Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-28
AN ACTIVE MOVEMENT
Significance of the Bombardment of
Matanzas.
TROOPS TO Be LANDED IN CUBA
Concentration Of the Insurgent
Troops in the Vicinity.
THE CIVIL GOVERNM

The news of the bombardment of Matan-
zas is given significance here beyond the
mere dismounting Of the guns and destruc-
tion of the batteries at Matanzas. 1t is re-
sarded as the preliminary of an aggressive
movement to be followed soon by the land
Ing of enough troops to establish base of
supplies for the Cuban army 1t does not
necessarily mean that troops are to be
landed at Matanzas, but they will be land
ed In that vicinity, and no opportunity will
be given the Spanish to complete their de-
lenses nor to repair the damage done by
the bombardment. 1t is thought that a
Port will soon be opened to us in that i'm
mediate vicinity free from the fire of Span
1sh guns and that large quantity of sup
plies will speedily be landed both for the
equipment of the Cuban army and for the
relief of the suffering non-combatants.
The time that is being consumed in COM
parative inactivity is no. being wasted. An
Opportunity is being given the Cuban army
to concentrate at convenient point and to
open up free communication with the har-
borage selected for the landing of equip
ment and supplies.
Time for Action in Sight.
dered is accepted as an Indication that
matters have developed so that the time
for ac,ion is definitely in sight. The bonn
bardment was hardly a mere retaliation
for shots fred from the Spanish batteries,
for such provocation has before been given
without response from the guns of our
fleet, and the general instructions do not
contemplate our vessels going into action
until some definite object is in view.
In botn official and congressional circles
1t Is felt that things are drawing to a TO-
Gus, aad that activity may be expected at
most, within day or two.
distinguished official who has been
watching every move with great interest,
and has been on the inside for informa-
tion. says that the comparative calm will
b. broken suddenly, and real war will come
with a crash.
information that the Spanish feet is to
bs ordered from the Cape Verde Islands to-
day Is received with satisfaction, and it is
not thought that this feet can afford 10
return to the Canaries and remain In port
there while we are landing in Cuba SUD-
plies for GomeZ's army to enable 1t to ren
up the Spanish forces in Havana from the
island side. as they are now cut off from
relief by sea.
Forward Movement Expected.
A forward movement OF the fleet is there
fore expected. The Spanish must realize
that nothing can be accomplished by a di-
rect attack upon our blockade. Therefore
some significance is attached to the reports
In marine circles at ST. John, NJ f. 1t is
expected that the Spanish fleet will soon
appear there and attempt to obtain coal.
Inference drau
-that which appears most evident on the
surface. The appearance Of Spanish war
vessels in our northern waters or the re-
port that they have sailed in that direc-
tion is liable to be feint to cover another
movement. The theory is advanced here.
and is regarded Of sufficient plausibility
TO warrant precaution, that while a feirlt
Is made at attacking some of our northern
ports a strong Spanish fleet will sail by
southerly course to or south of the Wind
ward Islands and attempt to approach
CUBA on the south side, landing provisions,
troops and munitions of war.
May Land on South Side of the Island.
AT this season of the year the waters
IN that direction are extremely calm
and Islands. are SO numerous that the
approach Of the feet, while difficult, would
to a great extent be protected from dis
covery. To watch for them would be like
chase through maze. The landing of
the Montesarrat on the south coast OF Cuba
Is regarded as indicating that the Spanish
place reliance upon circuitous southern
course to avoid our blockade fleet The
TACT That she succeeded indicates that this
reliance Is not entirely without reason.
ine intricate passages among the Wind
ward Islands have been the scene of Span
ish piratical exploits in the past,
news OF an engagement between our
Aslatlc fleet and the Spanish off the Phil
lppine Islands Is expected in a day or two.
ABOUT the same time we may have a d.
version in the North Atlantic and stimuli
taneously with the landing of troops in
Cuba to provision the insurgents there is
possibility that the Spanish feet may
appear on the southern coast of Cuba
A Junction With Gomez.
The plan for forming a junction with
Gomez contemplates not only the provision
ing and equipping Of the insurgent army,
but also the establishment by Gomez of a
civil government In Matanzas and declare it
the capital Of the Island of Cuba The
Cuban army is to be concentrated, the cap
ital declared. the civil government fully es-
tablished under the protection of our fleet
and the army to be provisioned and equip
ped by the United States. It is calculated
that under this plan the island can be con-
quercd largely by the Cubans themselves
and at the same time their civil govern
ment can be perfected and SO strongly in
trenched that when the Spanish have evac-
uated the Cubans will be prepared to give
the island a stable and peaceful govern
ment. All the relief to the starving popu-
lation Is to be for the present from this
central point. which will also be made the
base Of operations for the Red Cross
Lieut.. C0lvveIls Health Restored.
LONDON. April 28.-Lieut. Colwell. the
United States naval attache here, has re-
covered his health sufficiently to be able to