New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-17
fry TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.
OF THE FIGHT

noe come into possession OF exhaustive lnfOrna-
ton regarding the defences of Havana which
,,;u materially facilitate the speedy destruction
., the Notifications guarding that port. and at
the same time lessen the chances of serious In
,urv to the American squadron. This informa-
ZION was secured through wholly trustworthy
snd capable agencies involving considerable
technical discrimination as we'll as ingenuity OF
q high order and the amount of detailed data
and the precision and nicely with which every
battery its location. offensive power. quantity
n, ammunition and other essentials are now de-
,ernined prove the indefatgab ilty and diplo-
macy of the American naval officers who spent
over a month there. and who during that time
evidently made good friends ashore II any
onnortunities were wasted to become acquainted
with matters which they knew would be nvalu-
able 10 the United States as a result Of the
Names destruction. the comprehensiveness Of
the reports do not give an intimaton Of the
lapse.
Consul-General Lee whose stay in Cuba for
two years enabled him to see many things with
a trained military eye. has also given the STRAIT
ecy Board of the Navy an excellent insight into
many Of the strategical conditions at the Cuban
capital and stronghold. although much Of his
advice has been most valuable TO the Army ex-
perts charged with mapping out the invasion
and occupation by land.
MONITORS TO DO MOST OF THE WORK.
II is believed that the Notifications Of Havana
will be bombarded by night. the American YES
sells steaming past Moro Castle and directing
their fire at first by the electric illumination OF
the city. and when that is extinguished. as II
probably will be without delay. taking their aim
from other fixed lights which cannot be so
promptly hidden. The answering fire from the
stationary batteries will also indicate the tar
gets sufficiently while the constant motion OF
the ships in the dark will. it is thought. enable
them 10 escape without many injurious hits. II
IS practically certain that no rush will be made
on Havana in daylight. however brilliant such
q reckless manPuvre might appear TO enthusi-
asts at home Batte-ships are considered too
precious when the United States has so few or
them to be rsked in an operation Of so hazard
Gus nature when the end may be achieved
with no less certainty and with perhaps incom-
parably less cost by cautious and deliberate
rnanpuvres The seagoing armored fighters, the
Nev-York the Iowa and the Indiana, may soon
be REQUIRED to meet an equal foe on the high
seas and II is not proposed to force them up TO
forts at close range. where a few effective pro-
tectiles might throw their complicated mechan-
isns out of gear and necessitate several weeks
repairs The Puritan. the Amphitr1te ana the
Terror presenting as they do insignificant tar
rets will rather be selected TO bear the brunt OF
this work.
LITTLE INJURY TO THE FLEET EXPECTED.
With the accurat. knowledge that the Navy
now possesses Of the number and caiibre OF
every gun in the fort,fcations, the exact num-
her OF rounds on hand for each weapon. the
number Of skilled gunners and their degree or
familiarity with their work. as we'll as their
~
estimate with extreme nicely the most effective
distribution Of his forces TO silence the batteries
IN the least time and with the least sacrifice Of
men and naval units. The guns most greatly TO
b. feared are several OF twelve inches calibre
on the Hontoria system throwing Wo-pounc
protectiles but at night IL r. doubtful II these
would do any irretrievable injury in the short
time that would ensue before their EN-
placements would be rendered untenable by the
high explosive bursting proJectiles OF the squad
ron.
The city OF Havana In all likelihood will only
be shelled by either or land forces as a
last resort Foreign interests there. including
property OF great value owned by Americans
would not be ruthlessly destroyed except on the
greatest provocation or as an urgent military
necessity The idea Is entertained that the pat
teries Of Havana will be silcnced the first night
course Of half an hour. II not a day may be
allowed 10 elapse for the display Of the signal
OF surrender and II this does not occur the
bonbardrnent will be resumed the following
night and continued until the destruction ~ COM
plete.
OPERATIONS TO BEGIN PROMPTLY.
tits also practically determined that no delay
shall occur In the subsection Of Havanas de-
fences after the failure 10 comply with the
American ultnatum The Navy VIII not wa"
for the embarkation Of the Army from New
Orleans Mobile and Tampa 10 begin OFFENSIVE
operations The feet will menace Havana at
once, the cruisers will promptly establish tft
blockade, preventing the ingress or egress or all
vessels from he harbor and the attack on the
forts is expected the first night. In order tnat
as many vessels possible may subsequently
be spared by Captain Sampson 10 cover the
landing Of troops al Matanzas and such other
places have been selected by the War Board
The plans for the cooperation Of the two
Services have been worked out with complete
harmony and until their execution they are
not apt to be divulged That they demand
prompt and energetic movements Of the allied
FORCES is certain but whether they involve the
ceay that is inseparable n the volunteers are
10 oe modified before the invasion begins IS
nIa'ter OF mere speculation except to re" OF
'he highest officers Of the Army.
NOT AFRAID OF YELLOW FEVER
The bugbear OF yellow fever. which has ap-
peared as an argument against summer cam
raign In Cuba causes no concern 70 the ON
Gals charged with the health Of the Army. the
Navy or Of the territory OF the United states
Surgeon General sternberg. Of the Army. VINO
Is recognized the world over as the highest au-
'hori,y on infectious diseases in general and
yehow fever in particular, expresses confidence
=" 'ne excellent sanitary provisions Of the mill
'a'y service TO divest Yellow Jack OF It's worst
eharacterstics. and does not fear that 1t viii