New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-09
BLANCO'S PLANS OF DEFENCE.
HOW HE HOPES TO HOLD HAVANA
AGAINST ATTACK
DETAILS OF THE CONCENTRATION OF spAN1sT
TROOPs-A TRAP LAID FOR OUR wARsHrPs.

TRooPs-A TRAP LAID FOR OUR wARsH1Ps.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE 1RrsuSEI
Key West. Fla. May S.-Coincdent with the
firing OF Havana batteries the Vicksburg
and the Morrill,, General Blanco's plans for the
land defence Of the city have been made known.
along with preparations for moving troops In
the eastern part Of Cuba Insurgents in the
country manage TO hold communication with
Havana Recently they obtained n copy OF the
official gazette. In which are published all or
ders. This sent out 10 the feet from the
coast. whore small band OF Cubans was lately
landed
These Official orders direct that when emer-
gency arises al troops in the provinces OF Pnar
del Rio. Havana and Matanzas shall he con-
centrated in Havana city. For the eastern
part OF the island the plan seems to be TO con-
centrate at some point in Santa Clara Province.
Everything In the orders indicates that San
tiago and Puerto Principe are to be abandoned
to the Insurgents
| Points Of concentration in Santiago at
Santiago and Manzanrlo the south coast.
and at Holguin. which IL a few miles inland.
and has railroad connection with the seaport Of
| Gibara, on the north coast The scheme con-
! templates moving troops either by rail or by
sea 1t is possible that Holguin. following the
example OF Bojima has been evacuated by this
time
| Generals LuQue and Linares. who have been
fighting Calixto Garcia there for six months.
are given separate commands. apparently with
a view 10 promptness In moving their troops
! Puerto Principe Province Is already practically
| yielded up. Heretofore the headquarters OF the
Spanish troops have been in the city OF that
name. which is near the centre Of the province.
GENERAL CAsTELLANOSs COMMAND.
Under new instructions a division Is created
! in the Jucaro Moron trocha. with General
! Jrnenez Castellanos in command This is known
as the railroad trocha. and is not far from the
divisional line OF the province. or late the in
surgents have been crossing Il at Will The
movement Of forces under Castellanos 10 this
trocha may be with the hope Of checking the
insurgents. but It amounts to the abandonment
OF all the province TO the eastward
Castellanos Is one OF the Oldest OF the Spanish
generals 1t was he who claimed TO have taken
the insurgent capital last February. He has
reputation as a blundering fighter.
In Santa Clara General Aguirre. who is IN
command transfers his headquarters from the
town OF that name. in the interior. 10 Glen
fuegos. on the south coast Blockade OF this
port makes It most important Other points OF
concentration Trinidad and sancu spiritus.
]
Sagua on the north Gomez has been for ten
months in the heart Of this province.
II has been supposed that II the American
troops were landed 10 effect junction with the
| insurgents under Gomez. this would be at the
! port Of Caiharien which lies between Sagua and
! Yaguajay. Havana IL Of chief interest. since
the defiant spirit shown by the authorities has
quickened the belief that the United States may
be compelled 10 substitute more vigorous meas
ures for peaceful blockade.
Naval officers IN Key West to-day have been
excited over the events OF Friday and Saturday
When Cojimar battery. which is the main de-
fence Of Havana from attack on the east. fred
shots Friday night. no undue Significance was
given IT, on Saturday. when the great Santa
Clara battery. which IL the chief defence on
the est poured shot through the rigging Of the
| Vicksburg and the Mcrrill. It became serious
| Demonstration that Spanish gunners could aim
accurately complete. II was simply n
| piece OF naval good fortune that line shots did
not strike amidshps and that l2-inch shells
did not sink both vessels.
TRAP WAS LAID.
The commanders OF the vicksburg and the Nor
rn are satisfied that the schooner which they
were trying to overhaul sent out 10 entrap
them and lay in under Santa Clara battery. In
order that they might be made targets. But In
maintaining an effectual blockade II is not Al
ways passible to lie of shore ten or twelve
miles and entirely out OF range.
That the blockade is maintained Is shown by
| the number OF prizes brought in to-day. In
continuing IT, some OF the blockading vessels
| may again get within range. Bianco's orders
| provide Zoe concentrating troops AZ Fort deg
! and Casa Blanca. which are substantially Iand
| outposts Of Cojimar battery. But IL is IN the
! neigh borhOod Of the Santa Clara battery that
! the preparatiOns for land defence are most com
vIcte It's approaches are guarded from all
directions.
General Arolas who Is In command OF the land
forces is Military Governor OF Havana Province.
! He directed the building Of the trocha from
Marel 10 the south coast He was once Car
list general in Spain He is soldier with
| good nghting qualities. but II not a strategist-
! although he IS popular with the Havana popu-
/ lace and has their unbounded confidence
The orders direct that the Palace Guards shall
/ report 70 Captain-Cieneral Blanco himself There
are also instructions for modifying the bomberos.
/ or armed nremen. The volunteers being
/ drilled as part Of the regular army. with spe-
cial reference to artillery practice.
ST. JOHNS TO BE FORTIFIED.