Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-28
TINE TO STRIKE.

Despite the efforts to keep secret what
took place in the war council held at
the White House Thursday. and not
withstandiusg the evident attempts of
some of those who participated TO throw
the newspapers off the track, several of
the Washington correspondents claim to
have gotten "inside information" These,
as well as correspondents that make no
such claim, agree that the conference
was the most important that has been
held since war was declared.
The Horald's Washington special, which
goes more into detail than any other
based on reliable tips" asserts that in
the conference it was decided that the
time had arrived for striking a crushing
blow to Spanish rule in Cuba. and that
Habapa is to be taken by combined
land and sea attack. For many reasons,
says the special, chief among them be-
ing the unhealthfulness of Cuba at this
season of the year. it was determined
that the stroke should be delivered with
all the power of which the army and
the navy are capable; and while to carry
out the present plans a few days more
delay at the beginning will be necessary
the campaign will be shortened In the
end. There win, the Herald's special tells
us further, be no sending down of
small body OF regulars as an advance
guard to capture under the fleets gGns,
a base Of supplies, as had at first been
contemplated. The entire invading army
Is 90 be moved forward at once; soldiers
transports can take them, and it is pro-
bable that not less than 1000 men will
be landed on the island. Moreover, the
purpose IS. we are assured 10 land the
men as near Habana as possible The
other correspondents referred to as claim
ing to have inside information confirm
these statements in general way, aud
the Washington Post practically confirms
them in terms.
Although, as a rule, it is pretty safe
TO discount plans of campaignaand de
clsions of war conferences that may leak
out In this instance there seems 20 be
pretty strong outside circumstantial evil
dence TO support the conclusion that the
favored correspondents are not far
wrong. If Sehley has Cervera bottled up
in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba--and
there does not appear TO be much doubt
on that point-Sampson is free to CO.
operate with an army OF invasion. More
over. If late news regarding the move
nents of SIMPSONS squadron is correct,
jhe is. II would seem, putting his ships
in position 20 aid in carrying out exactly
what IS said TO be the Washington plan
OF campaign.
There Is OF course and will continue
to be. a diversity of opinion among the
general public as 10 the ACCESSIBILITY OF
sending troops TO Cuba during the sickly
season. But no doubt, the authorities
have weighed that matter well. At any
rate, theirs Is the responsibility. what
with our sanitary regulations and appll-
ances our advanced bospita. service. and
the care WIN which our n,eu win be
looked after. il may possibly be the het-
ter policy TO push the issue TO conclu-
sion now. Certainly. If we eliminate from
The question the prospect OF disease
among the troops-and that may be.
though We fear ii is not. exaggerated
al. % our interests demand that we end
the war as soon az possible. The sooner
II Is over the sooner We will settle down
20 aorinal business conditions. and the
sooner win be ended the snAiely and the
suffering OF thousands who have friends
aud relatives IA tia field.
An"ther consideration is that unless
We invade Cuba at a very early date and
oriv" ths Spaniards from the island. there
will be no starving reconcentrados left
fners 10 scecor. News received through
refugee cuoans @ho have Just reached
Ns~ York on the British steamer
Arecsna picture horrible condition OF
aiiaifa among the poorer classes on The
island. Everywhere starvation and Death