The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-17
BLANCO In PERIL.
New Governor General in DAN
ger of Being MObBed
And Driven From the Island
Matters Look Serious.
Q UIET PREVAILING
Merely the Silence That Pre-.
cedes the Tempest.
Cuban Affairs Now Rapidly APP
preaching a Crisis.

Havana, Cuba. via Key West, Fla,
Jan. 17.-Havana today at least is out
wardly calm, after three days tumult
and threatened conflict between the
populace, backed by the suppressed
sympathy of the volunteers and the
government of Gen. Blanco.
No one questions that the death
kneIl OF autonomy has been sounded
Although quiet now reigns, there is
reason to fear that the end has not yet
come.
The government fully realizes that
the mob by no means represents the
strength of the movement. This is
abundantly proved by the fact that it
has been deemed necessary to draft full
ly 5000 regulars into the city from the
country, in addition to the forces al
ready on guard here.
Since Wednesday night Havana has
been an armed camp. That the threat
ened conflict with the volunteers has
been averted is due, in great measure,
to the firm attitude and diplomacy of
Gen. Prado, the assistant captain gen
eral and ex-ofhcio commander OF the
volunteers.
Throughout the disturbances the an
imaung spirit of the mob has been en-
thusiasm for Weyler, and demand for
the vigorous prosecution of the war on
Gen Blanco and the new govern
ment
officers make no secret of their deter
mination to proceed to any lengths to
force the resignation or recall Of BIan-
co. So far the army has remained 10y
al, but there is no question that bitter
discomfort with BlancO is prevalent in
all ranks.
Washington, Jan. 17.-The state de-
partment and Senor -Dupuy De Lone,
the Spanish minister, both expressed
the opinion. today that the trouble at
Havana has blown over. No advices
under tOday's date had been received
by either the department or the minis
tor nm 20 ,tr 1r0lv 4.rI
Senior De LONE received two lis
patches last night the first saying that
everything was -pdiet, and the latter,
apparently senS at a later hour, an
nouneed that calm had prevailed dur
ing the day.
The state deasr.ot at 9 o'e1ock-re=-
ceived dispatch from Consul General
Lee, saying: "An quiet"
The Iateness of the receipt of ad-
vices yesterday. the minister says, IS
due to the fact that the Havana cable
office on Sundays does not open till
o'clock at night.
New York, Jan. IA dispatch to the
Tribune from Havana says:
Spanish power in Cuba now. rests on
it's ability to maintain order in Havana
Until the government shows Itself
master of the city, no other question
can be considered. Military operations
against the insurgents are forgotten
Progress with autonomy is a figTnent.
The turmoil seems ended for the pres
ent. The quiet of an armed truce pre-
walls. It is possible to review the
events of the last few days and to
analyZe their significance. The pres
ence of 5000 5000 regular troops
gives promise that the calm viii last
long enough for a review of the pros
poets.
A single week has given Havana
more vivid idea of what war is than
all the events of three years Of insur-
rection.
The rioting has not been one of de-
struction or bloodshed. It's animating
purpose was political That may ac-
count for the lack of bloody collisions
between the troops and the rioters A
dozen cavalry onslaughts, frequent
infantry attacks and countless bayo-
net charges on the mob without any
body being killed-thiS is a little short
of marvellous; but it went on in the
streets of Havana for three days and
nights. It could not so on indefinitely
without bloOdshed-
The tact and fOrbearance with Whlcn
the authorities carried out their orders
undoubtedly have helped to bring the
government temporarily through the
crisis. When the mob was crying death
to Blanco and autonomy, self-restraint
was necessary. The cries for " eyler
were the most pronounced OF all 1ney
showed that he had many partisars IN
the city who are determined to pro
claim themselves. The distur Dances
that have occurred are bringing the
question of American intervention to
head It's deSirability has been pTl-
vately suggested to Consul General
Lee by Spanish merchants. but they
are slow to commit themselves to pa
per or to take formal action. General
Lees advfces to the state department.
are conservative but set forth the
present situation clearly He does not
recommend immediate intervention,yet
he uoes not take a hopeful view of the
ability of the Spanish authorities 20
restore public order permanently
The government newspapers deplore
the riotfng and say that it has done
more for insurrectiOn than Gomez or
Calixto Garcia could do.