The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-21
NAVY IN FINE TRIM
Great Naval Expert Predicts
Instant Success.
BLOCKADE VERSUSATTACK
Former Method Pronounced
the One For Havana.

Rome April 2O.-Captain Alfred T. Ma
han, Americas greatest naval authority,
who recently arrived here. makes the
following declaration for the New York
World:
THE American navy is as prepared for
war as any navy in the world and its
officers and men are as efficient as any
similar body on earth.
There is not the slightest reason to
doubt that in case of war the result would
be speedy and thorough, as the Spanish
navy would find to tscost."
HOW NOT TO BEGIN IT.
Washington, April Pot hope" said a
prominent naval officer today who has
given much thought to the subject, that
the plan of operation decided upon by the
department will not include an attack by
our fleet on MORO Castle and the forts
at Cabanas as the first stroke of the cam
paign. If we do this many of our ships
are sure 10 be crippled and sent home for
repairs. Our docking facilities on the
south Atlantic coast are so limited and
that the vessels would either have to be
sent far north to be repaired or else await
their time for docking in the south. The
Spaniards are taking the cue and are dis
playing much military sagacity in the
movement of their ships. They are con-
centrating them in their home ports and,
our fleets are disabled by attempting TO
reduce the Notifications at Havana. they
will steam over there and inhict ire
parable damage on them. 1t seems to me
the proper thing for us to do would be
to attempt to land large force Of men in
Cuba, surround the fortihcations and
Ftarve out the Spaniards. meanwhile
keeping up a blockade or the harbOr and
the coast by our fleet Of ships. l think
with an army of 10000 men supplemented
by the insurgent strength on the island
we would be able to do this. You viii re-
member that during our late war our
fleets suffered considerably in the attack
on the forts in Charleston harbor; where
as, when the soldiers holding them
certained that Sherman was coming with
an army from inland they began to evac-
uate when he was 100 miles away These
matters have been brought TO the atten-
ton of the strategic board. which is now
formulating a plan of campaign"
JUNTA CLAIMS EVERYTHING.
The statement is made on high authority
that Tomas Estrada Palma. the Cuban
representative in this country, in COM
pany with one Of the brigadiers in Co
mez's army has been in consultation with
General Miles today arranging for CO.
operation in the conduct of the campaign
In Cuba against Spain. This is taken as
virtual recognition Of the Cuban repub-
lie It is stated that Palma was summon
ed here for this conference.
TO TAKE TROOPS TO CUBA.
Arrangements are being made by the
war department for the transportation of
troops from southern ports to Cuba and
1t is expected that they will be perfected
tomorrow or soon thereafter. Colonel A.
s KimbaH. chief quartermaster of the
department of the east, opened bids at
New York today for the charter of steam
vessels for this important service. The
government will have no difficulty in Sc
curing a sufficient number Of frst-class
steam vessels of good speed for the trans
portation of the army to be sent to Cuba
Among the companies which have Of
Tered vessels to the government for this
are the following:
iron Steamboat company, New York
lCty-Taurus, capa city, 2.Ooo passengers;
Cetus. $500; Perseus. 1900; Pegasus. 1900.
Plant system, at Tampa-Mascotte,
Loo: olivette. 1000; Florida, 1000
Cape May and Delaware Bay Naviga-
ton company, at iladelphla-Republic,
$500.
New York and Texas Steamship com
pany. New York-Colorado. 1,0Oo; Leona
1000; Alma, 1000; Tampasus. 1000
Southern Pacific company New York
Arkansas. 1000; Gussie, 1000; Morgan, LOCO; .
Whitney 1000 !
The probabilities are that arrangements 1
will he made whereby the government will /
secure most II not all Of the vessels. IN (
addition 70 several others whose names /
are withheld for the present. Il is ex-
planned by Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn /
that the department has deemed It ad- /
visable TO charter rather than purchase /
all the ships il may need for the trans /
portation Of troops and that all the yes
sells engaged will he assembled at the /
various points on the Atlantic seaboard /
and the gulf coast most convenient for /
the embarkation Of troops.
PREPARATIONS AT KEY WEST
Key West Fla. April 2o.-The United |
States torpedo boat destroyer Maydower,
arrived here last night and anchored near
the flagship New York. II is possible that /
the Mayfiower viii be Captain SIMPSONS
flagship. He may use her for this pur-
pose II he finds the expected blockade Of
Cuba necessitates making continual and
rapid rounds of the feet as the May
flower is better suited for such work than
the hrst-clsss cruiser New York The
rumors Of the New York going north and
Of the Dolphin becoming the flagship are
untrue.
Additional precautions have been put in
force here ii insure the safety of the big
ships since the resolutions of congress
we're adopted. All deck lights on board
the New York. Iowa and Indiana, which
lie out OF Key West harbor are now eN-
tinguished before p. m. when the battle
ports are screwed on and the formidable
can hardly be seen from each
others deck, except when occasional
searohlight flashing around reveals their
dark outline Besides this precauuon. tho
1ight patrol has been doubled Last eve
ming both the Cincinnati and the Marble
head. accompanied by two torpedo boats.
went out on picket duty. With these in
creased precautions. the strain Of sus-
pense becomes greater, and all hope Tor
;peedy and definite action.
FROM THE FLYING SQUADRON /
Hearty Cheers Ring Ont as the Land
Rn-