The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-07-31
HOLDING FAST TO CUBA.
Another Scheme of the Admins
tration Uncovered.

Washington, July 24.-That the Gu
bans were well advised in seeking to
pin the Mckinley administration down
to an Interpretation Of the Platt
amendment is now evident from the
announced determination of the gov
ernment to occupy all the defenses of
Cuba, whether these are included in
the five coaling stations called for by
the Platt amendment or not. Further,
it is freely acknowledged that this
has been intended all the time though
nothing was said about it lest it
should give additional cause for dis
cussion and consequent delay at Ha-
yana of the adoption by the Constitu-
tienal Convention of the Platt law,
which was made condition precedent
to the withdrawal Of American sover-
eighty and the surrender Of the island
to the nominal control of the Cubans.
Now that the Platt amendment has
been adopted, however. officials here,
including members of the Cabinet and
of Congress, freely assert the intention
of the United States to occupy all the
principal sea defences of the island.
This, Of course, means that the forts
at Havana, Cienfuegos, Santiago and
Mantanzas will fly the American flag
and be mounted with guns: even after
the Cuban Republic is an accomplish
ed fact and its Independent sovereign
ty is sought to be recognized by the
nations of thew orld.
This radical action is sought to be
justified by the general protection re-
quired by the Platt amendment to be
given to Cuba, the excuse being made
that the island government will proba-
bly, not mainatin an army or navy and
that if it does, they will both necessa-
rily be too weak to be of any special
service in case of war. Indeed it is es-
tinated from high sources both in
Washington and Havana that the Gu
ban Government will be induced to re-
quest the United States to man and
equip such Notifications on the island
as may be considered advisable for the
safeguarding of the interests Of both
countries. If this were done it would,
of course, make necessary the estab-
lishment of permanent army posts, and
would not in any way interfere with
the establishment of the five naval sta
tions provided for by the Platg amend
meat. In other words, under this ar
rangement both the army and navy
of the United States would perform
duty in Cuba by the willing consent
of the Cuban Government.
E;nt if Cuba cannot be bulldozed into
making such a request, the clause in
the Platt law giving to the United
States the privilege of establishing five
naval stations on the island, will be
considered as affording all the military
protection needed by Cuba. In that
event, the navy will assume all the re-
sponsibility for the islands defense.
and accordingly the fortifcations will
be manned by United States sailors and
marines, and naval guns will take the
places Of the fine army battreies which
are now stationed at Havana.
Ever since the United States took
possession of Cuba, what was the old
I'd Regiment of artillery has been oc-
cupving the numerous forts that guard
Havana Bay. The points there occu-
pied at present by American artillery
are Moro Castle, Cabanas, Santa
Clara, Pirotecnia Militar, and Bat
teries Nos. 3, and 5. Since the ab-
olition by the last Congress of the ar
tillery regimental organizations and
their divisions into field and coast ar
tillery the detachments occupying the
forts designated are the Sd Field Bat
tery, and the 18th. 18th. 18th, Goth,
21st, 22d. 23d and 24th Coast Artillery
companies.
OF the Notifications now occupied
and which will continue to be occupied
by the United States, Moro Castle,
at Havana, is the least valuable, in
| the opinion of experts. That famous
| old fort is mere shell, which could
be shattered and destroyed by one shot
from modern naval gun well deliver
ed. But Immediately back of the
Moro is the powerful and modern fort
of Cabanas, and just across the narrow
entrance to the bay from the Moro is
the fort known as Punta Cora. This
is quite as strong and we'll equipped
with the modern appliances of coast
defences as Cabanas itself, and un-
doubtedly will be one of the chief
points in the chain of defences sur
rounding Havana that will be occu-
| pied by the United States.
Of course, with ali her defenses in
the hands of the United States, and
with the other limitations imposed on
her, Cuban independence will be a
farce, which viii probably not be re-
cognized by any of the nations of the
| world.
Almost a Panic in Grain Market.