The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-12
ISLE OF PINES NEXT.
Expedition Has Started to Cap
tain BIancO's Base of
Supplies.

New York, Aug. PA special to the
Tribune from Washington says:
The actual campaign against Havana
has been fairly started in accordance
with a carefully matUred plan for con-
certed operations between naval and
military forces for the siege of that
city. The distinction of taking the mi
tiative has been given to the marine
corps battalion which two months ago
made the first American landing in
force on Cuban soil and after admins
tering severe punishment to the Span
ish guerilla forces at Guantanamo in
fights which were marked by notable
gallantry and herOism, has been holding
an important position which enabled
the ships of the navy freely to utilize
that harbOr as a repair and coaling
rendezvous.
The corps is now on the way to occu-
by the Isle of Pines, which the army and
navy StraegistS look upon as the key
to the capltulatiOn of Havana 1t is
on this island that most of the prOVis-
ions are produced which fed the capital
of Cuba since the blockade was inaugu-
rated. It's drOves of cattle have been
sustaining the Spanish garrison under
Gen BlancO which defends the city and
almost altogether, through its various
subsistence supplies, has it been posi-
BILE to avert wholesale starvation
among the population of that munich
pality
The expedition which left Guantan-
amO Wednesday was under the direct
in command of the St. Louis, but now
commanding the cruiser Newark, form
erly flagship of Commodore WatsOn's
squadron, but now detached for special
duty as flagship of the Isle of Pines ex-
petition. The marine battalion under
Col. Huntington, promoted for mel
tOriOuS service in Cuba, is embarked on
the armored auxiliary ResoIute, which
was especially fitted at the beginning of
the war for this battalion and placed
under the command of Commander
Eaton.
Accompanying the larger vessels are
two auxiliaries. the SUwanee, under
Lieutenant Commander Delehanty, who
has for his executive officer Lieutenant
Blue, just promoted for heroism in MAX
ing two hazardous reconnaissance near
Santiago, and the Scorpion, under Lieu
tenant Commander Mark, who was the
judge advocate of the Maine court of
inquiry in Havana.
On reaching the south coast of the
Isle of Pines, the squadron, by Smelling,
if necessary, viii cover the landing of
the marines, and an energetic campaign
to rid the island of Spanish troops, will
begin Immediately. 1t is known that a
strong force of Spaniards is maintained
there by Gen. Blanco to protect his in
diSpenSable source of supplies and as
more than half of the island is well
wooded and hilly, stubborn resistance
may be encountered. A number of the
light draught vessels of Admiral
HowelTs blockade squadron of the west
coast of Cuba have been ordered to
support the landing party and will take
station in the shallow channels between
the Isle of Pines and its nearest Cuban
port, Batabano, to cut off the retreat
of the Spanish garrison and to prevent
Gen. BlancO from sending forward any
reinfOrcements.
The campaign is considered of vital
Importance by the naval military au-
thOrities and the marines will have an
opportunity to prove their fighting abil-
ity if they succeed in carrying out the
wish of authorities to secure complete
control of the island within a week
The Isle of Pines has just about the
same area as the state of Rhode Island.
1t is AZ miles long and 35 miles wide, it's
chief town being located on the north
coast, about 80 miles south of Cuba. It's
population is about 2. 600. but on account
of its remarkable salubrity this is great
" increased in winter by great num-
bers of health seekers from Havana.
It's coast line is deeply indented with
bays and inIets, affording fine anchor
age, but except on the south shore, it
can not be approached by deep draught
vessels It is well watered, and has
several rivers navigable inland about
five miles by craft drawing ten feet. Its
soil is so remarkably fertile that over
half the island is adapted for grazing
DIIrDOSeS.