The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-04-27
HOW HAVANA MAY BE TAKEN.
Passenger On the Saratoga SUBJ
n,its SOME Suggestions.

mfts 'Sanie Suggestions.
New York, April 27.-The steamer Sar-
atoga, which arrived at this port yester-
day from Havana, was the last Ameri-
can vessel to leave Cuban ports. she
sailed from Havana at o'clock on the
evening of April %, just as the block
aiding fleet had been sighted by the
Spanish lookouts and as she passed out
of the harbor three guns were fired from
MORO Castle to inform the people that
the United States fleet had been sighted.
! The Saratoga belongs TO the New YORK
and Cuba Mail Steamship Company,
| which has sent a number of vessels 10
| Cuban ports with supplies supposed to be
| for the Spanish army. She left Havana
with 21l refugees on board, principally
| Cubans She also carried 81 100000 in spe-
| Gle as well as large cargo of sugar ana
| tobacco.
The Saratoga left this port for Havana
with a large cargo of provisions. and
when she arrived there on April is the
| pier was crowded with Spanish soldiers
! and a number of Spanish sympathizers in
! Havana, who cheered the vessel, its cap
] tain and the steamship line which had
sent the provisions to the Spanish army.
/ The steamer was quickly unloaded, and
then set sail. According to the story as
told. the red flag of war was run up on
MORO Castle and three guns were fired
as the vessel steamed past.
Some of the passengers on the Sarato
ga thought these shots were intended for
her. and there was great excitement.
! This was increased when the steamer
passed Casa Blanca and the soldiers and
/ officers there yelled at the passengers.
/ and condemned them all to climate
| warmer than Cuba's, at the same time
even the officers shaking their fists.
1t was not until the steamer got out
I side the harbor that the passengers on
the Saratoga knew what had caused the
! excitement. and then they sighted eight
/ United States naval vessels. Two of these
/ vessels came alongside of the Saratoga
and made an investigation TO see whether
the steamer was Spanish or not. They
were the Ericsson and the Gushing. They
! allowed the Saratoga to proceed on find
ing that she was American vessel
bound for New York.
Among the passengers was Soto Navar-
TO- a wealthy Cuban merchant who went
10 the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Another was
Louis Frank. OF No. 3 West Thirty-fifth
| Street Nearly all of the passengers were
We're anxious TO see Cuba free. Every
passenger reported great excitement in
Havana, and the constant drilling of
troops and preparation for war.
one of these passengers has Travelled
throughout Cuba and has large business
interests here. He refused To allow his
name to be used. as IL might iniure his
business in Havana. but he said:
Il have covered the island many times
during the rebellion, and must say that
the insurgents are putting up a magnif-
cent fight. Ii the United States desires
to make its campaign in Cuba successful
il will have TO cooperate with the in
surgents. 1t would not be necessary for
the United States to send a large force
into Cuba, as such thing would be dan
serOus at this season of the year. The
Spaniards are now relying on the climate
to Kill off the American troops that are
landed on the island more than they are
on their own force of arms.
What the Spaniards would most dread
would be the cooperation Of the Ameri-
can forces with the insurgents. If the
United States would seize one of the small
ports. say in the province of Santiago de
Cuba. on the north coast. and there es-
tablish a base Of supplies, they would be
making a good move. These small ports
are practically unprotected. and could
be taken easily. After they were cap
tured il would be necessary to land ar.
tillery Ia defend the place. CaliXtO Gar
Cia. Of the Cuban army, is in the vicinity
and soon communication could be opened
with him. If he was supplied with suffi
Gent arms and ammunition he could
push on through the other provinces
carrying all before him. He could do thi.
with his own troops and the Cubans who
are not now lighting by reason of lack OF
E arms and ammunition.
; They could then push forward into
the province Of Puerto Principe. and from
there meet General Gomez and joir
forces with him in Santa Clara province
/ While this was being done another small
I port the south coast should be taker
as another base of supplies. II a porl
like Trinidad was taken railroad commu.
! nication could he opened up with the in
terror. This plan would not tax yhree
weeks to carry out and then the united
! Cuban army could move on Havana.
am confident that at least one hundred
thousand Cubans would be in the army
: if they had the arms and ammunition.
This plan that l have outlined would
not necessitate the sending of a large
number of United States troops into the
island as all that would be needed woult
be a sufficient number of artillerymer
/ to protect the base of supplies. and they
could work in conjunction with the naval
vessels. which would protect them from
| an attack at sea. Havana could then be
captured with the assistance of the bal
| ance of the American fleet. With Havana
| taken the war will come to an abrupt
| end"