The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-21
GIVING SPAIN A CHANGE
Autonomy in Cub0 Hos MOI Hid d.
Fair TTiQ|.
GREAT CONFIDENCE REpOSED IN GEN. LEE
He Is Authorized 10 Order WarshiDs
TO lsnvnnm in tho Event orDixturb-
hnccs threatening American
Lives or Propcrfy-Intcrvcnt
Not Contemplated at Prcscut.
|EAT CONFIDENCE REpOSED IN GEN. LEE
Wa shington, Jan. 20. 1898

| '1%'iiHS Aot, jill. ~. 1893.
Gentlemen In Congress, who by reason
OF their position have reason to be ac-
curately Informed on the policy of the
administration as TO Cuba, say that this
policy is in substance as follows:
AT the present moment II is felt tha t
the same material conditions prevail
mat existed when the President sent
his last message TO Congress. At that
time 1t was stated that the plan of
autonomy having been inaugurated 1t
was the purpose of the executive branch
to give proper time for this plan to bo
tried. The administration is said to
entertain the same sentiments to-dav.
Inc autonomous plan was inaugurn ted
only three weeks ago, namely on Ian
ua;y |, when the autonomous cabinet
| TOOK Office, so that it is felt that there
mas not been adequate time up 10 the
present moment to form any fair judg-
ment as to the merits of the plan as n
means of ameliorating conditions on the
island.
The recent occurrences at Havana are
looked upon as affording evidence of
discomfort with the plan, but whether
this will be sufficient to overcome the
plan itself is not considered as estab-
lished with any degree of certainty, or
even approXmatenesS
In the meantime, while closely observ-
ing the progress of the autonomous
plan, the administration has adopted
every precaution to guard against any
sudden emergency, such as an uprising
that Will threaten American interess is
Ihis Is not expected to occur, but if II
should come, it is said that the naval
vessels of the United States are so dis
posed as to be in the harbor of Havana
within six hours of any crisis which
would imperil American interests.
In order that there may be no delay
should an emergency arise it is said
that Consul-General Lee has been en-
powered TO make direct reques. to the
commanders of the warships 30 that the
vessels could start on receipt Of word
from him. without the delays incident
TO having his requests pass through the
official routine at Washington To a
great extent the Intelligent judgment of
General Lee is relied upon as TO deter
mining If an emergency requires tho
presence of American vessels. This,
however. applies solely to the ques ton
Of tumult of critical nature, and has
no connection with the general Gucstio
of intervention for the purpose of
bringing the war to 4 close. Such n
step is not under immediate considera-
ton. for, as already stated, 1t is pre-
d!citcd on the failure of the plan of au-
tonomy which result, it is said. the
administration does not regard as cs-
tabished by the evidence at hand.
The Spanish minister, Senor Dupuy
de Dome, called Al the State Depart
ment to-day, this being diplomatic day,
ana spent three-quarters of an hour in
conversation with Judge Day, the as
sistant Secretary. There was no late
news from Havana. which is taken as a
sign that all is quiet there. But it il
believed that the minister is seriously
d!sqnicted by certain events of the last
few days In this country.