The herald., 1898-05-20
full MONTH IS NfFDFD
TO PREPARE FOR INVASION OF
CUBA
BULL RUN IS NOT FORGOTTEN
And It Is Intended to Avoid an Ex.
/. perience in Any Way Similar
to That 9c
Associated Press Special Wire


NEW YORK. May ia special to the
Times from Washington says:
The plans Of the invasion of Cuba by the
United States forces remain unchanged.
The elusive performances of the Spanish
squadron have prevented the execution OF
part at least Of the program, but it has
been altered in no important particular.
The determination to dispatch to the is
land as soon as possible an army of not
less than 900 men competent to meet and
cope with the forces of Blanco still stands.
But the time has not yet come when it il
practicable to do this, for the simple rea-
son that the army is not ready to be sent
to Cuba. The 5000 regulars massed at
Tampa are prepared to go at any time.
The majority of the volunteers gathering
at Tampa, New Orleans, Mobile and Chick
amauga are not prepared to go anywhere
until they are uniformed, armed. equipped
and have some training in the art of war.
All Of this will take time. The best judg-
ment of military experts Is that it will re-
quire not less than a month under the most
favorable circumstances to put $4,000 vol
unteers in condition to reinforce the regu-
lars for the army of Cuban invasion.
1t is thought by many trained officers
that more time than that ought to be and
Is likely to be taken.
1t is recollected that General Scott spent
six months training and drilling his army
before he invaded Mexico and it is not
contended that the invasion Of Cuba is any
less formidable an undertaking than the
conquest Of Mexico.
The inglorious experience at Bull Run
is a favorable illustration Of the unwisdom
Of putting recruits to the serious business
Of war too soon.
There is one portion Of the Cuban pro-
gram, however, which may not be delayed
much longer. That the dispatching of an
expedition, made up almost, If not entire.
ly, Of regulars from the Tampa camp to
make landing on the Cuban coast throw
up Notifications and clear the way for
the coming Of the army proper later on
It is not settled that this will be done,
but strong arguments are being used in
favor Of the project. 1t is urged that
we went into this war largely in Or
der to save the reconcentrados from star
walton, but that as result of our present
plan of campaign we are making their
starvation sure and rendering 1t unlikely
that the insurgents will suffer something
akin to the same fate. A move towards
these people, it is urged, Is commanded by
every consideration of humanity, even il
1t be at great risk. A force of 500 regulars
landed at an available spot on the coast of
Cuba, 1t is contended, should be able to
do something toward relieving this suffer-
ing by establishing a depot Of supplies,
which could be drawn on by the insurg-
ents. Further, It Is argued in favor of tho
seizure of the landing place without delay,
that the undertaking is becoming more diff
fcult every day, and that the regulars
could not be better employed than in
providing Notifications to protect the de-
barkation of the army when 1t is ready to
move.
The longer the occupation of landing
place is delayed, 1t is pointed out. the
more time Blanco has for throwing up
fortifcations and mounting batteries
along the coast which will cause trouble
when the real invasion begins.
The advocates of this movement believe
1t would be easy for force of the strength
mentioned to hold Its own with the protec-
tion that the blockading squadron could
afford.
There Is no prospect, however, that even
a preliminary movement of this nature is
lively to be undertaken Immediately For
the present, at least, all military move
ments will await the result of the maneu-
vering Of the squadron in West Indian
A Siege Train
CHICAGO, May ia special to the
Journal from Newt York says: Arrange
ments are being made by the quartermas-
ter's department for siege train to be
shipped to Cuba and to follow in the wake
of the invading party. The train will be
able to carry $4,000 pounds Of artillery and
will be used for supplies to be established
at interior towns.
Catholic Knights
ST. LOUIS, May 19.-After celebrating