Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-01-18
ALL EYES ON HAVANA
A Very Serious Situation at
Havana.
EXISTING CONDITIONS SERIOUS
More Rioting Means an End to
Spanish Rule,
EXISTING CONDITIONS SERIOUS

New YORK, Jan 1S.-A dispatch to
the Tribune from Havana says:
The perpetuation of Spanish power
in Cuba now depends on BlancO's
ability to maintain order in Havana
Until the govern ment shows itself
master of that city, 40 other question
can be considered. Ministry opera
tions against the insurgents are for
gotten. Progress with autonomy is
a figment. The turmoil seems ended
for the present. The presence of 5000
or 5000 regular troops give promise
that the calm will last loug enough
week has given Havana more vivid
idea of what war is than all the
events of three years of insurrectiOn.
The tact and forbearance with
which the officers carried out their
orders has brought the government
temporarily through the crisis. When
the mob was crying death to Blanco
and to autonomy, self-restraint was
necessary, The cries for Weyler were
the most pronounced Of all. They
showed that he had many partiSans
in the city who are determined to
proclaim themselves.
The authorities for month bad
been taking precautions against a
hostile demonstration. They did not
expect that it would be encouraged by
officers of the army. Until these Of
ticers are properly disciplined, respect
for the government cannot be restored
and General Blanco does not seem
powerful enough to cashier them.
Every body'fears the army. Some of
the people who suffered by the riot
endeayor to excuse it. The officers
were ostensibly ayenging reflections
made by the autonomiSt newspapers
on the army. But in their attacks on
La Discussion they struck a blow at
autonomy as well as at an autonO-
nous newspaper
General Blanco has tried to assure
the SagaSta ministry and the people
Of the United States that the riots
have on political signiticance-it
would be well for the government if
this were so, but it is not SO. The ul-
ira SpaniardS are taking off their hats
to the army. The people who were
rash enough to criticiSe its officers are
Fastening to maize anp!Ogies.
The army is hereafter dominant
political force in Cuba. Its officers
may start ne more riots, but the spirit
which pervades it will Influence other
classes, and that spirit is one of hos
tility to autonomy. The tirmness
with which the iron hand of military
repression is,stretched over the city
may keep down further outbreaks,
but though the tension will not loosen
for long time to come, the property
owners, who are mostly against the
political policy of the government,
haYe every reason to join with it in
maintaining order. They affected to
be satisfied with what has been done.
The volunteers are certain TO con-
tinue in state Of ferment, but they
are not likely to break out in open
revolution. They seem to be fixing
their minds on securing General
Blanco's recall, The demonstrations
they make are likely to have effect in
Spain. With that in view, the dis
turbances that have occurred are
bringing the question of American in
terventjon to a head. Its desirable
Consul General Lee by Spanish meT-
chants. out they are slow to commit |
themselves to hopes or to take formal
action.
General Lees advices TO the state
department are conservative, but set
forth the real situation clearly. He
does not recommend immediate inter-
vention, yet he does not take hope
full view of the ability of the Spanish
authorities to restore public order
permanently.
The government newspapers de-
plore the rioting, and say that it has
done more for the inSurrection that
Gomez or Garcia could do. They also
say that it will have a bad effect in
the United States.
The question of sending warships
will haye to be determined soon. No
anti-American demonstration has yet
occurred. The trouble lies between
Spanish factions, and apparently their
minds are fully occupied with destroy
ing autonomy. If further Toting
should break out it is possible that
feeling would be aroused against
Americans which would be hard to
restrain.