The herald., 1898-03-21
A FALL IN PRICES
SEEMS TO HAVE SCARED THE
SPANIARDS
PROMPT DENIAL MADE
OF REQUEST FOR THE RECALL OF
GENERAL LEE
THE ACTIONS OF DON JAIME
Rouse Fears Of a Carlist Uprising
More Serious in Its Results Than
a War With America
Associated Press Special Wire

MADRID, March S.-(Correspondence OF
|pers, with few exceptions, have during the
past few days been trying to convince the
public that there was never any question
of General Fitzhugh Lees recall from Ha-
vana. The facts in the case, however, are
exactly as cabled to the Associated Press
Senor Sagasta, in conversation with Gen
eral Woodford, did suggest that friend
ship and good will between the two coun-
tries would be promoted were General Lee
to be recalled, and. after consulting his
government, General Woodford did inform
the premier that such step could not be
considered. Nothing would have been
known of the affair had it not been that
some one in the Spanish foreign office
confided the information to the official
news agency of Spain-the Fabra agency.
The fact that this agency received it,
and that the censor allowed it to be tele-
graphed by them abroad is, to those ia
miliar with methods in Madrid, conclusive
evidence that 1t was correct. 1t was only
when the effect this news produced In
America was cabled back here, and after
there was a fall on the bourse, that there
was any question Of denying its authen-
ticity.
The Globe, the Spanish ministerial Or
gan in leading article today, says 1t can
only mislead those who are ignorant Of the
traditional sensitiveness of the stock ex-
change, adding that neither the govern
ment nor public opinion should pay greater
attention to the phenomenon than its
merits.
"The present blow, it continues, comes
from Paris, and is due to two absurd ru-
-mors, namely, that the United States gov
ernment refused to remove General Lee al
the request of the Spanish government
and that no lesser person than his holiness,
Pope Leo XIII, has, through his secretary
of state. committed himself to favorable
statements with regard to the Cuban in
surgents. The first has no basis what.
ever the government having neither OFF,
cially nor indirectly suggested Lees re-
moval; the latter, we opine, arises from
Cardinal Cascajeres' pastoral, but 1t Is
well known that the said pastoral has ont
been we'll received at Rome"
The Imparcial refers to the General Lee
rumor and to the government denial Of the
truth as to account for the fall in prices.
1t declines to decide on which side the truth
really lies.
Commenting on the tranquility Of the
government, and especially on Senior Sa-
gasta, however, 1t says:
1--WE presume the ministers have reas-
surfing information which discounts in
their minds the panic reigning in financial
circles.
But" it adds, 'If they have not, what
a frightful responsibility lies on them. We
do not wish to admit 1t. nor even to think
1t, for If the day should come when war is
inevitable and the present government
tranquility turns out to be neglect and
want of foresight, then the foreign ques-
ton will be as nothing compared to the
home one started in our midst. AS we
have already pointed out, the most danger
Gus thing which can happen Is that the ma :
ton should imagine the government is neg
lecting either the defense Of our honor or
our interests"
With respect to General Lee the Pals
says: ut is quite clear the government
Is determined to leave us divorced from
public opinion, and 1t carries out this plan
with q consistency worthy Of better
cause. At the very moment when the
whole of Spain-or rather the whole of Eu-
rope-is rejoicing at the rumors of COM
plants addressed by the Spanish govern
ment to that of the United States, our min
lister of state labors to prove that no such
complaints have ever been made and that
the government has ont incidentally oc-
cupied itself with the affair."
1.-THE people doubt the truth of these
statements. We do not. We prefer tc
credit them rather than suspect what must
otherwise have happened-that the govern.
ment made the complaint, but in face OF
the insolent refusal of the Yankees tc
make satisfaction, had not the courage tc
abide by them. Nevertheless, the rumors
we must admit, look true All the world
lieves in their authenticity, and those who
do not are of the opinion that they ought
to be true''
Referring to the slump in Spanish
fours, the Liberal characterizes as absurd
the action attributed to the pope.
"IIis lofty prudence is recognized all thu
world over"
Nor does 1t credit the Lee rumors with
being the real cause of the fall. "The rea
origin" it says, "is to be found in the prom
inent state Of alarm under which the Span
ish and European people have lived fol
some time; in the tension Of mind, in tn.
cloud of suspicion with which they are sur
rounded: in the feverish excitement which
leads them to take precaution against ;
rupture and in the angry restlessnes
which pervades all unknown dangers. Stel
by step. almost unconsciously, we and the,
have reached a state Of armed peace no
less ruinous and Tar more demoralizins
than actual war. While these things con
tinue in this position we may at each ster
expect similar falls without the necessit,
Of concrete fact bringing them about
Undoubtedly our relations with the United
States are daily accommodating them.
selves to the strict dictates of prudence ani
diligence; hut, does the government reail,