The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-04-22
CAPTURE OF HAVANA
The War Board Comforting Over
Plans for Taking Cuba.
RAISING VOLUNTEERS DISCUSSED.
Bill Drafted which the President win
Send TO Consress-The Navy Depart
ment Well Informed a. to
-Havana's FortIfcations.

WASHINGTON, April lS.-The navy
department people have been busy
considering operations in conjunction
with the military force in regard to
Cuba, as it was decided some time ago
to use naval vessels as conveys OF the
transports which would convey troops
to Cuba. 1t has even been suggested
that some of the largest ships OF the
navy be utilized in the capacity of
transports. This proposition does not
meet with the unqualified approval of
all the members of the war board.
Some of them believe that there will
be work enough for the navy without
converting the ships into transports,
and that their Legitimate and most
valuable duties would be as companion
ships for the vessels which will con-
vey the military forces to Cuba. 1t is
likely that after the troops are landed
the navy will make concerted
attack on the principal ports and
blockade the harbors. The at
tack on Havana, if made at all, is
likely to be made at night, and she'll
ing under cover of darkness and while
the vessels are under steam will offer
the least opportunity for successful
retaliation from the shore.
The navy department has not been
behind in its accumulation of infor-
nation in regard to the Notifications
at Havana. 1t knows to definite and
detailed degree just what the fortiti-
cations at that point consist of, the
number and calber of guns, the
IL ,,f. ~ ., L..
means of attack and sources of supply.
The battery of the celebrated Moro
castle is rather formidable, the largest
gun being of l2-inch caliber
The great menace to vessels which
may attack Havana is in the submarine
mines which have been placed in the
harbor and regarding the power of
which this government has already
had such a terrible example. There is
some doubt as to whether Havana will
be shelled by our navy. The foreign
interests at that place may render it
inadviSable and improper, but the
naval authorities expect no trouble in
silencing the forts. In making attacks
on the land Notifications it has been
deemed proper to conduct such opera
tions under steam and at night, in or
der that the return fire may be mini
mixed in its effect
At a midnight conference at the war
department, attended by Assistant
Secretary of War Meiklejohn and the
military law officers of the army, meas
ures for raising volunteers were dis
cussed The legal aspect and circum-
. ID : 4. 4
rather than the strategic necessities of
the ease. These officers Anticipated
that there would be occasion for calling
greater number of volunteers than
the 10000 or 10000 named by Gen
Miles, and at present considered as an
efficient force by Secretary Alger.
One of the officials who attended the
conference was in favor OF at least
100, 900 men as volunteer force. and
he believed that this number could be
obtained with readiness in this couu-
try. This incident was subordinated
in the conference, however to the
means by which a force could be
raised.
The principal result OF the session
was the drafting of bill which the
president will send to congress, with
the recommendation that it b. passed.
This bill does not as yet name "a def
mite number and it will rest with the
president to finally decide what
strength he will ask for in his first
call. At present all the departmental
estimates for war supplies for the
military sorce are on basis of 40, 900
men. This is an insignificant feature,
however, since it will not be a diff
cult matter to provide for the purchase
and transportation of supplies for two
or three times the force which is at
present talked of.