The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-04-15

New York, April IA Times Washing
ton special says:
The plans for the Joint land and naval
attack uDon Havana have been practic-
ally decided upon They have been the
subject Of dellberatlon at number OF
meetings Of the naval strategic board. OF
councils Of the joint war and navy board,
and Of conferences between the govern
mental and military officials. From the
first Il was considered absolutely essen
iial that there should be- a joint move
menr of land and naval forces Of the Uni
ted States against the Spaniards In Cuba
and the only thing left for discussion was
the best course 10 be pursued in carrying
out this plan. one difficulty that has
continually presented itself Is the fact
the navy is ready for an advance on Ha-
vana within an hour after the declaration
Of war. while the army could not possibly
throw any considerable force into Cuba
In less than 4S hours. Should the fleet
~ Captain Sampson wait until the army
Is ready has been asked. or should IL as
soon as war was determined upon pro-
ceed TO carry out its instructions and In
vest Havana from the sea.
II is now decided that the fleet will at
once move on Havana, invest 1t, and at
the same time hold open the Florida
straits for the free transportation OF
troops into the island. part OF the feet
will be employed for this purpose as well
as to keep open the gulf to the west OF
Havana for like purpose. As soon as
the army Is ready. which will be within
4S hours. a considerable body OF troops
will be thrown into the province OF Pinar
del Rio in the neighbOrhood. probably, Of
Bahia Honda. and an advance upon Ha-
vana will be begun at once. The feet
will cooperate with the land forces from
the moment they land In Cuba and both
will attack Havana simultaneously Even
II the resolution finally passed by congress
does not recognize the present republican
government in the island, the plan Of the
army is 10 unite win the armies OF Co
mez and Garcia as allies against the
Spaniards.
II is probable that troops would be sent
20 joC these revolutionary armies in Puer-
to Principe or Santa Clara. or that ships
would be sent to transport some OF the
Cuban troops to the vicinity OF the capi-
tai In any event an effort will be made
10 cooperate at once with the armies OF
the evolutionary leaders In the work Of
driving the Spaniards out OF the island.
With the establishment Of stable
and independent government in free Cuba
the army will have nothing to do. at least
with the preliminary part Of the cam
paign. Its task is to sweep the Spanlards
out OF the island. To do this most effec-
lively II will at once seek the closest alli-
ance with the revolutionary troops. The
war department is certain that Gomez
and Garcia have respectable armies in the
eastern part of the island. This conclu-
sion is based upon the fact that they have
been able to hold back the Spanish arms
and even to win notable victories against
some OF the best officers Of Spain These
revolutionary troops, aided by some
regulars and supplied with arms and am
will be able it is thought to do
very effective work against the soldiers
under Blanco and Pando
As soon as war is declared the war de-
rartment will issue upon the call of the !
president orders for the enlistment of at |
east 10000 troops. At first there was |
some talk Of 10000 volunteers being sufi-
'ient for the purpose but it was soon
.ound that this number would not be |
sufficient to keep up the garrsons along |
he coast, together with a body Of troops |
sufficiently large to defend the country |
rom invasion, II would not be at all |
adequate to the task of supplying rein
orcements for the army of occupation.
II of forming nucleus Of a stlll larger
'rmy for any operations on a large scale
nan Is now contemplated. Certainly not
ess than $1,000 troops will be called for
t once and 10000 will be assuredly or
.ani2ed within short time after the
pening of histilities. Orders for the or
of great volunteer force are
ow prepared and can be issued instantly
pon declaration of war, Until war is
eclared OF recognized as existing, moth
ne further can be done As soon as II is
eclared, with clause in the resolution
uthorizing the organization Of a volun-
eer army, these orders will be transmit
Ell to the proper quarters and at least
5000 men will be ready to respond to the
all of the president to go wherever the
oVernment thinks advisable to send
hem