The record-union., 1898-01-21
Seriously Disquieted by Events Of
the Past Few Days.
Speeches in the House and Movements Of
U. S. Warships the Cause,
Calls at the State Department and
Spends Three-Quarters of an
Hour in Conversation With the
Assistant Secretary-Po1icy Of
the Administration in Regard
to Cuban Affairs.

7
to Cuban Affairs.
| WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.-The Span
ish Minister, Senior Dupuy de Lone,
called al the State Department to-day
it being Diplomatic Day. and spent
three-quarters of an hour in conversa-
ton with the Assistant Secretary
There was no late news from Havana
which is taken as a sign that all is
quiet there, but it is believed that the
Minister is seriously disquieted by Ger
tain events of the last few days In
this country.
First, there was the speech yester-
day in the House of Representatives
Hit, Chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, which, while from the
Spanish view. serving the useful pur-
pose of consolidating the majority in
support Of the Presidents policy as to
Cuba, yet embodied certain statements
in general terms that are likely to be
misinterpreted in Spain. Then, the
movements of a few United States ma
val vessels are believed to be subject
to the same miSinterpretation by the
Spanish.
The gunboat Helena was on her way
to the Asiatfc station, with permission
to make a slow passage and stop fre-
quently on the way. When she arrived
at F'unehal, Madeira, she was author
lied by cable to stop at Lisbon, Portu-
gal, somewhat off her route, for pur-
pose that can only be conjectured, in
asmuch as the naval officials refuse to
Il = IN,
dication of the departments intention
to have the ship within easy cable
communication, also perhaps of easy
access to Minister Woodford.
The department had been preparing
to send the gunboat Nashville to Eu-
rope to relieve the Raleigh and to take
out a draft of men to the San Fran
cisco, but this plan has been suspended
for a time, and the gunboat is now
under orders to go to Port Royal, S. c.,
to join the monitor Amphitrite there at
target practice. Two vessels of the
South Atlantic squadron, the Cincin-
natl and the Castine, are coming north
ward from the lower to the upper por-
ton of the station. The former is 60
ing in dock, probably at Rio, while the
Castine comes to Isla Grande, near the
SAINT port.
There are no changes yet in contem-
plation for the Asiatic and Pacific sta
tions, and while the movements above
noted doubtless are to be explained as
a part Of the regular routine orders, it
is believed they have attracted the no.
tice and disapproval of the Spanish au-
thorities.
THIS GOVERNMENTS POLICY.
WASHINGTON, Jan. O.-Gentlemen
in Congress who, by reason of their po-
sition, have reason to be accurately in
formed Of the policy of the Administra-
ton 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 it was stated that the plan of au-
tonomy having been inaugurated, it was
the purpose of the executive branch to
give proper time for the plan to be tried.
The Administration is said to enter
tain the same sentiments to-day.
The autonomous plan was inaugurated
only three weeks ago, namely, on Janu-
ary 1st, when the autonomous Cabinet
took office, SO that it is felt that there
has not been adequate time up to the
present moment to form any fair judg-
ment as to the merits of the plan as a
means of ameliorating conditions on the
island. The recent occurrences at Ha-
vana are looked upon as affording evi-
dence of discomfort with this plan. but
whether this will be sufficient to over
come the plan itself is not looked upon
as established with any degree of GER
tainty. or even approximateness.
In the meantime, while closely observ-
ing the progress of the autonomous plan,
the Administration has adopted every
precaution to guard against any sud-
den emergency. such as an uprising that
will threaten American interests This
is not expected to occur, but if 1t should
come 1t 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 imperil
American interests. In order that they
may be no delay, should an emergency
arise, it is said that Consul l-General Lee
has been empowered to make direct re-
quest to the commanders of the war
ships. so that the vessels could start on
receipt of word from him, without the
delays incident to having his request
pass through the official routine at
Washington.
To great extent the intelligent judg-
ment of General Lee is relied upon to
determining if any emergency requires
the presence of American vessels This,
however, applies solely to the question
of tumult of critical nature, and has
no connection With the general ques-
ton of Intervention for the purpose of
bringing the war to a close. Such step
is not under immediate consideration.
for. as already stated, it is predicted on
the failure of the plan of autonomy,
which result, it is said the Administra-
ton does not regard as established by
the evidence at hand up to the present
time.
HAWAIIAN TREATY.