The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-01-19
The Havana Riots.

The reported street riots 10 Havana
furnish DO rational cause for apprehen
sion 10 the United States, either for the
safety of lives of our citizens in the
capital Of Cura or for the rupture Of
our diplomatic relations With Spain
The disorderly demonstration is of far
more concern to Madrid than to Wash
ington. 1t is visible and violent de-
monstrasion Of what has been stated by
every honest newspaper correspondent
in Cuba, and of what has been COD.
fdentially reported to our Department
Of State by Consul General Lee-tho
absolute failure of that treacherous
overture for peace which masqaerades
under the spurious title Of autonomy.
This so-called autonomy was doomed
to failure at the outset, when it vas 10.
dignantly rejected by the civil and mill
tary authorities Of the Republic Of
Cuba. The effort to forward the expert
ment by bribery vas promptly thwarted
by the military execution of Blanco's
emissaries. At the same time, the Dew
policy Of autonomy was roundly de-
nouoced, no: only by the personal par
tisaus of Weyler, but by the couserva-
tives and C.rlists as we'll 10 the PENN
sula !; while in Cuba. especially in Ha-
vaua, the conservative Spauiards were
even more outspoken il their opposi-
ton to autonomy and in their regret at
the recall Of Weyler and their loss Of
share of bis loot Now. scarcely
week after the formal proclamation of
autonomy aud the Inauguration Of
Blanco's new Cabinet" the aogry
conservatives, turned out of local Office
and perquisties. gut the Offices of au-
sooomiss newspapers and menace tbe
consulate of the United States.
The only effects Of autonomy thus far
have been to spur .he insurgents into
renewed activity. and TO divide the
Spsni.rds among themselves in the
very capital of the islaad What Spain
has now to fear is that the example OF
these riots, even Though 5000 miles
away. mag be SO infectious as to pro-
woke 80, uprising at home against the
ssgssts Ministry. But the situation in
Havana. go far as reported, need cause
no trepidation hero. Blanco has ample
force ct his command to insure the pro-
lection of resident Americans and of
orr consulate. Havana is but four
hoars' stesming from Key West,
wheuce the battle ship Maine is ready
to start at ao hours notice.
We have repeatedly maintained that
American interests in Cuba folly war
ran,ed the presence of one or more of
ou- war ships in Cuban waters Spain
could 6od no possible presexs for protest
against the sight Of our uaval flag in
Havana harbor The outbreak of vio-
lsuce among the Spaniards themselves
iu their owo capital makes still more
obvious the duty as we'll aS the pro-
priety of sending naval vessel TO
harbor OF nation With whom We are on
friendly terms. bus some Of whose citi.
zens are sqoabb!ing SO violently amoag
themselves tina. they might be so en-
forsuoatc as accidentally to strike an
innocent bystander. That might rouse
the by.stander 80 strike back. We do
no. wish that to happen; Spain does
not wish thas to happen Therefore, it
is 10 the nature of guarantee of peace
that the American consulate and
American lives and property in
Havana should be made safe
ly inviolate by the presence of the
American aag aud the spectacle of
American guos.