Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-14

Inc president ulO Hol WISH " dCI PIC,
cipitately, but the emergency had to be
met promptly.
1.-THE navy department was notified. and
Commodore Crowninshield, chief Of the
bureau of navigation, at once sent dis
patches to Admiral Bunce. with the white
squadron, to hold every vessel in prompt
readiness, and to Key West for the ves-
sells at that point to be ready to start for
Havana on signal, but not to land unless
instructed to by General Lee.
1.-THE torpedo notilla has been notified
and can be put into Key West for a dash
on. Havana by Friday"
Norfolk, Va, Jan. 13.-The flagship New
morrow morning. One hundred tons of
coal have been ordered alongside the ship
at sewalls point. Alongside the Monitor
Terror. which is also at the Norfolk navy
yard, day and night shifts are now at
work preparing her for sea.
Ammunition to be used for target prac-
tice while on the winter cruise has been
delivered aboard the warships within the
past few days.
Naval officers decline to discuss the situ-
alton, but point out the fact that the or
ders for the squadron to make its winter
cruise in the Gulf have not been revoked.
Key West, Fla. Jan. 13-The warships
have taken on coal and provisions to-day,
and are being held in readiness to proceed
to sea should occasion require. The acci-
dent which happened on board the Marble
head yesterday. when four men were in
jured, is being Investigated. The Marble
head will proceed to Navassa island upon
the arrival Ut the Detroit from Hayti.
Washington, Jan. 13.-United States Con-
sui General Lee has reported to the state
department from Havana the facts con-
nected with the rioting there yesterday.
While the state department ofilcials do not
divulge the text Of the dispatch, It is said
that 1t corroborates generally the news
paper reports on the subject. According to
General Lees report, the disturbance had
been quelled for the time being. but he was
moment.
Nothing has been heard from the consul
general to-day, SO It IL assumed at the
state department that the situation re-
mains unchanged In Havana. General Lee
did not ask to have a warship sent to
Hanava and in the opinion Of the state
department officials that is sufficient rea-
son for the assumption that there is no oc-
casion for sending one. The officials are
evidently not apprehensive Of any trouble
in the immediate future that will require
the forcible Intervention Of our govern
ment. The disquieting feature Of the situ-
alton is the horrible condition Of the poor
in Cuba.
Private information has been sent to the
state department and members Of the for
eign affairs committee in congress going to
show that powerful influences are at work
to secure independence for Cuba. Spain
has issued bonds to the gross amount Of
about 500. 900. 900 based specifically upon the
resources and revenues of Cuba. These
bonds are held in large part in Great Brit
ain and France.
Some of the largest syndicates in those
countries. 1t is said, have at last become
convinced that these bonds are about to
become valueless unless the United States
in some way guarantees their payment.
They are convinced that the island Is en-
tirely devastated. and that 1t can be re-
stored only by the influence Of strong
commercial power.
Representations have already been made
to this country by certain strong CONNER
cial interests to secure active Intervention.
If this were done the United States would
become morally responsible for the pay
nient Of the Cuban loan. This could be
done by q protectorate similar to that Of
England in Egypt. or by a direct control Of
the Cuban custom houses. The insurgent
leaders have all along intimated that they
would not object to action on the part Of
the United States which would secure their
independence, no matter how costly It
might be from q financial point of view.
They realize that the very measures neces-
sary to the raising of money to pay this
loan would give the island a start CONNER
cially such as 1t could not hope to attain by
itself.
Under present conditions President Nc
Kinley could not intervene except as an
act of hostility to Spain, for the Spaniards
have acceded to every demand made by
this government almost before 1t was pre-
sented. 1t has been intimated. however.
that II the United States would send its war.
ships to Havana, stop the war. and agree
to pay the $4oo. 900. 900 of the Cuban loan.
both France and Great Britain would sus-
tain this country, and therefore the Sa-
gasta government could appeal to the peo-
pie of Spain and show that the loss OF
Cuba had come about by the influence Of
France and Great Britain rather than by
the dictation of the hated Yankees. 1t Is
undoubtedly q fact that the bondholders
are moving to put this country in q posi-
tion where 1t Will guarantee payment. and
II II does this the war In Cuba will speed
fly end.
New York. Jan. 13.-The rioting In Ha-
vana and the wrecking Of several Liberal
newspaper Offices by army officers and Con-