The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-15
None VIII Be Sent, However. Unless
the Rioting at Havana should BE
Beyond Control of Authorities.
NO DISTURBANCE YESTERDAY
GEN. LEES REPORTS CONSIDERED
AT THE CABINET MEETING.
Admiral Sicard's Instructions to Com
manders of Ships Composing the
Squadron of Evolution.
,peelal to the IndianapolIs journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14-No order for
the direct movement of a naval force into
Cuban waters has been issued but rapid
concentration of the vessels composing the
Atlantic squadron within easy reaching dis
tance of Havana is already under way. This
activity is the result of conclusions reached
by the administration within the past forty
eight hours and chiefly during the last
twenty-four hours The President is as
firmly resolved as ever to hold war at a
distance as long as this can be done con-
sistently with the preservation of the rights
of American citizens and the dignity of
the Nation. The only question which is
understood to have presented itself to his
mind is whether as a mere matter of hui
manity a mistake has not been made in
letting matters go as far as they have.
The activity observed in naval circles
here and at the navy yards, and which has
been interpreted by the sensational press
as meaning that Uncle Sam is getting
ready for some hitherto unexpected stroke,
is really due to effort to put everything
in such shape that it can be told at mo-
ments notice just what can be done and
just what cannot at every point where our
ships are placed This plating out of our
strength has already been accomplished.
The United States is now prepared for
emergencies whenever and wherever they
may occur and unless some sudden change
comes over the aspect of things the present
excitement will probably die down. The one
thing which is likely to bring about a
change of plan is the supremacy of mob
law in Havana or Madrid through the OBJ
vious inability of the Spanish authorities
to restrain the rabble longer. This govern
ment will not permit the wild riot of the
Paris Commune to be repeated almost
within gun shot of it's coast, and if a pop
ular revolution in Spain should throw her
colonial interests into great confusion it
would probably be deemed a suitable time
for our interference
The hurried conference at the White
House last night was probably due to the
reception of dispatch from Consul General
Lee, stating that rioting in Havana had
been renewed. A copy of the dispatch was
left at the White House this morning by
Assistant Secretary Day. In 1t General
Lee, while noting the attacks on the news
paper offices in continuation of those of the
day before and the participation Of some
soldiers in the demonstrations, SAID the au-
thorities were confident of maintaining the
peace. At the Cabinet meeting, at II
o'clock, the dispatch formed the basis for
short discussion. The members of the
Cabinet professed to feel satisfied with the
situation. The Senate resolution calling
for information as to what had been done
by the President to safeguard American in
terests in Havana during the period of riot
ing was received from the State Depart
ment and also briefly talked over, with a
view TO determining the nature of the reply
to be made. The main subject under
sideration before the Cabinet, however, it
is declared was the prospects of the Ha-
waiian annexation treaty and not Cuban
relations. The North Atlantic squadron,
which has been gathering at Hampton
roads, is to sail southwark tomorrow. Lest
there should be any misunderstanding of
the purpose of the cruise, which has al
ready been described, the orders under
which the vessels will proceed have been
made public, and, taken in connection with
the departments orders to Admiral Sicard,
the Navy Department says, shows that the
squadron's movements have no reference to
General Lees cablegram, it is also
learned, stated that, while he did not see
any indications of the resumption of the
riots, yet, in view of the intiammable sit
uatiOn in Havana, he believed that there
might be further trouble. He added that
he did not anticipate another outbreak, but
yet would not be surprised at one. None
of the disturbances, he reported, had been
directed against the United States or Amer
lean citizens. The Cabinet discussion
showed that the President, while decided
not to send war ship to Cuba at present,
does propose to keep one or more vessels
within a reasonable distance of Havana,
so that one of our ships may reach there
within six hours in the event OF sudden
call for its presence from General Lee.
Should our consul general say that the
emergency demands it, a vessel Will be sent
instantly it is stated.
Senior Dupuy De LONE, the Spanish min
lister, received several dispatches last night
and this morning. One of these dispatches.
filed at / o'clock this morning by Secretary
General Congosto, says: The tumult has
not been continued. Calm IS preserved
throughout the city. / believe that the nor
NAL condition will be perfectly established.
Fortunately, there is not a single casualty
that we have to regret"
The last news of the day from Consul
General Lee came to the State Department
about O'Clock and was at once sent over
to the White House. 1t went to confirm
the previous reports and was simple state
ment by General Lee that at noon to-day
all was quiet in Havana.
One of the dispatches received to-day
states that there would be no objection to
the presence in Havana OF Miss Clara Bar
ton of the National Red cross, the authori-
ties being ready to extend TO her the same
privileges as those given to any other citi-
zen.
Regarding reports that the rioting in Ha-
Vana had caused apprehension among man
ufacturers, financiers and others. that busi-
ness affairs might be unsettled by fears of
foreign complications and that they had
wired the President asking him TO withhold
and to use his influence to prevent intiam-
matory speeches in Congress, II can be
stated authoritatiyely that no dispatches on
this subject had been received at the White