The times., 1898-04-25

to attempt to fight us under those cir
cumstances. There are few light
draft vessels under the spanish flag on
patrol duty. These vessels would re-
main in the harbors of course. Thus.
you see. the entire matter Is confined
then to the blockade only.
Whether we shall lombard Havana
or other principal ports in Cuba remains
to be seen. l don't know what the plans
of the department are in that respect.
And then again all this depends large
ly upon circumstances. Occasions may
arise when il would be absolutely neces-
sary for our ships to open fire, notwith-
standing the fact that the original in
struCtions to the commander-in-chief
might be to the effect to abstain from
bombarding, but simply to carry on an
effective patrol and blockade
Asked how he would so about taking
Havana, Admiral Erben said: THAT
again depends upon circumstances. Tn
der no circumstances would / land the
men from the ships. Unless 1t Is abso-
lutely necessary the navy should wait
before taking possession of the island
until the army is ready to land. If every
thing is in readiness then the landing
can be effected after the battleships have
cleared the coast sufficiently to enable
the troop ships to proceed to the shore
and land the troops. This again should
be done under the protection of our guns
only. The transport ships should be con
voyed under all circumstances. The old
established rule is to clear away the
beach, that is. to lombard the shore,
drive away the enemy AMI then keep him
back with the guns from the ships whiie
the boats with the military aboard head
for the shore"
AS to heavy lighting on shore Ad-
miral Erben said he had not considered
that point. Il hardly tnink that such
would be the case" he added. II think
we shall have no trouble IN subduing the
10000 or more Spanish soldiers in Cuba.
What shall we do with them afterward?
Oh, that question would come up later.
Turn them loose and take their parole
that they will not bear arms against the
United States again"
DO you think an attempt will be made
by the Spaniards to lombard New
York;"
mo. sir; Spain will not send her fleet
to this shore. New York is perfectly
safe from any foreign attack. No doubt
| the torpedoes have been laid
Admiral Erben said that he had IN
spected the New Orleans. which was
| bought in England for this country He
| said he was delighted with the ship,
! that her officers spoke Of her IN the high
| est terms. and that she was altogether
! an excellent boat OF her klnd ana claSS.
| He feared that the little torpedo-boat
bought in Germany and now undergoing
repairs in Falmouth, England, would
| never cross the ocean.
| she was not built for that said the
] admiral. But few attempts nave Deei
made to send small torpedo boats across
the Atlantic. England has succeeded III
sending few over to this side. but every
time il was necessary to select very
southerly passage. 1t Is for that reason
that | have my doubts as to the advisa'
bility of sending the torpedo boats OF
Spain from Cape Verde Islands to this
| country or to Cuba or Porto Rico
And when. in your opinion. VIII the
| war be ended? How long can 1t last?
Admiral Erben threw up both hands
leaned back in his chair and shook his
| head.
Don't ask me-" he said, ''for l viii
never tell you. Nobody can tell this now
II may not be concluded for some time tt
come This is the most natural thing t'
believe"