New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-17
WILL AMERICA INTERVENE?
THE QUESTION COMING TO A HEAD IN
HAVANA.
POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF LAST WEEKS
RIors-THE ARMY DOMINANT FORCE
NO AMERICANS IN DANGER YET.

RIoTs-THE ARMY A DOMINANT FORCE
no AMERICANS IN DANGER YET.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Havana. Jan. 16 via Port Tampa. Fla.-Span-
ish power in Cuba now rests on its ability to
maintain order In Havana. Until the Govern
ment shows itself master Of the city, no other
question be considered Military operations
against the insurgents are forgotten. Progress
with autonomy is a fgment
The turmoil ended for the present.
The quiet OF armed truce prevails. 1t is
possible to review the events Of the last few
days and to analyze their significance. The pres
ence Of five thousand or six thousand regular
troops gives promise that the calm will last long
enough for a review OF the prospects
a single week has given Havana more vivid
idea OF what is than all the events of three
years OF insurrection. The roting has not been
one OF destruction or bloodshed. Its animating
purpose was political That may account for
the lack of bloody collisions between the troops
and the rioters. dozen cavalry onslaughts'
frequent infantry attacks and countless bayonet
charges on the mob without anybody peing
kied-this is little short OF marvellous; but IL
went on in the streets of Havana for three days
and nights. 1t could not go on indefinitely with
out blOodshed.
Ine tact ana fOrDearancc WIN NHl'H 'H' ""
thorities carried out their orders undoubtedly
have helped TO bring the Government tenn
porarily through the crisis When the mob was
crying death to Blanco and to autonomy, self
restrain: was necessary. The cries for Weyler
were the most pronounced Of ali. They showed
that he has many partisans in the city who are
determined to proclaim themselves.
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST AN OUTBREAK.
n hnx-
precautions against n hostile demonstration or
the intransigeants. They did not expect that 1T
would be encouraged and precipitated by officers
acting in unison and under preconcerted plans.
Until these officers can be properly disciplined
respect for the Government cannot be restored,
and General Banco does not seem powerful
enough to cashier them Everybody fears the
army. Some Of the people who suffered py 'he
riot endeavor TO excuse 1t. The officers were
ostensibly avengng reflections made Dy 'he
autonomist newspapers on the army But III
their destruction Of La Discussion they struck
a blow at autonomy as we'll as at an autonofhiSe
newspaper. The rioters followed up the plow
by their repeated attempts TO sack the once Ui
Eel Diario" a moe moderate journal. whlch
supports the Govern mem.
General Banco has tried to assure the "a,
gasta Ministry and the people or the Uhlteu
States that the riots have no politlcal ssnln.
canoe II would be we'll for the Government II
this so. but 1t is not So Inc uitra-loya'
Spaniards are taking off their hats to the army
The people who were rash enough TO crltlclse
its officers Fastening to make apologies
The army is hereafter domlrant poilrcal
force I'm Cuba Its officers may start no more
riots but the spirit which pervades II VIII IN
nuence other classes, and that spirit Is one OF
hostility 70 autonomy. The frmness with whicn
the iron hand Of military repression is stretched
over the city may keep down further outbreaks
though the tension VIII not loosen LOT io"s
time to come. ,.
the nolitical policy of the Government have
every reason to join with it in maintaining or
der They can afford to be satisfied with what
has already been done The volunteers are
certain to continue in a state Of ferment, but
they are not likely TO break out in open rebel
lion They seem to be fixing their minds on Sc
curing General BlanC0's recall. The demon
strations they make likely 10 be for effect IN
Spain.
THE QUESTION OF INTERVENTION.
With that end in view the disturbances that
have occurred are bringing the question of
American intervention to head. It's desirable
ity has been privately suggested to Consul
General Lee by Spanish merchants. but they are
slow to commi: themselves TO paper or TO take
formal action. General Lees advices TO the
State Department are conservative, but set forth
the present situation clearly ii" does not rec
ou,mcnd immediate intervention. yet he does not
take a hopeful view of the ability Of the Spanish
authorities to restore public order permanently
The Government newspapers deplore the riot
ing and say that Il has done more for insurrec-
tiou than Gomez or CdliXto Garcia could DO.
They also say that II Wi! nave had erect III
the United states. The question OF sending war
ship. will have to be determined definitely soon
No American demonstration has yet occurred.
The trouble at presen, Is between spanish laC-
lions and apparently their minds are fully oc-
curied with destroying autonomy. II further
rioting should break out II Is possible that d
roeitn9 vyould be aroused against Americans
which would be hard TO restrain No one Is IN
any personal danger now.