The times., 1898-05-23
GEN. sCHoFIELD's VIEWS.
Favors Invasion of Cuba and selz-
ure Of Puerto Rico.

4efto lttcos
New York Mayis22.@rhe New York
World, prints the following opinions as
| coming from Lieut.t Gen. Schofield. re-.
| tired commander of the American Army:
Lieut. Cens~ John NJ. Sehoheld. retired com
mander Of the Army of the United States, nova.
member Of the War Board, favors prompt and
immediate invasion of Cuba by thezarmy and the
seizure of both Havana and Puerto Rico by the
navy AS "a member of the War Board Gen.
Schohed cannot speak for publication. But
less than five weeks ago Gen. Schotield spoke IN
an authorized interview, which he afterward read
and signed follows:
what would be the result OF an invasion OF
Cuba?" oa4,,as. 49,
81 do not consider that such campaign would
be very long one OF course, the navy would
have a great deal OF fighting to do, but the army
part would be light, comparatively We would
have no need, hardly, to attack Havana except
to save the reconeentrados from the horrors of a
siege! Troops could be landed in Cuba, and from
our nearness TO our base Of supplies SUCH. ap
overwhelming army could be landed there within
a short time that the result, 10 my mind, would
be very certain and the campaign short. In fact,
the insurgents would do most OF the fighting for
u.s. With the Spanish troops cooped up in Ha-
vana and the aid given 10 the insurgents, the war
would be speedily ended, as far as Cuba is CON
cerned Spain, on the other hand, with its
base of supplies cut of, would be in very hard
position 10 defend the island
''Would an invasion be practicable after May
lf'' s.
''why not? Military science has advanced so
that it 6veFeomes all difficulties nowadays. With
the military safeguards and the military qaaFan
tines now required, there would be little no
| danger from yellow fever. We had an example
| in Buffers experience in New Orleans. II Spain
has any idea that we could not invade Cuba in
! the Summer time, she must disabuse herself OF
il. If it is necessary TO invade the island in
| june, ii can he done and will be done The Span
| ish government must make no mistake on that
| poi=t''
what will be first general call for troopsr
There is a State militia of over 100000 and !
| understand that they all ready; SO that an
army Of 125 600 could be in motion in forty-eight
! hours. The State troops are TO a large extent
well armed and well drilled. and they would
make a formidable army without further Gall.
| Add TO this the volunteer force that org
! anizing, and the army that the United -States
| could call into the field in q week or so would
! be cEoFmous. =
! As 10 the result of a under the. present
Circumstances, with the rapid-ire guns, Gen
schoGeld said that it would be far different from
the old-time wars. More would depend upon
gcneralship than upon brute force. The firing
would be, as general thing. al long range.
With the weapons in today regiment
| would be .1It to pieces in moment if in an ex-
posed position or in a charge.
The foregoing statement made by Gen. Seho-
field to Mr.. S. A. Adams afterward revised
BY Cen Schofed who wrote the back OF the
"copy the following Endorsement:
Jacksonville, Fla.
81 have read Mr.. Adatns's report of interview
with me. and find il very accurate and painstak-
/ ing ard it covers fully what ! said. --
~. NJ SCH0FIELD."
To another correspondent later, Gen. schodeld
said OF the naval program:
''The possession OF Puerto Rico is OF more i'm
portdnce to US now than Cuba. II occupies the
same relative position in the west that Manila
did in the east. 1t is the key, the gateway tC
the Spanish possessions in this part of the world
1t marks the extreme point Of Spains possessions
and with the loss of Puerto Rico her rule on tn,
Western Hemisphere is ended for all time.
Undoubtedly military experts realize this
fact and look for an early announcement of tn,
capture OF san Juan by Admiral SIMPSONS feet
We VIII then undoubtedly send a large body O
soldiers to take possession of The island. judg,
that before through at least 10000 troop
VIII he sent TO puerto RICO. One thlng must u
borne in mind in this connection, and it is tha
Puerto Rico has pleasant Summer climate anC
there will be no danger to our troops there from
yellow fever or disease. With Puerto Rico los
to her Spain's feet viii be powerless in American
waters, for without coaling station and a bas
| OF supplies she could not continue an efIectiv
naval warfare against Us. ! believe also tina
the army will move upon Cuba at once, and
wish to take this opportunity OF stating that il
my judgment the army has accomplished every
thing that could be expected OF it. OF eours
there has been some criticism of the changing
of orders from day to day, but this has beel
unavoidable. The same thing occurred at the be
ginning of our. Civil War in 81, although thing
were in very much worse shape then than the.
are now at the War Department.