New-York tribune., 1901-07-20
TO HOLD FORTS IN CUBA.
UNITED STATES TO OCCUPY ALL PRIN-
CIPAL DEFENCES
MoRRO CASTLE AMONG THEM, BUT CONsID-
Erred OF LITTLE VALUE.
FRY rELEGRApH TO THE TRIBUNE. !

Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington July 19-While official an
nouncement has been made of the fact, 1t is
nevertheless known that essential part of the
protection the United States is pledged to give
Cuba by the Platt law is the occupation by this
country of the principal sea defences of the ISL
and that were left there by Spain. 1t is true
that this is not distinctly nominated in the Platt
amendment. which now is part of the organic
law of Cuba but the obligation of this country
to man and manage the harbor fortihcations of
the island Is made incumbent. according TO the
view of the leaders of Cuban legislation as well
the War Department officials by the general
guarantee of protection vouchsafed by the Platt
law. Very little has been said on this phase or
the question heretofore. because it was feared
that it would give additional excuse for discus
sion and consequent delay at Havana of COM
pance the part of the Constitutional Con-
vention with the Platt law. which was made
condition precedent to the withdrawal of Ameri-
can sovereignty and the complete surrender OF
the island TO the control of the Cubans.
Now that the Platt amendment has been
adopted, however. officials here, Including mem
bers OF the Cabinet and of Congress, freely as
sert the intention of the United States to oc-
cupy all the principal sea defences of the island
This, Of course. means that the forts at Havana,
Clenfuegos, Santiago and Matanzas will fly the
american nag and be mounted WIN
guns. even after the Cuban Republic is an ac-
complished fact and its independent sovereignty
is recognized by the nations of the world. This
situation would be somewhat anomalous and in
corgruous II it were not for the fact that by
the terms of the Platt law the United States is
entitled to five coaling naval stations on the
mainland of Cuba. and the further well known
fact that the Cuban Republic intends to main
tain neither an army nor a navy. 1t may be that
the clause in the Platt law giving to the United
States the privilege of esta blishing five naval
stations the island, will be considered as
affording all the military protection needed by
Cuba In that event, the navy would be COM
PEELED to assume all the responsibility for the
islands defence. and accordingly the fortiica-
tions would be manned by United States sailors
and marines, and naval guns would have to take
the places Of the fine army batteries which
are now stationed at Havana.
HAVANA FORTS NOW OCCUPIED.
Ever since the United States took possession
of Cuba, what the old I'd Regiment of ar
tlery has been occupying the numerous forts
that guard Havana Bay. The points there
cupied at present by American artillery
Morro Castle. Cabanas. Santa Clara. Pirotecna
Militar. and Batteries Nos. g. and 3. Since
the abolition by the last Congress of the artil-
Iery reginental organizations and their divisions
into field and coast artillery the detachnents
occupying the forts designated the I'd Field
Esspssersr and the 11th.- 18th, 10Th, Goth. 21st.
22d. 2Sd and 9th Coast Artillery companies. II
is considered doubtful whether the guns carried
10 Havana by this artillery organization viii
ever be removed Indeed, IL Is intimated from
high sources both In Washington and Havana
that one OF the first acts of the Cuban Govern
ment will be formally TO request the United
States to man and equip such fortlfcations on
the island may be considered advisable for
the safeguarding OF the interests of both coun-
tries. II this done II would. OF course, make
necessary the establishment OF permanent army
posts the island. and would not in any way
naval stations provided for by the Platt amend
ment. In other words. under this arrangement
both the army and navy OF the United States
would perform duty in Cuba by the willing con-
sent OF the Cuban Government.
AS has been frequently said by The Tribune,
the trainers OF the Platt law had this In view
all the time and their idea is being ma
tured into a policy by the administration
or 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 ia
old fort is shell, which could be
shattered and destroyed by shot from a
modern naval gun we'll delivered. But immedi-
ately back OF the MORO is the powerful and
modern fort of Cahanas and just across the
narrow entrance to the bay from the Morro is
the fort known Punta Gorda. This is quite
strong and well equipped with the modern
appliances OF coast defences as Cabanas itself.
and undoubtedly will be of the chief points
In the chain of defences surrounding Havana
that will be occupied by the United States
-s-