Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-13
Tomas Estrada Palma Discusses
Reported Rioting in Havana.
THINKS IT WILL BRING PEACE
The News is Discredited by the
Spanish Consul.
TALK WITH ADMIRAL BUNCE
NEW YORK January Il 10


The rioting in Havana and the wrecking
of several liberal newspaper offices by
army officers and conservatives opposed
to the plan Of autonomy excites more sat
isfaction than surprise among sympathiz-
ers with the cause of Cuba in this city.
The opinion is general that the time has
arrived for the United States to inter-
vene. General Tomas Estrada Palma,
head of the Cuban junta here, said today:
THE rioting in Havana is the direct re-
suit of the attempt to give autonomy, so
called, to the island. The Spaniards in
Cuba will not have it at any cost, if they
can help it. You must know that every
Spanfard regards a Cuban as the enemy
of Spain.
Even those who have been appointed to
office under the plan of autonomy are dis
trusted by the Spaniards. 1 believe that
the present attacks on the newspapers are
only the beginning of what may prove
more serious. If they are not successfully
interrupted the result will be massacre
and assassination in Havana. 1 think the
time has come for the American govern
ment to intervene. This is the only way
to stop the constant trouble and outbreaks
in the island.
General Blanco. it must be remembered,
has very little interest in the army. He
is without popularity or influence The
officers and volunteers almost to a man
believe that the policy pursued by Weyler
is the only practicable policy. Americans
cannot conceive of the deep-seated hatred
with which the SpaniardS regard the Gu
bans, who have Inundated them before
the eyes of the world. Just as long as the
Spanish flag is hoisted in Cuba there will
be trouble.
1T may be that the United States may
wait a little before taking action, but l
am sure that the American government is
prepared for any emergency that may
arise.
Thinks There VIII BE No War.
Il do not think there will ever be war
between the United States and Spain. The
Spanish government has already allowed
the United States to interfere in her inter-
nal affairs in the matter of relieving the
starving reconcentrados, and any further
steps that this government would take
could hardly be objected to as being with
out precedent.
1T has been settled beyond doubt that no
kind of liberal government can be estab-
lShed in Cuba. The riots prove this. A
few newspapers espoused the cause of au-
tonomy, and this was at once met by
union of army officers and volunteers OPP
posed to the plan. who suppressed the press
by force. That is the kind of liberty that
will be allowed in Cuba and none other.
Discredited by Spanish Consul.
The Spanish consul general, Arturo Bal
dasano said today that he believed that
the reports from Havana were greatly ex-
aggerated.
Il cannot believe the stories,' he said,
that officers Of the army were concerned
in the attack on the newspaper offices.
Spain does not send her soldiers there for
that purpose. Newspaper offices nave been
wrecked before in most countries by angry
mobS and war has not been the result.
Neither will it be in this case.
IF there are any disorders in Havana.
concluded the consul general, rest assured
that they Will be stopped at once.
Bunce Knows Nothing.
II have heard nothing of the report CT
r:oting in Havana and orders to the North
Atlantic squadron except what have read
in the newspapers morning. said Adj
miral Bunce, at the Brooklyn navy yard.
The whole squadron was about to rem
devious off Key West. The ships not in
the navy yard now are waiting at Hamp-
ton roads already on the way TO
Key West.
in the southern waters contempla led any
likelihood of such action as the defense of
Americans in Havana. That is u matter
for the far-seeing eye OF Commodore Sicard.
The ships come here for repairs and are
ordered away again. and that is all we
ever know about them"
When asked whether he was holding the
Massachusetts, the Texas and the Brook
Ign here in anticipation of some sudden or
ders, the commandant said:
No. These ships merely undergoing
some slight repairs, and will go on their
winter cruise as soon they are ready"
w hat do you think about the trouble in
Cuba?"
Il don't think anything about 1t. am
not mere to think, only to obey orders l
am not worrying about the situation"
Dispatches from Havana last night re-
| ported serious rioting III that city. 1t was
said that mob, led by Spanish officers.
psraded the streets and smashed In the
WINDOWS or the newspaper offices which
had advocated autonomy.