Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-01-21
ADMINISTRATIONS eoLncY.
President McKinley's Views as to Cuba
Have Not Changed
(l9y Te>lee1>ann


CSy Telegraph
WASHINGTON, Jan. Gentlemen
IN Congress, who. by reason of their
position. have reason to be accurately
informed on the policy of the adminis-
tIatiOn as to Cuba, say that this policy
is in substance as follows:
At the present moment it is felt that
the same material conditions prevail
that existed when the President sent
his last message to Congress. At that
time 1t was stated that the plan of au-
tcnomy having been lnaug,lrated.ft was
the purpose Of the executive branch TO
give proper time for this plan to be
tried. The administration is said to en-
tertatn the same sentiments today
The autonomous plan was inaugurat ted
only three weeks ago, namely on Jam
uary l, when the autonomous cabinet
took office, so it is felt that there hasnot
been adequate time up to the present
moment to form any fair Judgment as
to the merits of the plan as means
of aneliorating condition on the is
land. The recent occurrences at Ha-
VaRa are looked upon as affording ev-
idence of discomfort with the plan, but
whether this will be sufficient to over
come the plan itself is not considered as
established with any degree of certain
ty, or even approximateness. In the
meantime, while. closely observing the
progress Of the autonomous plan, the
adrniniStra ton has adopted every pre-
caution to guard against any sudden
emergency, such as an uprising that
will threaten American interests This
is not expected to occur, but If 1t should
come. it is said that the naval vessels
of the United States are so disposed as
to be in the harbor of Havana Within
six hours Of any. crisis which would i'm
peril American interests.
in order that there may be no delay
should an emergency arise. it is aid
that Consul General Lee has been en-
powered to make direct request to the
commanders of the 4warships, so 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 the
presence of American vessels. This,
however. applies solely to the question
of tumult OF a critical nature, and has
no connection with the general question
OF Intervention for the purpose of
bringing the war to close. Such a
step is not under immediate considera-
ton, for, as already stated.jt is predica-
ted on the failure of the plan of autono-
my. which result, it is said, the admin
tstration does not regard as established
by the evidence at hand.
The Spanish minister. Senior Dupuy
de LONE, called sat the State Depart
ment today, this being diplomatic day,
and spent three quarters of an hour in
conversation with Judge Day, the as
sistant secreu3ry. There was no late.
news from Havana, which is taken as
4 sign that All is quiet there. But it.
IS believed that the minister is seriously
:.:s7uuieted by certain events of the last
few days in this country. First. there
was tine speech yesterday in the House
Of Representative of Representative
Hit, chairman of the committee on for
elgn affairs which, while from the
Spanish View serving the useful purpose
OF consolidating the majority in sup
port OF the Presidents policy as to Gu
,ba, yet embodied certain statements in
general terms that are likely to be mis-
In Interpreted in n Spain. Then q few
changes mad racentiy in the DISPOSE
ton of The United States naval vessels
are believed to be subject to the same
misin,erpretation by the Spaniards.
While the movements doubtless are to
be explained as part OF The regular
routine orders. 1t DIS believed they have
attracted the notice and disapproval of
,le Spanish authorities.