The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-15
AN ATTACK BY
LAND AND WATER
Havana Will Be Besieged in Both
Ways.
Troops Can Be Ready in Forty-Eight Hours and
War Ships viii Guard Florida Straits
While They Are Being
Transported.

New York, April IA special to the
Times from Washington says: The plans of
the joint land and naval attack on Havana
have been practically decided on. They
have been the subject of elaboration of
number of meetings Of the naval strategy
board, of councils of the joint war and
navy board and of conferences between the
governmental and military officials.
From the first It was considered abso-
lutely essential that there should be a joint
movement of the land and naval forces
of the United States against the Sptniards
in Cuba, and the only thing left for dis
cussion was the best course to be pursued
in carrying out this plan.
One difficulty that has continually pre-
scented itself is the fact that the navy is
ready for am advance on Havana within an
hour after the the declaration of war, while
the army could not possibly throw any con-
siderable force in Cuba In less than forty
eight hours. Should the fleet of Captain
2 Sampson wait until the army Is ready?
has been asked, or should it as soon war
is determined on, proceed to carry out its
instructions and invest Havana from the
sea?
To Hold the Straits
1t is now decided that the fleet will at
once move on Havana 1nfest and at the
same time hold open the Florida Straits
for the free transportation of troops into
the island. A part of the fleet will be en-
ployed for this purpose, as well as to keep
open the gulf to the west Of Havana for
like purpose.
AS soon as the army is ready, which will
be within forty-eight hours, considerable
body of troops will be thrown into the
province of Pinar del Rio, in the neigh
borhood of Bahia Hondo, and an advance
will be begun at once The fleet will CO.
operate with the land forces the moment
they land in Cuba, and both will attack
Havana simultaneously.
Even If the resolution finally passed by
congress does not recognize the present
republican government in the island, the
plan of the army is to unite with the ar
mics of Gomez and Garcia as allies against
the Spaniards. 1t is probable that troops
will be sent to join these revolutionary
armies in Puerto Principe or Santa Clara,
or that ships will be sent to transport some
of the Cuban troops to the vicinity of the
capital.
In any event an effort will be made to
cooperate at once with the armies of the
revolutionary leaders in the work of driv-
ing the Spaniards out of the island With
the establishment of a stable and indepen-
dent government in free Cuba. the army
will have nothing to do at least in the
preliminary part of the campaign. Its task
is to sweep the Spaniards out of the island.
TO do this most effectively, 1t will at once
seek the closest alliance with the revolu-
tionary troops.
Gomez Has Respectable Army
THE war department is certain that
Gomez and Garcia have respectable armies
in the eastern parts of the Island. rms
conclusion is based upon the following ac-
count. that they have been able to hold
hack the Spanish army and to even win no
table victories against some OF the pest
officers of Spain. These revolutionary
troops, aided by some American regu airs
and supplied with arms and ammunition,
will be able it is thought, to do very effec-
tiye work against the soldiers under Blanco
and Pando. -
As soon as war is declared the war de-
partment will ISSUE upon the call OF the
president, orders for the enlistment OF at
iaast 15o ON troops. At first there was some
talk of 10 900 volunteers being sufficient Tor
the purpose, but 1t was found that this
Z number would not be sufficient to keep up
the garrisons along the coast, together with
A body of troops sufficiently large 10 deIeno
the country from invasion. 1t would not De
at all adequate to the task Of supplying re-
Inducements for the army of occupation,
or of forming nucleus Of still larger army
for any operations on a larger scale than is
now contemplated. Certainly not less than
50 400 troops will be called for at once, and
$50 900 will be assuredly organized within a
short time after the opening OF hostilities.
orders for great volunteer force are now
being prepared, and can be Issued instantly
upon declaration of war.
Until war is declared or recognized as ex-
listing nothing further can be done. AS soon
as it Is declared, with clause in the reso-
luton authorizing the organization OF a
volunteer army, these orders will be trans
mitted to the proper authorities, and at
least $4,000 men will be ready to respond
10 the call Of the president to go wherever
the government thinks is advisable to send
them.