The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-01-26

plain and convincing, and we can add
nothing more forcible in urging the
planting of a smaller crop. We invite
a careful perusa. of this letter.
Within the last few days the situa-
ton in Cuba has become so critical as
to bring about very active state of
affairs in the war, state and navy de-
partments of the United States and to
fix the attention of at least one-half
the world upon this unhappy little is
land. Manoeuveripg within few
miles of Cuba is the most formidable
feet assembled in Southern waters
since the close of the civil war, and
the question now on the lips of every
one is, ':is the United States govern
ment preparing to interfere in the Gu
ban situation?' Notwithstanding it
has been custom time cut of mind
for the United States Senate to take
Saturday recess, SO critical was the
situation regarded in high circles that
when the question of adjournment
came up Saturday last Senator Davis
and ethers thought that owing to the
seriousness of the situation the Senate
had best remain in session. There is
considerable excitement in Washing
ton and the public men show great
eagerness for news. The entire North
Atlantic squadron were expected to
reach the Gulf waters last Saturday.
The cruisers already there were the
Marblehead, the Detroit and the
second-class battlcship Maine. The
fotilla Of torpedo boats stationed at
Key West are the Dupont, the Eric
son, the Cushing and the Porter. and
the following battleships and cruisers
probably reached there Saturday: the
Massachusetts,, the Iowa. the Texas,
the Indiana, the New York and the
Montgomery. The Atlanta is out Of
commission, but will be sent down to
join the feet as soon as it is reftted.
The navy department has put the flo
tilla of torpedo boats uadcr cipher or
ders from General Lee. Should the
cables be cut, or messages stopped,
owing to accident or to any other
cause, the torpedo boats are under or
ders to proceed at once to Havana to
learn the cause. \ cipher system has
been established between Havana and
Key West by which the authorities in
Key West hear every hour or SO from
General Lee. Should his cipher fail
to come at any time one or more tor
pedo boats are under instructions to
hasten to Havana without waiting
for other orders, either from Lee or
from Washington. Dispatches from
Washington say the government is
preparing to strike decisive blow,
but what that blew will be people can
only guess. 1t may rot mean Cuban
independence. There is very strong
party in Cuba who are very deeply
concerned in her welfare, but who
would take no part in reorganization
by the insurgents. These people are
looking to the United States for re-
lief of different sort and their hopes
may not be in vain. The nitcd
States may force the acceptance of the
civil reforms proposed by Spain, and
the interference of this government
may be at the instance Of Spain.
Autonomy as it is proposed by Spain
would give Cuba such Il goyernmcntas
that of Canada, but Spain is unable to
force its acceptance and the interfcr
cncc Of this government may by no
means signify the independence OF
Cuba. With our limited knowledge
Of Cuba, particularly of her mixed
population, we cannot form a correct
opinion as to whether independence.
or autonomy rs proposed
by Spain would be best for the is
land. We do know, however, that
this unnilitary war has been one Of
continual horrors. where loss Of life
and destruction Of property has been
and it matters little what
policy this government may pursue so