Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-21
Havana is Wondering What is Going
on in Washington.
ON TEE SURFACE ALL Is SERENE
But There is an Undercurrent of
Doubt and Dread.
M E n ACE IN TIL E ARMY

Special Cablegram to The Evening Star.
HAVANA. Cuba, January 19 via Port
Tampa, Fla, January 20.-Having furnish
ed news for a week, Havana is beginning
to wonder what is happening in the outside
world 1t has been officially Informed that
Madrid deplored the bad effect of the late
rioting, and il has felt the new edicts re-
stricting the press, but of what is going on
in Spain this city is in complete ignorance.
The same is true of the United States.
Press censorship permits it to be known
that President McKinley's message was no,
distributed; that there is a calm in Wash
ington circles respecting Cuban affairs and
that American newspapers occupy them
selves extensively with the subject of Cuba.
But as, to the nature of that calm which
pervades Washington, or the tone of news
paper comment, nothing is permitted to be
published.
a hint is thrown out that Minister De
LONE gives assurances that there will he
no American Intervention if further out
breaks can be prevented, and all classes
are expected privately to ward off that in
tervention by helping to maintain public
order
single line stating that United States
war vessels had sailed for the Dry Tortu-
gas was allowed to be published. One pa
per amplitied this news by giving minute
gee graphical information about Tortugas
and its proximity to Cuban waters. No
outbursr of wrath followed the knowledge
that an American squadron was coming
this way, and the quiet with whicn the
ncws was received leads to the belief that
the bad half hour which everybody has
expected on part of the army, the voIun-
teers and ransigente populace whenever
an American warshp appears in Havana
may not occur. They may also take that
quietly.
Attacks ON United States.
The conservative papers. in an indefinite
manner, renew their attacks on the United
states government, and other organs seek
to curry favor by more malicious insinua-
tions- This newspaper propaganda has not
yet caused revival of anti-American sem
timent- 1 have made pretty extensive in
Quiries and have found no signs of It, Peo-
pie are too much occupied with their own
matters at present to have their attention
diverted abroad. -=t
The subject earliest likely to engage
Washington is the possibility of returning
TO Weylers plan of conducting the war; 1t
Is not OF immediate concern, because no
vigorous military operations against the
insurgents can be undertaken soon but the
question Is likely to cause a squall when
every effort has been made to insure
period Of calm.
Congress and the country may be given
soothing syrup one day, only to be aroused
the following day by this proposition. The
army Is conscious of its strength. 1t has
never approved Blancos mild military pol
Icy. Before another campaign is entered
upon this army is likely to make its posi-
tton clear. Then the United States will be
once more brought face to face with the
question of forcible Intervention. RIanco
must go with the army, or, IL he gees
against 1t. must return to Spain. Mutter-
ing on this point Is becoming audible in
everything Tne officers are having their
own way. The autonomist cabIIet dodges
into a doorway or tips its hat respectfully
when they go by.
Rioters Will Not he Punished.
No fear is felt that the ringleaders in the
riots when the newspaper offices were
sacked will be deprived Of their uniforms
Instead, the editor Of FL Reconcentrado
one of the papers which criticised the
army, Is fugitive seeking to escape a
criminal process which the government as
directed against him at the demand of the
officers. No better comment than this sim
gle act can be made on existing conditions
In Cuba The army and the volunteers are
also on good terms. The volunteers do not
apprehend that any attempt will be made
by the captain general to disarm them but
II 1t should be attempted the army would
De likely to take the part of the volunteers.