THE CUBAN INVASION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 135, 9 June 1898, Page 9

THE CUBAN INVASION.

• The invasion of Cuba, for which troops have been concentrating for ten days past, is expected to begin when the Cape Verde fleet has been cornered or disposed of. While nothing is known by the public as to the actual plan of campaign, the naval attacks on Matanzas and Cardenas indicate that a landing is to be made there and those towns used as naval and military bases for operations against Havana.'

Humours continue that Havana Is

be previously bombarded from the ocean side and (here is, undoubtedly, a strong Congressional and popular pressure on the Administration to have. Admiral Sampson's guns turned on 151 Mono and its supporting batteries, l'.nt the question of tho Cape Verde fleet still intervenes. Large forts well manned can play havoc with the strongest ships and that is the reason why, in modern wars, naval assaults are rarely made upon heavily fortified points. The task of reducing them is turned over to the army. Thus tho French did not attempt to bombard Herman seaports in IS7O, despite their immense naval superiority, nor did Admiral Montt, -in the Chilean civil war. dare attack Valparaiso from the oiling. Chinese forts were pretty severely let alone in 3594-95 by the Japanese fleet; the only time an engagement, between them was fought. being fruitful in harsh experience for the .Japanese. Undoubtedly if Admiral Sampson should run in close to Havana and draw fire several of bis ships -would'be disabled and perhaps some of fhr-m sunk. He would be willing enough to take this risk were it not that his vessels may be at any time attacked by the Cape Verde fleet, for which he must be prepared. Once sink, capture or disperse that fleet, a task for which Commodore Schley's squadron was collected, and Sampson, providing Havana is not yet captured, will be expected to turn himself loose. That may be a troublesome day for him, but it will be an awful one for Blanco, considering the way in which American guns are handled.