Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-29
AMERICANS AT HAVANA
Alarming Reports Circulated Regarding
Their Safety.
Gen. BIancO Declares That the Pres
ence of Cerresppndents Makes the
Situation Critical.


The Spanish situation was the absorbing
and practically the only subject OF con-
sideration at the State, War and Navy De-
partments today. Although the main In.
terest OF the Gay was centered in the cab--
met meeting and the general course of
Congress. yet the active negotiations now
proceeding with Spain made the State Boz
partment hardly less center of attention,
while the Preparations Of the war and
navy branches went on with unabated
vigor. The Spanish minister, Senior Polo,
reached the State Department shortly be-
fore noon and was with Judge Day over
faif an hour. The meeting was by APP
potntment, ope of Judge Days clerks hav-
Ing been sent to the minister to ask him
to come to the department at the earliest
moment.
Pending his arrival Judge Day went to
the Navy Department and had a talk with
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt, and soon
thereafter Mr.. Roosevelt returned the visit
and had talk with Judge Day in the lat
ter's office These hurried conferences at
tracted Much attention, but all concerned
observed the striotest reticence as to the
subjects discussed 81.
Reported Trouble at Havana,
The reports of riots at Havana led to the
DeneI tnat q movement was on foot to
gave American ships sent to the Cuban
capital as q measure of protection to Amer
ican interests It is not likely, however,
tnat THIS Will be done for the present The
dfsquietfng reports about trouble at Ha
Vana was largely Offset when Judge Day
prepared the following statement, which
was posted in the chief clerks office of the
State Department:
kilograms from Consul General Loo
show no occasion for the alarming report
as to situation in Havana"
This was the only reference Judge Day
would make to the many different stories
as 10 agitation at Havana, the danger of
American citizens there, and the alleged
threats against General Lees life, The
assistant secretary conveyed the strong
impression that these reports of distlrh
ahce were not correct, although he con-
|, flied his official utterance to the brtaf
statement above given. From an authort
tative source 1t was learned however thai
1t was not probable that American naval
vessels would be sent to Havana for the
present.
Blanco Objects to COrrespondent..
The State Department gives no ofBc,.,
confirmation Of reports that official advices
from Havana state that riots headed NV
the Weyler element are apprehended II
appears. however, that Captain General
Bianco has sent a communication in which
ne says he believes that a demonstration
may be precipitated at any moment by an
element made Up of certain Americans of
sirong anti-Spanish tendency now at Ha-
Vaha- General Blanco states that he does
not Tear any disturbances ana riots com-
ing from the Cuban people. The sHgges-
10 "oyylnr al
ing riots Is emphatically repudiated by the
captain gsnerals> General B1anco expresses
complete confidence in his ability to pre-
serve quiet among the native population
He Is convinced, he says, that a riotous
demonstration at Havana amounting to an
overt act designed to precipitAte war be-
tween the United States and Spain Is be-
ing systematically fomented by certain
class OF American citizens f''-'-
Blanco clearly and unequivocaIly declares
that the presence Of American correspond
ents In Cuba make the situation In his view
mora critical
Plans of Settlement Discussed,
The purpose and results of the Spanish
minister's talk with Judge Day were. Of
course. guarded with the customary secre-
cy that prevails at the State Department.
In general way. however. IL was produce
tive OF further expressions from high OIL
c1ais that the outlook continued to be
pacific. 1t was learned that the last diff
ference had disappeared as to Spain OBJ
oecttng to the dispatch Of relief supplies BY
the United States government to Cuba
Spain has also expressed full willingness
to allow the reconcentrados to be assisted
by agricultural implements, ETC., or in sny
way the United States sees fit to adopt so
long as 1t does not assume a form offensive
to Spain by being carried in warships. Be-
ycnd this however. the plans of settlement
have taken very wide range and no one
OF them is yet reduced to such a concrete
fern that it gives promise Of acceptance
by both governments. Both sides appeared
to be animated by an earnest desire 10
AVOID war by all honorable means, and for
this reason every possible proposition or
oasis OF adjustment was being fully can
| vassed.
Spain's Attitude.
There is high authority for saying. how
ever, That the Spanish attitude I'D to the
present time has not been to consider seri-
ously either the independence of Cuba,
1orciDle intervention, or the sale of the is
lard. There is much difference of opinion
as to the so-called armistice among officials
who ought to be fully advised as to its ex-
act terms If It has assumed definite
form. A gentleman well acquainted with
Spanish affairs pointed out today that the
talk Of an armistice was out of the cues
ton, as Spain would never withdraw her
forces in Cuba While the rebeIlious element
was in arms. He said also that the state
ments published concerning pending
proposition for enlarged autonomy. to go
| into force Immediately after the coming
Cuban election, was not In fact under con-
sideration. as the reported terms OF this
new autonomy are In detail embraced in
the present autonomy now about to be put
| into force.
Prevailing Apprehension.
There was considerable excifem ant in the
| uptown departments for a time this morn
| ing over report that Gen. Lee had noti-
| fed the department that the situation in
| Havana Is extremely critical. and that he
had advised all citizens Of the United States
| to leave Havana at once. Assistant Secre-
tary Day stated that there was nothing
| charming in Gen. Lees advices to the de-
|