The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-03-08

under consideration, and, in view or
the fact that the ship has been three
years away from a nevy yard, en-
gagged in hard cruising service, even IL
there were no other reason, 1t is PROB
able that the order would be given
The Olympia is protected cruiser OF
extraordinary speed and endurance,
with a battery strong enough to over
power almost anything short or a bat
tleship and speed enough to run away
from that or anything else she does
not care to fight.
Naval officials are deeply interested
in the reports of the
Purchase of Warships
by Spain, and make the reports OF
these TRANSACTIONS the text for COM
plants of the inability of our navy de-
Dartment to do likewise. However, as
to the report from London of the pur-
chase of the Amazonas by Spain, it is
said. at the department that this vessel
sailed for Brazil several months ago
and has been delivered to the Brazilian
government Her sister ship is near
completion in the Armstrong yards.
The other two ships building for Bra
Zil in France, which are also reported
to be about to pass into Spanish
nan4S, are presume Il to be the DeadOrO
and tie Floriana, which are building
marine inspection. That the permits
at La Seinne, Toulon. These are
small but powerful little battleships.
The London reports also caused COM
ment at the. state department. IN
some quarters the feeling was eX-
pressed that, pending the finding OF
court Of inquiry on case having the
international phases of the Maine eX-
No oh ;Crot of
were as strongly imposed Oh Great
Britain and Brazil as in time Of war.
The precedents apply only to condi-
ton Of war and not to conditions
which may eventually lead to war. In
the Geneva award, however, unfriend-
~ acts by Great Britain prior to the
breaking out of the rebellion cOnStl-
tuted Part Of the cause on which
heavy damages were awarded against
her. But as q general rule foreign
governments are free TO sell WarShlpS
either directly or through their citl-
Zens up to the actual date OF HOSTILE
ties.
Things were very quiet, at least eX-
ternally, in the war department.
Washington, March 8.-The Spanish
situation developed two new phases
yesterday, when it became known
that the Spanish government had for
mally requested the recall of Consul
General Lee from his post at Havana,
to which request the United States
had courteously but firmly refused to
comply; also that the Spanish govern
ment has suggested the improperly of
sending relief supplies to the Cuban
recOncentradoS On the cruiser Mont
gomery and gunboat Nashville, to
which suggestion the United States
has given d like answer in the mega
tive.
The first intimation of these steps
came in brief and explicit cable dis
patch from Madrid. Prior to it's re-
ceipt, however, the authorities here
had been fully conversant Of the facts,
although no intimation had been al
lowed to get to the public on either
subject The disclosures from Madrid
left no further ground for reticence in
Washington, and after a conference at
the White House between the presi-
dent, Assistant Secretary Day and
Secretary Long the following author
lied statement was handed to the AS
ISOLATED Press by Judge Day, as COM
prising everything that was to be said
by the administration on the subject:
Satisfied With Lee.
"The president will not consider the
recall of Gen. Lee. He has borne
himself throughout this crisis with
Judgment, fidelity and courage, to the
presidents entire satisfaction. AS to
the supplies for the relief of the Gu
ban people, all arrangements have
been made to carry a consignment this
week from Key West by one OF the
naval vessels, whichever may be best
adapted and most available for the
purpose, to Matanzas and Sagua."
Although the officials here are non
com1nittal on the subject, it is believed
that the request for Gen. Lees recall
was made at least day or two ago.
and that the Spanish government. at
ter receiving the reply of the state de-
partment, has not insisted either upon
Lees recall or upon its contention that
the relief supplies should not be sent
to Cuba in naval vessels.
Beyond the foregoing those who had
participated in the conference at the
White House would not discuss the
subject, and it was stated positively
that the authorized statement COM
prised everything that would be given
to any one.
Presidents Prompt Action.
In responding to the request for Gen,
Lees recall the president does not