The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-30

PLAN SUGGESTED BY A PASSENGER
ON THE SARATOGA.

says Our Forces Must Cooperate with the
Insurgents For Successful Campaign.
Bases of Supplies should BE Established
ON Northern and Southern Fort.
The steamer Saratoga. which arrived
at New York recently from Havana,
was the last American vessel to leave
Cuban ports. She sailed from Havana
at 6 o'clock on the evening Of April 20,
just as the blockading feet had been
sighted by the Spanish lookouts, and az
she passed out of the harbor three guns
were fired from MORO Castle to inform
the people that the United States feet
had been sighted. The Saratoga belongs
to the New York and Cuba Mail Steam
ship company. which has sent a number
of vessels to Cuban ports with supplies
supposed to be for the Spanish army.
She left Havana with 211 refugees on
board. principally Cubans. She also
carried 81, 600, 600 in specie, as well as
large cargo of sugar and tobacco.
According to the story as told, the red
dag of war was run up on MORO Castle
and three guns were fred as the vessel
steamed past Some of the passengers
ON the Saratoga 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 yell
ed at the passengers and condemned
them all to climate warmer than Gu
Al <IxxA ,{ft tcor
shaking their fists
It was not until the steamer got out
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 Sara
toga and made an investigation to see
whether the steamer was Spanish ves-
sci or not. They we're the Ericsson and
the Cushing. They allowed the Sarato-
ga to proceed on finding that she was
an American vessel bound for New York.
Nearly all Of the passengers were SYM
pathizers with the Cuban cause and
were anxious TO see Cuba free. Every
passenger reported great excitement in
Havana and the constant drilling Of
troops and preparation for the war. One
of these passengers has travelled through
out Cuba and has large busiAess inter-
ests there. He refused to allow his
name to be used, as IL might injure his
business in Havana, but he said:
II have covered the island many
times during the rebellion and must say
that the insurgents are putting mp q
magnificent fight. II the United States
desires to make its campaign In Cuba
successful, it will have to cooperate
with the insurgents. It would not be
necessary for the United States to send
large force into Cuba, as such thing
would be dangerous at this season Of
the year. The Spaniards are now rely
ing ON the climate to kill off the Amer
loan 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 American forces with the insur-
gents. II the United StalSs would seize
one Of the small ports, say, In the prov
ince of Santiago do Cuba, on the north
coast, and there establish base Of sup
plies, they would be making good
move. These small ports are practically
unprotected and could be taken easily.
After port was captured it would be
necessary to land artillery to defend the
place. Calixto Garcia of the Cuban ar
my IL In this vicinity, and soon COM
munication could be opened with him.
II he was supplied with sufficient arms
and ammunition. he could push on
through the other provinces. carrying
all before him. He could do this with
his own troops and the Cubaps who are
not now fighting by reason Of lack Of
arms and ammunition.
"They could then push forward into
the province Of Puerto Principe, and
from there meet General Gomez and
Join forces with him in Santa Clara
province. While this was being done
another small port on the south coast
should be taken as another base Of sup
plies. II port like Trinidad was taken,
railroad communication could be opened
up with the interior. This plan would
not take three weeks to carry out, aud
then the united Cuban army could move
on Havana. am confident that at least
100, 900 Cubans would be in the army
IL they had the arms and ammunition.
This plan that I have outlined
would not necessitate the sending Of q
large number Of United States troops
into the island, as all that would be
needed would be a sufficient number of
artillerymen to protect the base Of sup
plies. and they could work in oonjunc-
tion with tho naval vessels. which
would protect them from an attack at
sea. Havana could then be captured
with the assistance Of the balance of
the American feet. With Havana taken
the war will come TO an abrupt end. -
New York Tribune.