The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-18
HOW WAR WILL BEGIN.
Plan Formulated 10 Make Spain Conn
mence HOstilities.


Washington Letter in ST. Louis Globe-Dem-
ocrat.
Some ten days ago the lawyers in the
Senate, who had been requested by repre-
sentatives of the administration to make
research of international law and the pre-
cedentS upon which the powers would pro-
coed after the close OF our war with Spain.
reported that recognition of the insurgents
as a form of government or the declaration
of independence of the island would GER
tainly fasten upon the Omitted States the
debt of both the Cuban government and
Spain, and after the administration had be-
gun a procedure to avoid the responsibility
in the declaration by Congress Il programme
was mapped out, and here it is, from a high
when the joint resolution becomes a law
one of the fleets of our navy, possibly the
one that has been stationed at Hampton
Roads Will be used as a convoy to accom-
pany fleet provisioned for the succor of
the starving people of the island of Cuba
There will possibly be six or eight of the
war ships Of various descriptions and pos
sibly a like number of merchantmen loaded
with provisions clothing physicians and
nurses. The objective point is Matanzas;
but it is likely a lower point on the island
will be selected as it is reported that the
harbor at MatanzaS has been planted with
mines and torpedoes
ish will resist the landing of this fleet IL
will certainly accept the mission as one or
firing upon this fleet by Spain viii be a.
parallel, in the rules OF war. to the firing
upon Fort sumter by the Confederates:
the policy of President Lincoln in SO pros
ceedng with affairs in the bay of Charles.
ton as to be on the defensive rather than
the offensive at the opening of our civil
var 1t is said that Lincolns policy was
to make II clear that the federal govern.
ment would not be antagonized by any OF
the foreign powers, inasmuch as we had
not precipitated the war, and secondly, to-
avoid the payment at the close of the wars
OF damages that would be incurred on ac-'
count of the destruction of property by fed-l
eral trops. but owned by the Confederates.
When Spain fires upon our fleet we VIII
first Congress not having made declara-
financially responsibility be absolved from
any financial liabilities incurred by any one
on the Island of Cuba, and, secondly. we
will have made it impossible for any armed
interference upon the part OF any of the
powers
1T is believed that there Will be a juno
ton of the marine and other forces landed
point of our landing in Cuba. War will
then be in existence Immediately there is
10 be march to the Seaports in the direc-
ton of Havana and each one will be taken
rapidly. as reached. Contemporaneous
with the movement of our soldiers on land
harbor of Havana, which city is to be bonn
barded from every direction.
After the departure of the Spanish troops
from Cuba will come the serious question or
prvateerng upon all vessels sailing under
the American flag. 1t is not believed that
more than three weeks can eapse after the
passage of the resolution by Congress be-
fore the bombardment of Havana. unless
Spain voluntarily evacuates the Island OF
Cuba. 1t is believed that many months will
eapse before the privateering on our mer-
chantmen Oh the sea can be stopped"