The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-02
THE FIRST NOW.

In case of war between the United States
and Spain it would doubtless be the aim of
both to get in the first blow and to make
it as effective as possible. Such blow
might almost decide the result of the war,
and if delivered with the utmost force the
United States could command it probably
would, as Spain is in no condition to re-
cuperate from Knockout blow In the
race for this advantage the chances would
be decidedly in favor of the United States,
despite the fact that the Spanish
torpedo fotilla is now at Porto Rico.
The North Atlantic squadron at Key
West is said to be ready to sail on the
shortest possible notice This squadron,
under the command of Captain Sampson,
consists Of fifteen war ships and six tor
pedo boats. From Key West to Porto Rico
is about fifteen hundred miles. If a por-
ton of SIMPSONS fleet were ordered to
Porto Rico it would probably result
in bringing on a naval engagement in
Rico, where the Spanish fleet is 10 rendez-
vous, and it might be destroyed or cap
tured in that harbor AT the same time
enough ships could be detached from the
North Atlantic squadron to blockade Ha-
vana and capture the Spanish ships in shat
harbor, or perhaps the flying squadron, con-
sisting of five war ships under Commodore
Schley would be ordered on that service.
In this initiative movement, resulting per-
haps in great naval battle, our ships
would have the advantage, among Others
of being well coaled and in perfect seago-
ing condition, while the Spanish fleet
would be nearly out of coal and more or
less battered by a long voyage. They would
be in prime condition to be sunk or cap
tured, as doubtless they would be.
TIE objective point of the Spanish fleet
now at Porto Rico is doubtless Havana
In fact, it will have to go there to coal
whether hostiiities begin or not. Havana is
on the northern coast of Cuba, near the
extreme western end of the island, and the
approach to it from Porto Rico would be
either through what is called the Wind
ward passage, between San Domingo and
Cuba, around the western end of Cuba
The latter is much the preferable route
and would doubtless be the one taken by
the Spanish fleet. In that case, in round
ing the western end of Cuba it would have
to pass through q strait or passage between
Cuba and the coast of Yucatan about nine
ty miles wide. This passage would prob
ably be selected by our naval authorities
as the place to meet the Spanish fleet on
It's way from Porto Rico to Havana. No
more eligible spot could be found for the
sinking or capturing of a Spanish fleet
One thing is certain, if the fleet does not
get into Havana harbor and under the guns
of Moro Castle before hostilitias begin it
never will. AS for the Spanish battle ships
now in the harbor, they should be sunk
as nearly as possible in the spot where
the Maine went down and the bodies of
the Spaniards on board left to rot in the
filthy mud from which our officers and
sailors, murdered by treachery, were re-
moved.
If war comes the first blow will be very
important in a tactical as we'll as moral
point of view, and it should be delivered
with all the force the United States can
put into it, Let the world see and be made
to remember what a. long-enduring and
peace-foving nation can do when it is final
ly forced to strike ina just cause.