New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-16
OMINOUS CALM IN HAVANA.
A PERIOD OF QUIET THAT MAY PRECEDE
ANOTHER STORM.
THE CITY FILLED WITH TROOPS AND ARTILLERY
BITTER HATRED SHOWN FOR BLANCo AND
THE POLICY OF AUToNoMY-DlsAF-
FICTION IN THE ARMY-THREE
DAYS OF RIOTING.
[pY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l


Havana Jan. II (via Key West. Fla).-Af-
ter three days OF rioting a semblance OF pupHc
order has been restored III Havana. The regular
troops brought in from the country are said to
number between five thousand and six thou
sand These reinforce the orden publco or To-
cal police. ana The guardia civil. or rural police.
General Arolas the Military Governor of Ha-
vana Province, IS IN command. Artillery has
been planted in positions commanding the Par
ace and other points open to attack by the
mob The force seems large enough and the
preparations complete enough to put down any
uprising that might be attempted A period of
comparative quiet Is. therefore. probable
Whatever further demonstrations Of hostility to
the Government and TO autonomy the volunteers
intend to make Will probably not be In the
nature OF revolt.
WEYLER PREFERRED TO BLANCO.
The events OF the last three days have been
exciting, but The rioters were not bent on de-
structon or bloodshe.i. That may account for
the ease with which they have been handled by
the troops They were allowed their own way IN
crying out against Blanco and in favor OF Wey-
Ter. They cred. Death to autonomy as much
as they pleased Weylor developed a greater
popularity than when he was in Havana The
intransigentes evidently want him back.
The part the army plays in the affair Is the
worst portent for the Government. The officers
who sacked the offices OF the Autonomist news
papers on Wednesday morning. and thereby
started the rioting. have the sympathy OF their
associates La Discusion.' which was the
main object OF their wrath, has NOT been per
mitted by the Government To resume pubnca-
ton instead. Weyler's press censorship DEGREES
have been revived Everybody is cautioned
against criticising thl army. win ms con-
cession To their demands. the officers may no"
help the authorities to maintain order.
WithOu; a direCt demonstration on the sub
ject they have made At known that the army Is
not in sympathy with the policy OF Autonomy
The volunteers and the intransigente Spanish
population took the cue quickly That is the
secret Of the three DAYS riotins in Havana.
THE ARMY RIPE FOR REVOLT.
The condition Of the Government can be
Judged from the fact that II does not dare court
martial the officers who I'D the first riot. Calvo
and Fuentes. the ringlcadeIs. are merely under
nominal arrest at their homes They cann)i be
cOurt-nla rtiallcd without nifty officers VINO wee
joined with them being court-martidled. That
means revolution IN the amy III cuba, ana
possibly in the army in SPAN.
Regarding the features Of the rioting, the
mos, dangerous time for the Government was
on Wednesday night. After sacking newspaper
offices in the daytime. at night the riots centred
in two places. one was the Central Park, the
other the ncighbOrhood Of the Palace. The au-
thortics did not have forces enough fully TO
protect both points. 4 threatening demonstra-
ton occurred at night when several hundred
rioters succeeded in massing themselves around
the Palace, i'm which were Blanco and mem
bers Of the AutonOmist Cabinet. Cries Of
Down with Elanco" Death To BlaLco.
Long live Weyler" Death 10 Autonomy.
were shouted and re-echocd.
A battalion Of volunteers inside the Palace
was supposed TO be i'm sympathy with the riot
crs on the outside and IFS officers had grcat
difficulty in preventing hostile movement
In time the mob was dispersed and troops
closed al approaches To- the Palaco Tho crowd
however rOamcd at Will through the streets. re-
peatng their cries against Blanco and against
Autonomy.
NO ANTI AMERICAN DEMONSTRATION
At no time has there been an anti-American
demonstration. No anti American sentiment has
been developed The factions were intent on
other objects. II is not certain however. that no
anti.American feeling viii develop.
The intransigente press and the Army officers
show irritation over the suggestion that war
ships should be sent The first day Of riotng
Consul General Lee sent a message to General
BlancO saying that al the first instance OF de-
struction of property or loss Of life he would
call the Warships from Key Wcs; General
Blanco resented this apparently for the Palace
replied that Spain would be able TO maintain
order without outside help. This incident was
twisted by the local press 50 as 10 represent
General Lee as making an offer which was re-
fused 1t has no. added 10 the good feeling eX-
listing between the Consulate and the Palace.