Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-18
Observation-Disclosures Is, 1898
rIrz LEE AND TIE RIOTS.

sunday having passed in Habana with
out resumption Of rioting, it is fair to
presume that the worst is over The
average Spanish mob is not different
from the average mob Of other Latin
races As a rule. its fury is not long
sustained 1t vents it's devitry in hurry,
and there's an end TO it for time
at least. especially if the rioters are
dealt with vigorously In the beginning.
Despite FIRST reports to the contrary, it
now seems that the Habana mob was
promptly and summarily taken I'M hand.
As consequence, Sunday. the day most
dreaded when the populace of a city is
in a state of unrest was day Of tran
guilty.
But even had the rloting continued, the
affair would have been no concern Of
this governments so long as the rights,
property. and lives of citizens of the
United States were not menaced. From
reliable dispatches. il would seem that
so far this condition has not obtained
nor does il appear likely that it Will OBJ
tain. unless we do something TO provoke
it. The New York Heralds Habana cor
respondent telegraphed that paper Satur-
day night that he had been present at
every collision and had not heard a
single anti-American cry.
The trouble was one entirely between
Blanco, representing the policy of the
new Spanish ministry in respect Of Cuba,
and the anti-AutonOmists. or Weylerites,
who were plotting to use the lower or
ders and the volunteers 10 produce chaos,
discredit autonomy, and stimulate a re-
action in Spain that would conduce 10
the overthrow of the Sagasta govern
ment.
The volunteers are an irresponsible
armed mob at best, and on previous oc-
casions have been made the all too
willing tools to influence the sentiment in
and action by, the mother country. But
we take it, and advices from Habana 90
10 prove that they have imbibed a whole
some respect for this country, especially,
since General Lee has been Consul-Gene-
raj at Habana Moreover, II appears that
in the lncipiency Of the outbreak General
Lee uttered an unmistakable warning
20 hands off" so far as Americans were
concerned, or take the consequences, and
such is his reputation that it was not
necessary TO explain that he meant what
he said. According 20 the Herald CORES
pondent quoted above, General Lee
stated that while he did not consider the
situation serious enough 10 demand the
presence of a warship, he did send a mes
sage TO the palace, saying that unless
the authorities gave him assurances that
they were able TO guarantee protection
OF the lives and property Of Americans
during the riots. he would cable for
ship and have one pretty quick. That
the guarantee was given, we may rest
assured.
Thus far General Lees course has been
thoroughly INDICATED by events. the cry
Of the jingoes that we ought to have
sent a warshlp to Habana to the con-
trary Notwithstanding. AS the case now
stands we have done nothing to provoke
the hostility OF the Habana populace
against Americans. the responsibility Of
protecting our citizens residing there has
been thrown upon the authorities in
way that permits Of no Sinking or es-
cape. and we have avoided friction with
the Madrid Government. Had General
Lee lost his head and called for war
chip as soon as the disturbances began
as a civilian Consul-General would pro-
baby have done all these conditions
would doubtless have been reversed. Not
only that. but additional undesirable con-
ditions would probably have been pre-
cipita,ed. with the result that this coun-
Try would have been thrown into state
OF ferment TO the great detriment Of
business.