The San Francisco call., 1898-01-17
THREATENED
 CRISIS IN
 CUBA OVER Peace Now Seems to Prevail at
 Havana. Diplomats Agree That the Worst Is Certainly
 Passed. Expect Good Results From the Recent RiOtous Pro-
 ceedingS. SQUADRON SAILS SOUTH. Fleet Of warships VIII Be Near in Case the Interests Of Americans Are Threatened.
Expect Good Results From the Recent RiOtOus Pro-
 ceedings.
SQUADRON SAILS SOUTH.
Fleet of warships Win Be Near in Case the Interests Of Americans
 Are Threatened
Special Dispatch to The Call.

NEW YORK. Jan. 16.-The Heralds Washington correspondent telegraphs: The threatened crisis in the Cuban situation has passed, at least for the time being, according to the latest in formation received from General Lee. I have talked today with Secretary Sherman, Assistant Secretary of State Day. Senator Davis, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, leading members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and with Minister de Lome They all agree that the worst is over. Minister de Lome is as optimis- tic as ever as to the ultimate success of autonomy. One thing is certain as a result of my conversation with them. There is no immediate intention of in tervention on the part of the United States. and future action of the au- thorities here will depend solely upon the developments in the island within the next two months.
 The HeraIds special cable from Mad rid, published this morning, showing that the recent rioting in Havana was the result of a great conservative plot against the Sagasta ministry of Spain, attracted wide attention in diplimatic and official circles here. The dispatch was read with great interest, particu- larly in the State Department, as it seemed to confirm. similar brief advice from Consul General Lee in Cuba, re- ceived when the disturbances began in Havana. It was in consequence of the conclusions which General Lee drew from the riots that the authorities made such prompt preparations for sending a warship to Havana. They feared that if the plot should succeed and Captain-General BlanCO should be overthrown anarchy would prevail. The pacific character of the news from Ha- vana, however, during the past few days has somewhat eased their minds on this score.
 In the opinion of Minister de Lome. the riots have improved rather than aggravated the situation. He thinks they have cleared the atmosphere and that General BlancO will now be able to vigorously push his plans for autoE- 1 omy without any further setback. He considers the riots solely Ihe result Of a radical change of policy which took place upon the arrival of General BIanco in Havana. The men con- cerned in it were those deprived of of l fee ard other patronage which they had under the old regime. He dep- | recates the talk about the failure If ] autOnCniy and thinks it unfair that ! anybody should reach this concession l fourteen days after the reforms were ] formally inaugurated. He expects much from Senor Govin, Minister of l the Interior, who has Just arrived in l Havana.
 There is no probability of action on l the Cuban question in either house of ] Congress during the present week. l The President has not yet prepared reply to Senator Cannon's resolution. asking what preparations had been made for the protection of American citizens in Cuba. and it is probable ] that he will consider that it is not com patible with public interest to give the ! Senate the information at this time.
 According to a telegram received this morning by Captain A. $. Crowin- | shield, chief of the Bureau of Naviga- ton. from Rear Admiral Sicard, the ] North Atlantic squadron left Hampton Roads to-day for the Gulf of Florida. 1 The squadron is the strongest that has been in southern waters since the close of the Civil War. It comprises the battle-ships Iowa, Indiana and Massa chusetts, secondclass battle-ship Texas and armored cruiser New York. The squadron is expected to reach Dry ] Tortugas on Saturday.
 WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-Grave ap- nrehensions were felt by both the off, cials of the State Department and those | c,f the Spanish Legation that disturb ances of a more or less serious charac- ter might occur in Havana to-day. ow- ipg to the fact that many persons oth- erwise occupied during the week would be comparatively free on this day to follow their own inclinations Advices received by Minister de LCme to-day, followed by others at a later hour in dicate. however that Havana was per 1 fectly tranquil. After noon the Minis fcrNg ~rla tl, information that at Il o'clock this morning there had not only been no riotinR. but that there were not even sporadic disturbances of any. kind. As | a precautionary measure. General Rlanco had carefully provided against any trouble, but so Tar as surface indi- cations went, the precautions he had taken were entirely unnecessary. The advices were that the better Judgment of the people was uppermoSt Good feeling prevailed generally through out the city, and no disturbances were anticipated.
 Up to 8 o'clock this afternoon State Department officials had received nc word from Havana, and they accepted this as an indication that no trouble had occurred or was anticipated. They regard the rioting of last week as merely a furry which spent it's force in the few hours 1t lasted.
 General Lee is under instructions tC notify the department promptly ot anything unusual or in the least way threatening, and the fact that no dis. l patch was received from him clearly indicates that the city Is practically absolutely quiet.
 Secretary Long has received no ad-
 ditional information concerning the
 movements of the North Atlantic
 squadron and said that he expected
 none. Admiral Sicard simply carried out the orders previously issued to hin and sailed to-day with the main body
 of the squadron for Southern water. to enter upon the usual winter maneuv.
 CTS.
 NORFOLK, Va, Jan. 16.-Havine
 completed coaling and all provision. for their winters cruise in Gulf waters
 the ships of the North Atlantic squad