New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-21
PRESIDENTS CUBAN POLICY.
DETERMINED TO GIVE AUTONOMY A
FAIR TRIAL.
NO SUDDEN EMERGENCY EXPEcTED-wARsHIPs
HOWEVER, CAN RE IN HAVANA HARBoR
WITHIN SIX HOURS. IF ANY NECEs
SHY FOR THEM ARISES.

WITHIN SIX HOURS IF ANY NECES-
SHY FOR THEM ARISES.
Washington. Jan. 20.-Members Of Congress
who by reason Of their position. should be accu-
rately Informed in regard to the Cuban policy
Of the Administration. say that this policy Is In
substance as follows:
At present It is felt that the same material
conditions prevail that existed when the Presi-
dent sent his last Message to Congress. AT that
time It was said that it was the purpose OF the
President to give proper time for the plan OF
autonomy to be tried The Administration is
said to entertain the same sentiments to-day
Autonomy was put into effect only three weeks
ago so Il Is felt that there has not been ace
quate time TO form any fair judgment as to the
merits OF the plan as a means OF ameliorating
conditions In the island. The recent disturb
aEces in Havana locked upon as anordlns
evidence OF discomfort with autonomy, put
whether this will be sufficient to overcome the
plan itself Is not considered as established with
any degree OF certainty even approximate
ness.
READY TO SAIL ON A CALL FROM LEE
In the mean time. while closely observing the
progress of the autonomous plan, the Admins
tration has adopted every precauton TO guard
against any sudden emergency. such as an up
rising which will threaten American interests
This 10 not expected to occur but II II should
come It Is said that the naval vessels or the
United States can be IN the harbor Of Havana
within six hours OF any crisis which would
imperil American interests In order that there
NAV be no delay should an emergency arise. 1t
is said that Consul General Lee has been en-
powered TO make a direct request to the COM
rnanders of the warships so that the vessels
could start on receipt OF word from him without
1oIo i,CiI tn
through the official routine at Washington
To great extent the intelligent judgment OF
General Lee Is relied upon to determine II an
emergency requires the presence OF American
vessels. This. however, applies solely TO dis
order OF a critical nature, and has no conhec-
ton 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. It Is predcated on the
failure of the plan of autonomy result which,
1t is said. the Administration does not regard as
established by the evidence up TO the present
time.
THE SPANISH MINISTER WORRIED.
The Spanish Minister Senor Dupuy de LONE,
called at the State Department to-day and spent
three-quarters of an hour in conversation with
Judge Day. the Assistant Secretary. There was
no late news from Havana which is taken as
q sign that all IS quiet tHere. but IL 10 pUi4S'SN
that the Minister is seriously disqueted by GER
tain occurrences Of the last few days in this
country.
First. there was the speech yesterday In the
House OF Representative Hit. chairman Of the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, which. while from
the Spanish point Of view, serving the useful
purpose OF consolidating re majority in support
OF the Presidents Cuban policy. yet embodied
certain statements in general terms that are
likely to be msInterpreted In Spain. Then
few changes made recently in the disposition OF
the United States naval vessels are believed to
be subject to the same misinterpretation by the
Spanish The gunbOat Helena was on her way
TO the Asiatic Station. with permission 10 make
"A slow passage and stop frequently on the way
When she arrived at Funchal. Madeira. she was
authorized by cable to stop at Lisbon Portugal
somewhat off her route. for a purpose that can
only be contectured Gas the naval officials refuse
to discuss her movements) as an indication Of
the Departments intention 70 nave the snip
within easy cable communication. and also. per-
hans of easy access TO Minister WoOdfOrd.
The Department had been preparing to send
the gllnhoat Nashville to Europe to relieve the
Raleigh and take out draft OF men 70 the San
Francisco but this plan has been suspended for
go TO Port Royal. s. c.. to Join the monitor
Amnhitrite the at target practice Two yes
sells of the South Atlantic Squadron. the Cincin-
natl and the Castire are coming nOrthward
from the lower to the upper portion or the sta
tion The former is going in dock. probably at
Rio while the Castine will 60 to lsla Grande,
near the same port. There are no changes yet
in contamination for the Asiatic and Pacific
stations and while the movements above noted
Doubtless are to be explained part OF the
reruIar routine Il IS believed they have at
tracted the notice and disapprOval Of the Span
ish authorities.