The San Francisco call., 1898-05-01

turned out to be very effective against inc wooden sides of the battle ships and gun boats; in fact within a very few hours every one of the floating batteries lay perfectly quiescent on the water a useless mass of burning hulks.
 The endeavors and energy of the de- lenders finally prevailed over the vast numerical superiority of their oppon- ents. and on the 14th of the month the desperately conducted attack was aiven up and the Spanish troops re- fired to their lines, severely crippled bv the enormous losses they had suf- fered winter quarters were taken up, the bombardment practically aban- doned and peace was declared on the 2d of February following. Thus ended the most memorable siege that can be found in the pages or history; remark, able for many reasons but most of all fo1. the small loss of life among the de- lenders. who during the three years and a half that the investment lasted lost in all but 500 men, whilst they in f1cted on the enemy total loss or several thousands of lives.
 To return to our story, 1t is evident that Havana, not enjoying the admit ted impregnability of Gibraltar, nor yet nossessing the magnificent defenSeS fbat were the boast of Paris, is more comparable to Alexandria, which simi-
 
 the resemblance between the climates and strategical positions of the two cities. and. though Havana is lacking in quantity to equal the Egyptian pat teries. the deficiency may perhaps be coupensated for by the more modern quality of the guns ana superior class of gunners This last desideratum is a most important one. for it is indisput- ahle that with good guns and we'll trained men behind them, even though the number of both leave much to be desired. and the Qualifications be any thing but invulnerable. any fort ought to give a good account of itself against even greatly superior odds, for a short time at least.
 With the improvements of late years in range-finding instruments. and the enormously increased destructive range of high power guns. the advantage is all in favor of stationary fort, from which distances are merely matter of momentary calculation and direc- tions easily observed, as opposed to constantly moving snip, on board which distance observations are prac- ticalIv a matter of trial, while the roll ing of the sea constantly interferes with correct laying.
 Fspecially is this the case in any kind of a heavy sea; but once let the guns of a fleet be properly trained on the fort. and a couple of good shots made; and if will take a most powerful set of Notifications to resist annihilation, for. once the range is definitely obtain cd the pitching and tossing of the ship as well as it's capability of constant motion. altering both speed and direc- tion combine to form a great element of security; whereas the fort is now a fixed and immovable target.
 The capture of the Havana, there fore would not only be an important strategic movement, but also one easy of accomplishment, except in the event of the presence of a large Spanish yscuadrcn in the immediate vicinity of the harbor. since there Is no reason to fear the power of the guns of Morro Castle in a prolonged bombardment-
 The capture of Havana in 1762 by the combined English and American forces was a notable event.
 The cause of the war with Spain in 1762 was the treaty between the Bour- bon princes then reigning in France and Spain. which they called the Family Compact" to support each, others thrones. I1ouis-SS-~as at war with England, and was so near the end of his resources that his tottering throne needed the help of Spain, and Charles H. who then ruled the Dons. was incensed with England because of an insult given him when he had been King of Naples. The Spanish King made an attempt to keep the compact secret until the immense treasure col lected at Havana could be transported to Spain, but the British Premier, Pitt, learned of the compact and planned an immediate war in order to intercept the richly laden Spanish fleet on it's way from the Indies. Pitt was baked in