Evening star., 1898-04-28
F FORTS S|LENCED
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ed on their Notifications It is stated posi-
lively that Admiral SIMPSONS purpose was
simply to ascertain If any shore batteries
existed at Matanzas, If so to draw their fire
and ascertain their character and then to
retire beyond range In other words it is
simply a naval reconnaissance. In the event
that during his observations the admiral
mad discovered that new defenses We're un-
der construct ton on shore, he would, of
course, not lose the opportunity to cripple
them by throwing few shells into the
earthworks to knock over gun or two.
Soon to BE Reduced.
1t is the general belief at the department
tnat although for prudential reasons the
rev officers who know positively dare not
cf11clally confirm the belief that Matanzas
IS to be soon reduced and made a base of
operations in the campaign against Ha-
Vana 1t is the Presidents purpose to keep
In mind throughout the war the awful con-
cltloh OF the reconcentrados, who are most
numerous psrhaps in that section of the is
land. Unless relief is extended to them
they Will undoubtedly perish during the
progress Of a long drawn-out war. The re-
ported seizure by the Spanish military au-
thorltles at Matanzas of stores that were
contributed by Americans and held in trust
there for the relief CT these poor sufferers.
| is a clear indication that even if the Red
Cross steamer Texas is permitted to land
her cargo of supplies at Matanzas under
existing conditions, the food will not reach
the reconcentrados, but will only so to sup
port the Spanish garrison in their resist
ance. Therefore 1t is believed that the
President contemplates the early seizure of
Matanzas, not only because of it's military
Importance, but in order that he may from
there hold outsa helping hand to the starry
ing peasantry, and it Is likely that while
there was nothing in the nature Of a gen.
efai engagement in the adrnirdl's recon-
hoissance of yesterday, he will soon take
steps TO carry out that program.
Admit Several Were Killed
MADRID, April 2S.-Little credence is
attached at Madrid to the dispatches from
New York telling of the bombardment OF
MatanZas, as the latter conflict with the
official reports"
The latter, in addition to saying the
Americans were obliged to retreat" ad-
NIT several men were killed" and that
some damage vas done to the town" also
saying that the American loss is not
known
ihe forts of Havana, it is announced
here, have not yet fired single proiectile
the cannon shots being merely signaling.
DEFENsEs OF MATANZAs.
senator Money Says IL Few Smooth
Bores Could Destroy Them,
Senator Money of Mississippi was one of
the early visitors at the Navy Department
Today He took special interest in the re-
Poft Oh naval engagement at MatanZas
as he was there only "a month ago ana
took occasion at that time to make close
observations OF such defense works as The
Spaniards had established From his par
sonal inspection, Senator Money says the
defenses were exceedingly meager and an
tiquated, not being entitled to rank as
modern fortifcatiors.
MatanzaS harbor is funnel shane
said the senator, with the city Of Matan
zas at the extreme inner end of the fun
mel. Back OF the city sweeps a range of
hlgn hills, almost reaching the dignity of
mountains which make a complete cir
cult of the funnel except where the Umari
river passes through. l went to the ton
Of these high hills, which commanded a
hne view of the harbor and such defenses
as existed, and later went by train and by
ioot around the harbor to get general
VAC" VI tue SiludtiOH Oniy one Tort
in existence at that time 1t was San
Saverino, at the right of the entrance of
the harbor. There were no shore batteries
or deeenses at or adjacent to Matanzas.
Eor were there any, so far as l could OBJ
serve, on the left of the entrance TO the
harbor. San Saverino is an old-time Span
ish fort, completely out of date in point of
arrangement and equipment 1t is OF ma
sonry hich has stood a hundred years or
II ore. and at best is only a small affair
This was the only thing observable in the
way of a defense. There were no earth
works or block house forts at that time.
They are in the habit of throwing together
a snail square block house and calling it
fort. but 1t has none of the character
istics of modern fortifcation, and while i
good enough to repel insurgent infantry
and cavalry. it would amount to abso-
lutely nothing against the big guns of a
warship. But even these had not been
started month ago Since then rough
earthworks may have been thrown I'D
hastily, but little could have been accom-
plished in month"; and certainly no forti-y
fication of masonry could have been To-
Gated.
II never heard Of Fort Rubalcava, men
toned in the reports of the reduction of
the defenses at Matanzas, and no such
fort existed when Iswas there a month ago.
This may however. be one of the i'm
promptu defenses which the Spaniards style
folts. The camps of the reconcentrados
are on the sweep of hills back of Matanzas
and on the side opposite San, Saverino
There are two Of these camps one on the
highest ground and another further down.
and here are huddled together the Door
Cuban sufferers. Judging from my obser-
walton, I would not think that the de-
fences of MataEzas could make q very
stubborn fire, or that their reduction would
be a difficult task for few Of our war
ships"
After talking with naval chiefs, Senator
Money concluded that the attack on Ma
tanxas was not q serious affair. and he |
added the remark that, from his observa-
tions he believed q few old smooth bores
could knock to pieces all the defenses Ma
tanzas possessed.
Ordered Released.
The Treasury Department has orfered tt<