The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-14
THE PLAN OF ACTION.
Tn. Fail Of Havana n Matter oil " re"
Days Only. -


Tn. Fall of Havana n M"''er ''
Days Only.
vorL Anril 1s.-Advices received
~, ,hs navy department indicate nat
Snain is organizing as rapidly as pc
.,hIa two poverful fleets which wiii' u
q, -sunnosed. be opposed to the Two
eaets mat this country has assempieu
at Kew West and ampton ttoaus,
saws a Washington corresponoen. VI
the Times. one OF ner !, Vincent
ing at Puerto Grande, 81. Nincen.
cane de Verde islands, and the other s
| forming at Cadiz, spain.
Naval experts think that the meet AT
cadiz is intended for the defense OF the
Spanish coast from any attack py .ne
hying squadron. while the heet Una ~
assembling at the Cape de Nerue
isIands &c intended for retaliatory at
,acLs unon our coasts. 1t is remarked
that the latter fleet Is composed OF very
fast vessels. tor pedo boats, torpedo poat
destroyers and swift cruisers. Even the
supply vessels of this force are rap
ia. and could keep up with the move
ments OF the rest of the neet. III Is
inst the kline of a squadron that wouid
Ne formed for the purpose of attacking
the coast and In the meantime dongihs
an enemy's fleet.
II Is BIZ that II could keep out
of the way of the majority OF Captain
Sampson's vessels, and II would not be
safe for one or two American ships TO
leave the squadron too far n sub
iect themselves to a sudden attack
by a swarm of torpedo boats. III TINS
American squadron keeps together,
therefore. IL seems probable that the
Spanish fleet. which is faster as a whole,
could evade IL on the high seas and
choose it's own way OF fighting.
The plan ~presupposes that the Span
ish fleet now rendeZvoused I'm the cape
Verde islands will move To the defense
of Havana or seek to draw on the
American ships by a foray on our
coast. 1t is evident that Spain expects
an attack on Havan and II was for
hits reason that she withdrew the VIZ
caya and the Almirante Oquendo from
that harbor.
IL is true that she has not, at least
according TO the latest advices of the
navy department. moved this torpedo
and cruiser fleet further In this direc-
ton: but this il thought to be due To
the fact that she is afraid to start II
this way on it's long journey across the
ocean lest war should be declared ana
the feet be taken at a disadvantage by
the flying squadron. which would De
advised of the outbreak or hostili'ies
instantly, and could move across its
natb OF course. II the S~paniards sailed
A from Bue11O blaih' N'Ns
under sealed orders. or on orders W
,ook ont for hostile American shlps'
INIT this would not prepare them lor -
sudden attack by the hying squadroh'
which could pick it's time ana piace ioi
lighting. coa,-
N Havana Is invested and the Span
ish fleet moves to its assistance part on
Captain SIMPSONS meet Wouiu nane y.
move. unless the flying quadroh DE
t.,, i, thaGa waters. Inc APP u'
Verde fleet is not strong enough now
however. to make such
necessary, and II Is considered tnat the
Kew West squadron viii be surhcleh,
for the work of capturing Havana ana
of holding the torpedo hotilla at pay,
or of dispensing N destroying u, an.
allow the flying squadron to carry ou'
the plan already worked out, OF max
ing a dash at the Canaries n cutting
in two SPANS weak line of defense.
IL is now determined that as soor
as war is declared Captain sampson
will steam for Havana and attack II
by sea. and that a land force VIII mas
ten 10 his aid and invest the city OF
the west. thus cutting IL on entirely
from the coast OF the island, except ps
means Of an inner harbor. HaNaht
, can be readily shelled from the Sea
without exposing the attacking vessei'
: to damaging fire.
m III III tlhib w 80
. bee. who made a careful study OF tn
, defenses OF the city during his sta,
! there. 1t Is also the opinion or Gener
, al Lee, who has even made closer stud.
4 of the defenses of the capital. IL II
( also expected that the revolutionists o
5 the provinces of Pinar del Rio. who arr
by no means suppressed or exterminat
) ed. will hasten to the aid OF the arm!
K of occupation. while Gomez n Gar
: cha will nave straight on Havana from
the east.
= The Spanish troops. who have Tough
: in vain against unarmed and starving
bands OF revolutionists, will hardly d
l able to withstand such a concerted at
v tack by the revolutionists, who haN
$ successfully resisted them in the heid
and the well disciplined and well arme,
troops of the United States. The IA
! OF Havana Is thought to be a matter q
a few DAYS only. and with Havana wi
practically fall the entire Spanish au
q thority and forces in the island.
, The Aging squadron, which ma
: stripped for battle and is riding uneas
y iIy in Hampton Roads with fires bank
a ed and decks cleared for action. will b
a launched at once. IL Is thought, for II
- pre-arranged attack on the mari
=. Its purpose is to divert the SPANS
10 feet, destroy it's base OF supplies I'm til
Canaries. cut It's line of communica
- tions and seize "A point of great advan'
= age for establishing a base Of actio
!, for our navy. II will then hurry I
p the coast of Spain and engag any fee
a NAV meet in Spanish waters.