Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-07
PLAN OF OPERATIONS.
Line Of Action PosslbIs in Case Of a
War.

Havana, via Key West, March Gas
the conviction becomes settled that the
court of inquiry will decide that there
was a mines explosion under the Maine,
discussion among American naval off
GERS and civilians here is prevalent as
to the warlike measures which it is be-
lieved the United States government will
adopt in case the question for payment
OF indemnity by Spain is overruled. A
majority ybelieve that American troops
VIII be landed at some point east of
Havana notice sent to the insurgents
the Spanish soldiery defeated or captured
in detail, while in the meantime a fleet
OF United States vessels will blockade
if not lombard Havana. No one seems
to doubt that the reduction of this city
would be comparatively easy. Four 12-
inch guns--two west and two east of the
city-are the only ones that are consid-
cred dangerous. These are not likely to
be well served, while their emplace-
ments are not modern.
That some Spaniards are of the opin-
ion that an attack on Havana will be
made is believed to be shown by the alb
normal activity displayed on board the
Vizcaya. This correspondent has the
that the Vizcaya is in a constant state
-of readiness fer emergencies, and that
packet boats are on the alert day and
night inside the harbor and outside the
harbor
1t is pointed out that the men of war
Vizcaya and Almirante Oquendo might
be caught in a blockade, and fall an
easy prey to United States fleet. The
cruiser Alfonso MI Is without boilers
and would be of no account.
All this proves\ nothing, and only
shows the state of feeling here.
The conduct of Nhe Spanish divers
who are investigating the wreck of the
Maine is a mystery Thus far they have
not been down five hours in the aggre-
gate and show no disposition to make a
thorough inquiry It is impossible to
learn the truth fully regarding the pur-
pose of the Spanish court of inquiry, but
it is generally believed that the divers
were sent down for fotm's sake only,
and that a report will be made in accord
ance with instructions ftom Madrid 1t
may be that the Spanish divers have
discovered that the whole port side of
the Maine forward is gone and have SC
reported. and that further examination
is deemed unnecessary. The work OF our
own divers henceforward is bound to be
slow, owing to the ponderoIs weights to
be moved, and the safety clamps, nuts
and rivets that must be cut.
Senator Proctor is likely to make a
speech in the senate on his ret arm, that
will haze great weight in determining
the future policy of the United States.
He is much affected by the suffering
that he found in Matanzas. and highly
indignant at what he calls the "inhu-
manity of the course pursued
During a visit to Artemis, he saw
thousands of reeoncentrados who re-
fused to beg, though starving. They
were evidently of the class accustomed
to make it's own living, and unwilling to
become paupers. He saw thousands of
acres of best tobacco and banana lands
in the world reduced to waste, with tro-
chas and garrisons at every village, and
cross roads. His drivers, pointing to
the mountains fifteen miles away, said;
There are plenty Of insurgent camps
there that the Spanish have never dis
covered" :"
The work Of distributing supplies un-
der Miss Clara Barton, Mr.. Elwell and
their associates is, in Proctor's iudg-
ment, carefully and effectively carried
on. The demand is far in excess of the
supply. The supplies expected at Mat
anzas and Sagua la Grande, to be
brought by American cruisers, will af-
ford unspeakable relief.
Now that the Admirante Oquendo and
the Vizcaya are lying in the harbor, the
Spaniards exultantly declare that the
city is safe; and it is given out official
ly in the newspapers that the new ar
rival is of the same size, armament and
complement as the Vizcaya