Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-17
REPORT THAT Lee Was SKUBBED
Effort to Aid Reconcentrados Has
Proved a Dismal Failure.
CLOSE PRESS CENSORSHIP
Special Cableg-am 70 The Evening star.

Special Cabeg-am 10 The Evening star
HAVANA, Cuba, January Is. via Port
Tampa, Fla, January 17.-Affairs here
about which information is wanted in
Washington may be briefly stated Ample
ground exists for American Intervention IL
that is to be the policy; If non-ntervention
is to be the policy plausible excuses may
be found for keeping hands of Concerning
the presence of warships there Is a differ
ence Of opinion General Lee has been con-
servative with the power lodged in his hand
to order them over from Key West on his
own responsibility, though the responsible
ity cannot entirely be shifted from Wash
lngton to Havana 1t is the truth that
since the rioting began there has been no
demonstration against Americans Their
lives have OF been manifestly in danger.
The thoughts of the army officers. the vol
rrteers and the mob were directed 10
Internal affairs. They were intent on show
ing that autonomy is not acceptable. The
first morning of the riot two or three calls
were made TO so to the American consulate
but they met with no response. In all the
subsequent rioting 1 heard no anti-Ameri-
can calls.
Criticism of Lee,
Lee has been criticised by some Ameri-
cans who have families here because the
warships were not called. 1t is not certain
that the prospects for Americans will con-
tinue SO favorable when the Spaniards get
through fighting among themselves. The
warning factions may al any time turn on
the foreigners. The army officers who be-
gan the ricting and the volunteers who en-
couraged the mob to follow it UP have al
ready shown resentment over the sugges-
tion of American war vessels. The intran-
sigente newspapers talk differently. 1t is
simply a question whether the dormant
sentiment among these classes shall bulge
out. The government processes its ability
to afford sufficient protection. If the in
transigentes published their intentions and
made known their plans in advance the
authorities would probably be able to head
off any attack on foreigners, but the gov
ernment was caught unaware in the recent
outbreak. 1t might be equally surprised il
an uprising against Americans occurred.
The chance of the ships being needed for
protection to life is about even but IL
the emergency does come there will be no
time to await the coming of vessels from
Key West. An hour will probably bring
the developments, though years may be
needed for explanations.
United States Was Frightened
-ha laf ba lin ina
here is that the United States meant to
send warships, but was frightened out of
its purpose. This impression has been fos-
tered by the papers. They represented Lee
as offering to bring the vessels to help pre-
serve order and Blanco refusing the offer.
Then tine American consul is put in the po-
sition of aoologizing for such a suggestion
having been made
Minister de LONE, in Washington, is also
credited with influence in keeping the ships
away Lee says he made no offer, but sent
a message to the police saying the minute
destruction of property began or loss OF life
occurred he would send for the warships.
His statement, however, does not reacn
the Havana public. The facts are the last
thing that the public is permitted to know.
The palace causes the word 10 be spread
that Blanco made a tart rejoinder TO Lee
as to warships.
Situation 1t Is.
On general principles this may be said:
If the period of muttering diplomacy Is
past and Spanish susceptibilities are not to
be held in the highest consideration, IL
v ould be an advantage TO have the vessels
here, but their coming should be recognized
at home a step toward Intervention, for
it will be accepted as such in Havana, and
can mean nothing else. American war ves-
sells cannot sail into the harbor one day ami
out the next.
A brief word on other points concerning
which information may be wanted Auton-
omy is dead, and the army officers have
kicked the corpse. The volunteers and the
rioters have trampled 1t. 1t has no
place In future events in Cuba.
As to probability of further outbreaks,
the government apparently has sufficient
armed force to prevent a general uprising.
Inducement to such a course is not strong
The mob has not at any time been blood
thirsty or destructive. Its purpose was to
show that autonomy would not be ac-
cepted.
Case of the RecOncentrados.
Regarding the stsrving rscooosntrados