Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-14
FEELING AT HAVANA
Situation Threatening and Trouble
May Occur.
ADVlCES FROM CONSUL GENERAL LEE
The Matter Considered by the
Cabinet.
THE FLEET IN THE GULF

retary Day today from Consul General
Lee shows that the situation In Havana
today is threatening, and that trouble may
occur at any time. notwithstanding the
vigorous efforts of the Spanish authorities
to preserve the peace Although he d!d
rot exactly suggest the use OF American
warshins, the tenor OF his message !ndi-
Gated the pos sbilily OF their being needed
in the near future. unless the existing
movement in Havana is summarily check
ed.
Ii is stated positively that no vessels
have been ordered to Cuba but il is ad-
mitted that one or more Will he sent at the
first notice that the lives or interests OF
United States citizens are in danger from
mob or other violence
Assistant Secretary Day said this after
noon that there was no special change in
the situation in Cuba since yesterday but
that the administration WAS watching de-
velcoments.
By long odds the most important phase
of the situation in Havana is said not to
have escaped the attention of ihe Presi-
dent and cabinet, and il naE Ec that this
will lead 10 action by this country sooner
or later. II has not been commented upon
so far This is the object Of The wrath of
the rioters. The demonstration, informa-
ton says. was as much against SPANS
autonomy plan against the newspapers
Ii was not against American citizens or
against any person except the proposition
OF Spain 10 give a new plan Of government
to the island. If the riots continue, it will
Indicate 10 the mind of the President that
Spain is divided against hel on this
question. and will 60 TO complcate matters
to such an extent as to still further weak
en- the efforts Of the Spanish government
on the island.
When the cabinet met at IL o'clock this
dispatch formed the basis of a short dis
cussion, anG the members of the cabinet
profess TO feel satisfied with the situation.
The Senate resolution calling for informa-
ton as 10 what had been done 10y the
President to safeguard American interests
in Havana during the period of riotirg was
received from the State Department and
also briefly talked over, with view TO de-
termlnins upon the nature of the reply 10
be made.
II was stated. however, that the main
subject under consideration before the cab
iIet was the prospects of the Hawaiian an
neEation treaty and not Cuban relations.
During the cabinet session Commander
Dickens OF the bureau OF navigation OF tho
navy sent in for Secretary Long ana had a
ak with him, probably in regard 10 the
movement OF ships.
The consensus of cabinet opinion was, 1t
this time, but that the government will be
prepared for action. No warships will be
sent to Havana or TO Spanish waters. They
will be IN position to answer a minutes
warning, ana viii be within six hours
reach OF Havana. 1t is officially said to be
idle talk OF q warshlp go!!l" To Havana on
a friendly mission. When one goes there
ii will be to protect American interests i'm
meliatcly. None will go there to await a
prospective riot in which interference will
be necc ssary. The warships are too close
to Havana where they are to make il nee
eSsary t. send one into Spanish waters
now. Ii is said that within six hours after
the beginning of Il riot in Havana several
American WirshlpS could rC-ch the spot
prepared for action. InasmGch this is
the case, the necessity of sending one to
Havana is not seen.
To Go South Tomorrow.
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 beer al
ready described in the orders ona Of
cvoation aad drill, planned many months
ago, the orders under which the vessels
viii proceed Rave been made public. Taken
in connection with The departments orders
TO Admiral Sicard. IL Is eSp@c;e that they
VIII show that the squadrOn'S movements
have TO reference to Cuba. These orders
are made by Admiral Sicard, and are is
SUED III tGte lleNlIt al lofltl 10 INC
of the various ships making up ;he
squadron. They are dated at Fort Mon
roe January II, on board the flagship New
York, and begin as follows:
Sir: The squadron Is 10 Dc prepared 10
sail from HInpton Roads. weather and
contingent circumstances permitting, With
steam for ten knots, at 10 am. of SATURDAY
January II, for the vicinity of the Dry
Tortug Off tue coast of Florida. Yes
sels Will unmoor in the morning watch,
unless signal is made II the contrary.
Squadron under sailing orders al : am.
THE order of snips Will be: First IL
vision-l, New York: =, Iowa. making the
first section: 3, Massachusetts: !, Indiana,
making The second section. Second d.
visior-5. Texas. first section.
THE Fern will proceed sinEiy to Key
West unless otherwise directed. The New
York Iowa and Indiana wlll proceed from
HS mptun Roads to the first sea rendezvous
OFF Currituck, North Carolina latitude 36
30 north, longitude - - west in about
fifteen fathoms of water the light house
bearing W.S.W. IS west, distant twenty
five miles. and will remain in that vicinity,
weather permitting. until noon of Sunday,
the 10th instant. They will then proceed to
a second rendezvous off Cape Fear, n. c.,
In fifteen or eighteen fathoms OF water,
Frying Pan Shoal light bearing north, dis
tant about nineteen miles, and remain in
that vicinity until about @ pm. Tuesday,
January Is, when they will proceed to Dry
TOrtugas. communicating, possibly, by
scme light draft vessel with Key West in
passing that port.
1T is expected that the Massachusetts
will leave the New York navy yard Friday,
the litn instant, and the Texas on Satur-
day, the 18th instant. The Massachusetts
VIII endeavor to join the flagship first on
the Currituck rendezvous. and if that is
missed, then on the Cape Fear rendezvous.
1t is hardly expected that the Texas will
be able TO -loln the flagship on the Curri-
tuck rendezvous, therefore directly the
Massachusetts joins there tprior to noon OF
the 10th instanO the squadron viii not then
await the Texas but proceed TO the Cape
Fear rendezvous, and therc il is hoped that
the Texas Will be able to Join by pm. of
Tuesday, January Is. Should the Massa-
chusetts miss the flagship at both rendez-
vous. or should any ship be separated from
the flagship by reason of weather or other
contingencies, the next, third. and final
rendezvous will be the harbor OF Dry Tor
tugas. where they will await the fiagship
IVY hile the squadron IS on the Florida
drill! grounds. which will include occasional
anchorage in Dry Tortugas herbor. the
post and telegraphic address will be Key
West.
1.-The above dates for sailing and rem
are subject % cha due IN tho