago
is also the result of what may be called
| an accident, or at least an unforeseen
contingency. Had not the Spanish
| fleet taken refuge in that harbor. it is
| improbable that an American soldier
would have been sent there, at least
until after Cuba had been reduced To
subsection. The expedition to Porto
Rico was projected at the beginning Of
the war. and would have been carried
out long ago but for the diversion at
Santiago. 1t is as neeettSSnar,S H. drive
| Spain from Porto Rico as from Cuba.
| Deferring an assault on Cuba while
Porto Rico is reduced is good strategy
Porto Rico is a healthy island. The
troops can so there with ItIunity. and
even profit by the change All rxpedi.
ton to Havana now would have to en-
counter the same, and worse. perils of
disease that has confronted the troops
at Santiago. Such soldiers as ours
should be preserved from these ills
whenever it is possible to do SO. Moth
ing is lost, for in the meantime Havana
| is growing weaker from disease AMI
starvation, and may fall into our hands
| some bright morning without any
| fighting at all. Havana would be the
hardest nut of all to crack 1t would
be cracked all right by our army and
navy, but it might be costly business.
1t is a wise and prudent policy that
has delayed the attack on Havana, for
our victories elsewhere have caused
Spain to sue for peace and our capture
of the great Cuban capital with its
forts and large army promises to be
| hloodeSS victory
There are in round Numbers 30 0O0