The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-21
THE PLAN is TO WAIT
NOT ADEQUATE TINE TO TEST
AUTONOMY IN CUBA.
TO GUARD AGAINST SUDDEN EMERGENCY
Mhe Intelligent Judgment Of Consul General
Lee is Much Relied 0n--De LONE Dis
quieted by the Agitation and De-
bae in Congress.

Washington. ID. c., Jan. 20.-Gentle-
men in Congress, who, by reason of their
position, have reason to be accurately
informed ON the policy of the adminfs-
tration as to Cuba. say that this policy
is in substance as follows:
At the present moment it is felt that
the same material conditions prevail that
existed when the President sent his last
message to Congress. At that time it
was stated that the plan of autonomy
having been inaugurated it was the pur-
pose of the executive branch to give
proper time for this plan to be tried.
The administration is said to entertain
the same sentiments to-day. The autOnO-
nous plan was inaugurated only three
weeks ago. namely on January l, when
the autonomous cabinet took office, 50
that it is felt that there has not been
adequate time UP to the present moment
to form any fair Judgment as 20 the
merits of the plan as Il means of ameliOT-
ating conditions on the island. The re-
cent occurrences ut Havana are looked
upon as affOrding evidence of diScpntent
with the plan. but whether this viii be
sufficient to overcome the plan Itself is
not considered as established with any
degree of certainty, or even approximate
ness. In the meantime while closely
Observing the progress of the autonCEi1 as
plan, the administration has adopted
every precaution TO guard against nny
sudden emergency, such as an Gprising
that will threaten American interests.
This is not expected to occur. but IL it
should come, it is said that the naval
vessels of the United States are so dis
posed as to be i'm the harbor of Havana
within six hours of any crisis which
would imperil American interests. In
order that there may be no delay should
an emergency arise, it is said that Con
sui General Lee as been empowered
to make direct request to the comman-
ders of the war ships tina the vessels
could start on receipt of word from him,
without the delays incident to having his
requests pass through the official routine
at Washington. To a great extent the
intelligent judgment of General Lee is
relied upon as to determining if an emer-
gency requires the presence Of American
vessels. This. however, applies solely
TO the question of tumult of Il critical
nature, ana has no connection with the
general question of intervention for the
purpose of bringing the war to Il close
Such Il step is mot under immediate con-
sideisition, for. as already stated. it is
predicted ON the failure of the plan OF
autonomy, which result, it is said, the
administration does not regard as estab-
lished by the evidence at hand.
The Spanish Minister. Senor Dupuy
De Lone, called at the State Depart
memt to-day. this being diplomatic day,
and spent three quarters of an hour in
conversation with Judge Day, the As
sistant Secretary. There was no late
news from Havana. which is taken as
a sign that all is quiet there. But il is
believed that the Minister is seriously
disquieted by certain events of the last
few days in this country. First, there
was the speech yesterday in the House
of Representatives, of Representative
Hit, chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs. which while fir M t.r
Spanish view serving the useful purpose
of consolidating the majority in support
of the Presidents policy as to Cuba
yet embodied certain statements in gem
eral terms that are likely TO be misin,
terpreted in Spain. Then few changes
made recently in the disposition of the
United States naval vessels are believed
to be subject to the same misinterpre
tation by the Spanish. While the move
ments doubtless are to be explained
as a part of the regular routine orders.
it is believed they have attracted the
notice and disapproyal of the Spanish
authorities.