The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-09

North Atlantic squadron at Key West is
putting too many of our eggs in one
basket and unduly exposing the eastern
coast.
There has also been talk of organic
ing a flying squadron composed alto
gether of fleet cruisers. four in number,
and having them ready to go to sea at
a moments notice in pursuit of an enc
my's ship relying upon the big battle
ships for the home guard. This. how
ever. has not been decided upon.
proposition that received instant
attention and is expected to be APP
proved in the end, came to the navy
department to-day. This was to turn
over to the navy department ten of the
best boats in the lighthouse service.
These boats are from 400 to 800 tons
burden, good sea boats. manned by
officers thoroughly familiar with every
indention of the Atlantic coast and
capable of being easily transformed
into efficient gunboats. The Mangrove
is vessel of this character. She is new
and speedy. 1t is intended TO place
siX-inch rifle on a pivot mount on each
vessel forward and to place light
armor around the borders and machine
ry to protect them from small arms fire
at least. The attention of the depart
ment has also been called To the feasi-
bility of recruiting the naval list from
the revenue marine cutters, NUMBER
of which are fully equal. being given
arms. to the smaller type of gunboats
now in the service. If these vessels
were awaited of, they would be assigned
to duty along the southern coast main
tanning blockades and relieving the
larger and more expensive cruisers OF
much wearisome duty.
Arrangements were perfected al the
navy department to-day for the relief
of the dispatch boat Fern at Havana
by the cruiser Montgomery. The Mont
gomery will relieve the Fern to-mor-
row morning, so that the latter vessel
may arrive at Key West Wednesday
evening. in ample time to receive the
food supplies from New York, which
are due there on that day. There Will
be no delay in the departure of the Fern
on her errand of mercy.
The Lee Incident.
Senior Dubosc, the Spanish represent
alive at Washington, when seen at the
Spanish legation to-day and asked as
to the status of affairs, said: Not
outstanding the apparent agitation, |
am gratified to note that so far as
actual occurrences are concerned. they
are adjusting themselves naturally and
in a manner most satisfactory to both
governments. The Lee incident is
closed If, indeed. ii was ever opened.
AT most it was a misrepresentation of
what actually occurred.
Il am directly authorized by Senior
Gullon, the minister of the foreign af-
fairs TO deny that any demand or re-
quest has ever been made for the re-
call of Consul General Lee and 1t is
unfortunate and misleading for the re-
ports to be printed that Spain has
withdrawn request or demand never
in fact made. The entire matter APP
pears to have arisen out of some sug-
gestion as to the propriety of certain
conduct just as anti official action re-
lating to the two governments may be
discussed in a friendly spirit, and with
no thought of eventualities on the sub
ject.
But in any event the incident is
closed and has no further bearing on
the general condition of affairs. The
matter of sending relief supplies To
Cuba in warships is also satisfactorily
adjusted, and so far as il ever amount
ed to an incident it also is closed.
There are the two passing occur
rences which have appeared to awaken
agitation. and being closed. ! cannot
see any substantial reason for further.
agitation.
so far as the defense bill in congress
is concerned. diplomatic etiquette pre-
cludes my discussing IL. Back of these
incidents is the vital Cuban problem,
toward which Spain has resolutely set
her face to adjust by giving the Cuban
people the most complete control of
their internal affairs. / feel confident
that an honorable settlement will re-
suit and peace be restored