Evening star., 1898-05-25
On to Cuba.

ION to Cuba Is the cry around the White
House today since the establishment of the
firm belief in administration circles and at
the Executive Mansion that the fleet of
Admiral Cervera is securely bottled in the
bay of Santiago and apparently beyond
power of doing harm.
Secretary Alger was in conference with
the President about noon today, and 1t is
said that he was uncompromising in his
views that Cuba ought to be invaded at
once by a powerful army. He argued, 1t
is said, that everything should be swept
with a rush now that danger to conveys
is over. The administration does not be-
lieve that another fleet is yet on it's way
from Cadiz. Even If 1t has left there, 1t is
yet weeks away from Cuban waters.
Land an army and lombard Havana from
the sea- is the cry on all sides around the
White House. This cannot be said to be
the determination of the President, who is
securely keeping his plans, but 1t Is the
slogan of friends whose advice he frequent
ly took before the declaration of war.
Some Say Porto Rico.
With this almost universal advice that
Cuba must now be captured are few
trusted friends of the President with the
opinion that Porto Rico should be taken
first and Cuba afterward. "Bombard San
Juan In earnest this time, silence the forts,
land troops and capture the island is the
advice given by one of these friends.
There are 1900 Spanish troops on the
island" continued the speaker. I'VE can
land 5000 Americans and the island is
ours. While hot, the climate is healthy,
and death and destruction do not lurk in
every breath of air as in Cuba. Besides we
want Porto Rico before the Spaniards ask
for peace. After we secure the island we
can march on Cuba which we will have to
give up to the Cubans. We won't have to
give up Porto Rico. however, and we
want something to compensate US for the
war"
Plan Under Consideration.
1t is declared that the President has this
plan under consideration and is seriously
giving it his attention The project has
been put before him.
Those who are advocating the capture of
Porto Rico are among those opposed to in
vading Cuba at this time. They see in
this new program a chance to gain their
point and at the same time largely silence
the demand from all quarters for marching
on Cuba.
The projectors Of the Porto Rican cam
paign say that Schley can easily sink a few
old vessels in the narrow outlet from San
tiago and effectually silence Cervera for all
time. One ship and a few men would be
sufficient. it is claimed, to prevent the re-
moval of this debris Such scheme would,
1t is further claimed, permit withdrawal
of a majority of Schley's squadron to what
ever point deemed best by the naval au-
thorities.
All these suggestions are predicated On the
belief that Schley will be unable to get to
Cervera and must be content to wait on the
outside.
A COuntermine Plan Probable
A prominent officer of the engineer CORPS
| of the army. who was at the White Hous.
| today, said that If Commodore Schley de-
| cided TO attempt to get at the Spanish fleet
| he would probably send for the dynamite
| cruiser to cCuntermine the narrow cham Il
| entering the harbor of Santiago This
\ would be the most interesting thing in
| naval warfare" he said. 'Coantermipine
is done by mapping off place in squares
Big blocks of dynamite are thrown into
each square and exploded If there are any
naines they are exploded when the dyna-
| naite goes Of The actual work is easy II
not interfered with by Notifications or
| ships"
| Trade Commiasioner Suggested.
Charles A. Moore, vice president for New
Continued on Second Page.)