RETAIN MORRO CASTLE.
The United States Government Will Garrison and Hold the Famous Stronghold.
New York, July 20.—In addition to the other bases of supply demanded in the Platt amendment, it is the intention of the administration to permanently retain Morro castle, overlooking the harbor of Havana. This the Washington correspondent of the World says is announced on the highest authority. It is the intention, says the World’s special, to occupy, control and defend the stronghold with United States troops after the government of the island has been handed over to the Cubans. The plan is to equip the fortress with modern artillery, in order that Cuba may be assisted in defending herself against outside interference, and also that the United States may thus have a guarantee against failure on the part of the Cuban government to carry out its pledges and the terms of the treaty now in course of preparation as between this country and Cuba. Under this treaty the retention of the fort is provided for.
The Castle is Crumbling.
At this time Morro castle is crumbling with the weight of years and is of small account as a fortress. Spain was 100 years in building it. The fort was begun in 1667 by Oregon Gaston, governor of Havana, with money from the receipts from Mexico, then owned by Spain. Millions of dollars were squandered upon it, and when it was completed it was acknowledged to be one of the most formidable forts in the world.
But Spain was not satisfied, and $3,000,000 more was expended upon the castle during the governship of Juan Francisco Guymas, who, when the work was finished, said: “Pass it who can.”
Became a Dreaded Prison.
Morro eventually became the most dreaded of all the prisons of Spain. Men of all classes, rich and poor, high-born and humble, have entered its gates never to return to their friends. It was really more as a prison than as a fort that Morro became known throughout the civilized world. Hundreds upon hundreds of men have died the slow death of despair in its subterranean vaults. From it there was no escape unless the magic power of money was at hand to aid the unfortunate.
Some years before the war of this country with Spain Morro castle was restored to its original use as a fort and Cabanas became the principal prison of the island and one of the most wretched in the world.