Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-21
OUR CUBAN POLICY.
WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION
THINKS OF PRESENT SITUATION.
GREAT RELIANCE PLACED ON LEE.
The Committeeman Empowered To
Make Direct Request for Wnrships,
should They he Needed for Protec-
lion of American interests.

WASHINGTON. January 20-Gentlemeh
in Congress. who because of their posi-
ton have reason TO be accurately III
formed on the policy of the administra-
ton as to Cuba, say that this policy IL
IN substance as follows: At the present
moment IL is felt that the same material
conditions prevail that existed when the
President sent his last message TO con-
gress. At that time 1t was stated tha1
the plan Of autonomy having been ihau-
gurated, IL was the purpose oil the ENC
cu,ive branch TO give proper time TOT
,his nlan TO be tried. The administration
IL said TO entertain the same sentiments
to-day. The autonomous plan was lhau-
gurated only three weeks ago-nameN'
q, January lst. when the autonomous
cabinet took ofice-so that 1t Is felt that
there has not been adequate time, up 10
the present moment, to form any Ia"
Judgment as TO the merits OF the plan
as q means of ameliorating condluohs oi
the island. The recent occurrences at
ttabana are looked upon as anordlnS
a,,idance of discomfort with the plan
hut whether this will be sufficient 10
overcome the plan itself is not consioered
as established with any degree Oh Ger
taintv or even approximateness. In the
moan time while closely observing the
nrogress of the autonomous plan, the
adn<nistration has adopted every pre-
caution TO guard against any suuoet
emergency. such as an uprising that VIII
threaten American interests. This is not
exnected to occur, but If II should come
Il is said that the naval vessels OF the
limited States are so disposed as 10 DC
i'm the harbor of Habana within SIN
hours of any crisis which would imperh
American interests.
In order that there may De 10 uelaS
should an emergency arise, IL Is sdiu ina,
Consul-General Lee has been empo"eieu
10 make direct request TO the coiiiiioiiu
ers of the warships, so that the NeSSeIS
could start on receipt of word from MN,
without the delay incident TO having his
request pass through the oiiiciai rou'iiie
at Washington.
RELIANCE ON LEE.
To y great extent the intelligent Judg-
ment of General Lee is reheu upon
as TO determining if an emergency re-
ouires the presence of American Vesseis'
This however. applies solely 10 the CUES
flor of tumult of a critical nature ahu
has no connection with the general ques
ton of Intervention for the purpose vi
bringing the war TO close. Such step
is not under immediate consideration III
as already stated, it is predicateo on ,ne
failure of the plan of autonomy Whlcn
rasult IL Is said the administrator uoes
not regard as established by the evidence
at hand. Go r,,,,,,,, do
1orne called at the State Department
to-dav this being diplomatic day, ana
snent three quarters of an hour In con-
,,ersation with Judge Day, the Assistant
Secretary. There was no late news from
uobana which is taken as a sign that
oil 10 ouiet there, but ii Is believed tnat
Tho Minister is seriously disquleted Dy
certain events of the last few days IN TINS
country. First, there was the speech yes
tordav i'm the House of Representative
Hitt chairman of the Committee OH
Eoreiyn Affairs. which, while from the
cnanisb view serving the useful purpose
- consolidating the majority in support
- tha presidents policy as TO Cuba, yet
emhodied certain statements IN general
terms that are likely to be misintefpre'eu
Then a few changes made recently IN
the disposition of the United States haVa
,,ossals are believed to be subject 10 the
so,,e INSTRUMENTATION by the Spanish.
while the movements, doubtless, are 10
ne explained as a part OF the regular
routine orders, it is believed they nave at
tracted the notice and dis9pproVal OF
the Spanish authorities.