The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1898-05-10
PLANNING 70 SEIZE HAVANA
Capital Of Cuba Will B. Trapped
Between Two Fires.
SPANS SOLDIERS UNCIyILIZED
Immense Force OF 10000 Americans
will Invade the Island ana
Utterly and Completely
Crush 1t,
From a staff Correspondent.


WASHINGTON, May 0.-The question Of
seizing Havana and invading the island
Of Cuba has been carefully considered
by the Federal Government.
Havana is to be trapped between two
fires.
The War Department is very much dis
pOsed to look upon the Spanish soldlery
as not entirely civilized, and therefore to
he dealt with somewhat differently than
would be an English or German army.
The reports of the engagement at Manila
indicate that though Intellectual, the
Spaniards fight bravely with a disregard
OF life, and with display of treachery
almost barbaric. 1t is not known with
absolute certainty how large an effective
force the Spanish have in Cuba, but
whatever they have is concentrated, and
in land engagement excessive odds is
bound to count in the long run. The
last reports of the Spanish army in Cuba
placed it at over 100000. 1t may not be
more than half that, but an army of 80,
600 should be expected to prove more
than match tor 5000, even behind
breastworks.
The reverses which England has SUI
fered from time to time during the mum.
Der of years in dealing with the uncivil,
lied and half-civilized hordes in some OF
her possessions have all been the result
of having small force assembled at
some point where tley could be over
whelmed by great numbers. This is re-
garded as lesson in dealing with ar
army deficient in military skill, but pow
erful as to numbers and reckless of life
A small body OF our troops landed il
Cuba might be utterly destroyed, though
they should kill two or three times thei1
own number of their assailants.
Another thing considered is that the
victory at Manila, the desperate situa
ton OF the Spanish Government at home
the effectiveness of the blockade of
Cuba, and the developments hourly ex
pected at Porto Rico all give promise o
speedy termination of the war if blows
are struck with vigor and in rapid sic
cession. 1t is proposed Therefore, t(
smash right at it and close up the war a
quickly as possible avoiding protractec
disturbances and essening the danger o
international complications.
It is calculated that though it will taxi
possibly week or ten days longer t,
get a large army to Cuba than it woult
to land a small force and establish bas
of supplies, the large force would brin
relief to the suffering Oh the island Nor
speedily than the small force. The plal
is TO land not less than 80, 600 and prob
ably much larger force at several point
in Cuba and to advance upon the SPANS
tr,r I,n
of the island and to reduce Havana b
land and sea attack. The volunteer {
well as the regular army will be use
for this invasion. The hour when tt
aggressive movement is to be made cal
not be stated. 1t may be inside of tie
DAYS. 1t will not be delayed longer tina
is required to assemble the transport
concentrate the troops, regulars an
volunteers, and to complete the speci;
equipment which is necessary for
campaign in that climate.
How far this preparation has alrea
advanced, and how quickly it can be col
peted is military secret which cou
not be made public if known. The arg
ment against landing a large force on Il
island that it might be Inconvenience
by the operations vi tilt spanish nay.
cutting off supplies for some quarter |
longer has force, and all apprehension {
that score is dispellcl by a better kno'
ledge of the condition of the SPANS
navy. The possibility of the Spani:
fleet being able to relieve Havana or
interfere with our military operations
no longer considered
1t is regarded as entirely probable tn
the news of q few days, possibly fe
hours, will be such as to dispose OF
questions of Spanish naval operations.
we are to have an engagement with t
main Spanish fleet, it will probably ,
cur before it would be possible for 0
military plans to be put into effect. I
military operations are to be proceed
with promptly and aggrcssively, t
navy being trusted to take care of
part of the business in Il way to relic
the War Department OF any necessity
considering where tie Spanish navy III
be or what it may do. Briefly, the p
position is to move aggrcssively by la
and sea with ample force and to conclr
the war as soon us nOSSiblc.