The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1898-03-18
How to Open the War.

pIcCeub lOI IHldl utCldi uNioii vi Noi
That has been the rule IN nine out of
ten wars that have occurred in the
last 200 years. A shot is the custom
airy notice served by nations when
they enter upon war.
The navies would first be called
into action. or battleships, coast
defenders, cruisers and gunboats the
United States can muster 30 and
Spain 10. OF torpedo boats, the
United States has s and Spain 27,
Fleet yachts could quickly be trans
formed into torpedo boats by the
United States so that the advantage
lies wholly with this country,
Spain is massing her naval strength
at Havana. Admiral Sicard is in
command at Key West of the best
fleet ever assembled In American
waters.
In accordance with plan of cam
paign mapped out by General Sheri-
dan, while Grant was president, and
brought up TO date by naval officers
a year ago, the American feet would
descend upon Cuba.
The movement would accomplish
the double object of striking blow
at Spain's navy and of blockading
Cuban ports, thereby penning in the
island the flower of the Spanish
army.
A naval battle outside Havana
would he the first great event of the
war. With tie defeat OF the Span
ish fleet the American program
would be to blockade the Cuban
ports, land an army of perhaps 50,-
900 men to cooperate with General
Gomez's forces and the navy in talk
ing Havana. Steps would also be
taken to run down Spanish privateers
sent out to prey on American COM
merce and to arrange for the inNa-
sion OF Spain. If, by any possibility
the American ships should be de-
feated they would of course be
thrown back on the coast of this
country, and steps would be taken
to resist Spanish invasion. A Ger
man authority suggested few days
ago that Spain best plan would be
to land an army of 100000 men and
to divide the force into four armies
of 80, 900 men each to operate in the
country.
Army and navy officers have no
fear, however, of such calamity
AT the same time that the movement
was made upon Cuba, fleets would
lombard the principal ports and
blockade the Islands of Porto Rico
and the Philippines. The Asiatic
squadron is at Hong Kong r-ady to
decend upon the Philippines and to
oppose the American fleet Spain has
no force worthy of mention. Within
easy sailing distance of Porto Rico
and ready to cooperate with Ad-
miral Sicard's fleet, they have five
cruisers and gunboats.
A popular prediction is that an
actual battle off Cuba, the taking oi
Havana. the blockading of Porte
Rico aud the Philippine islands
would be the great events of war ant
that it would be over in 60 days.
The flying squadron will probably
be assigned to protect American
vessels, 10 persue commerce destroy
ers and prevent Spanish shipping.
Railroad compalnIes have arrang
ed for transpoi tation. Tho govern
ment has been given assurance tina
troops could be landed in Florida a
the rate of 100000 per day.
The first action would be to assem-
BILE the men at point from whicl
> they could most easily be distribut
ed along the coast for defense or EN-
barked for Cuba. Atlanta and Chick
" amauga have been mentioned, Tia
? place has been selected, but it is, o
course secret with the war depart
: ment. Ships might be boarded a
Mobile, Pensacola, Tampa, Jackson
vile or Savannah or at several o
, those ports for transportation t.
, Cuba. The regular minimum is ",
600 men and is ready for immeIiat
! service. Over 100000 members O
the national guard could be mobiliz
] ed at Atlanta within three days.
A few weeks would bring out vol
+ unteers, Il large proportion familia
f with military life, to the front in an.
| desired number. Spain's force |
$1,000 regular, 100000 first reserv
! and l,050,G00 second reserve.
The second reserve in this countr,
is oyer 100000. The sea coast de
fenses are manned and ready fo
business.
The first duty of the navy reserves
. would be 20 man II mosquito fleet O
: torpedo boats, etc, along the coasts
r but places would soon be found TO
them on big fighting ships.
In addition to the $50, 100000 al
ready appropriated short wa
would cost probably $2O0,0O0,O00.-
, Columbus Press.