The age-herald., 1898-05-11
The Havana Movement.

As soon as the Porto Rico problem and the Cape Verde problem are solved, the government will, beyond reasonable doubt, take up without much delay the problem of Cuba itself. The Cuban problem dif- fers from all the rest in the fact that 1t is both naval and military. The military side of 1t predominates. True, the fleet who are to be landed from the transports, and must perhaps continue to protect the fortified camp that they will form. But when the time comes for interior moye-. ments-for the advance upon Havana, the chief work will fall upon the army. This will be the army's opportunity for winning its share of the glory of the war;
 The recent landing of Cuban volunteers, not only well-equipped themselves. but car- rying additional guns and additional am- munition, shows what can be readily done at any point on the coast, Havana alone excepted. The landing was made at Mariel, a town west of Havana, in Pinar del Rio province The interior of the island from end to end is held by Gomez's men, and communication with them is not difficult The island is comparatively narrow, aver aging about fifty miles. It is thought that the Spaniards are abandoning all but the part of the coast is closely watched by them except that in the neighborhood of Havana A landing near Havana would be stoutly resisted, and yet 1t could be accomplished without serious loss under the powerful guns of the fleet.
 When Admiral Sa npson's fleet returns to its Havana station the work of invasion will surely be begun, and 1t will be upon a scale that ensures permanence and suc- cess Between the fleet and the insurgents 1t will present no great difficulties. The first landing party will be strong enough to hold it's ground. Not less than 10000 men will be needed in such q movement, and their fortified camp will constitute a base island--a base of the army that is to as- sault Havana and end the war. There are some grounds for believing that Matanzas, fifty-two miles east of Havana, will be the landing point. Its railroads and high ways, its great hills, and its centrallty, all seem to point 1t out as a base for the operations needed to conquer Blarco and capture Havana.
 The rie minary fighting, after landing has been atc ct mplshed. may be done by the insurgents; but when the advance upon Havana takes place American soldiers, led by American officers, will be needed. Ala Lamas veteran leader will doubtless find n!s great work in the Havana campaign. The Havana campaign will not be one of long sieges and tedious operations. Modern wars arc sht 1t. Heavy, decisive movements soon te.' the story. The Franco-German war was practically fought out in thi,,y days, and the more recent Japanese war in China was soon ended. There wilt not be a period of inaction in Cuba. From the arrival of the last transport to the general assault on Havana, it is safe to say not ovef thirty days will be given. The cli- mate forbids inaotfon. The army docs not desire It. The situation calls for an es- sauIt not unlike Commodore Dewey's in preparedness and decislvsness. The regu- lars and the volunteers and the insurgents and the fleet VIII ell -coroperate in the hig