Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-20
WHO WILL FIRE FIRST?
Naval Officers Speculate on the Block
ade of Havana.
1t DEPENDS ON GENERAL BLhNCO
Captain General Has Received Def
mite Orders From Spain.
FLEET ANXIOUS FOR ACTION

Special From STAFF Correspondent
KEY WEST, Fla, April 2o.-The officers
Of the squadron are hoping that when the
ultimatum TO Spain expires not an hour
Will be lost in getting their warships under
way for Cuban waters. limitations re-
ceived from Washington have been TO the
effect that that is what is expected from
them, and the fleet is In readiness.
This morning the talk has been mainly of
what constitutes peaceful blockade and
Of how long such condition might last.
Said one officer: II only know of one peace
full blockade in the history Of naval war
fare during this century. that was when
the English fleet blockaded Greece. 1t was
peaceful enough until Turkish ships ap-
peared in those waters and gave the Eng
fish vessels a lively engagement"
Something like this may happen off Ha-
vana. The shore batteries at Havana are
extensive and they have plenty of ammuni-
ton. For weeks the men who man these
guns have been receiving instructions how
TO handle them and have been engaged ia
practice.
Orders to Gen. Blnnco.
A month ago, when the sagasta ministry
sent word to Blanco to prepare for war 1t
was officially intimated In Havana that
this instruction carried with It discretion
as to defending the city by aggressive tao
ties in the use of the means under his con-
uol.
AT that hpvi
ties had probably decided on the policy OF
Withdrawing all ships from the vicinity Of
Havana instead of risking them against
the superior force Of the North Atlantic
squadron. Blanco, It is stated. had the
power TO open fire the first American
warship which appeared in sight. II Spain
rejects tie ulumatum and accepts war he
may think this is the best way of defend
ing Havana. 1t will be entirely question
of expedIency.
If anything is to be gained by more time,
then the shore batteries will remain quiet.
W lille the first stages of peaceful block
ade are entered upon by the American fleet.
That may open way for the surrender
of the city without bombardment and with
out even firing shell. But it would be
unsafe for Captain Sampson to proceed I'M
der this assumption and to expose the ships
of his command to the danger of such a
mistake.
Batteries May Open Fire.
1t is at least an even probability
that when the fleet appears in Cuban
waters the shore batteries will be directed
by Blanco to open fire with a view Of keep
ing them from creeping in too close to
shore.
A bombardment of the city proper by the
fleet would not necessarily follow. because
the silencing of the two largest batteries
might be accomplished without a single
shell being dropped into the main portion
of the town. When the two great batter
les are silenced Havana is taken in a naval
sense, though 1t may not be yielded
by Blanco until smaller batteries are re-
duced The population is not likely to suf-
sists in reducing the batteries. The hills
offer a refuge and they lie close to Havana
The people have been expecting to flee.
They know the range of danger and can
he depended on to get out Of it. Quick ac-
ticn will be mere merciful to them than
a long drawn out peaceful blockade with
the suffering that must come from shut
ting OF food supplies. PEPPER.