The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1898-03-10
By Spain and is Flatly Refused by
President Mckinley.
THE SITUATION GROWING MORE CRITICAL.
The Cabinet Held IN Important Session
Sunday-Hearty Endorsement of Lee.
Rumors Current That Lee Has
Been Assassinated in Havana.


night says Rumors were current
here all day that Lee had been assas-
sinated, but nothing authentic has
been learned, and the report is not
credited it official circles. All the
correspondents but two have been
ordered to leave Havana, and the ca
bles are practically closed SO far as
news is concerned. Secret orders
we're sent to the fleet at Key West to-
night to be in readiness to move at
moments notice The situation to-
night is more critical than at any time
since the embroglio commenced.
The startling news today was the an
nouncement that Spain had demanded
the recall of Consul General Lee and
that American warships be not used to
carry relief to suffering Cubans.
Mckinley has promptly and fatty
refused the demands.
Consul General Fitzhugh Lee will
not be recalled from Havana.
The supplies for the reconcentrados
will be sent to Cuba in a naval vessel
despite Spain's demand to the contrary.
The president does not j ggle with
diplomatic terms to say so. His denial
to Spain is direct and unmistakable il
its terms.
The American people and Spain are
plainly told that ''the president vii
not consider the withdrawal of Lee. )"
In this incident the general opinion
here is that no casus belli exists unless
it be in the form employed or the
language used in making the request
or demand.
Language and Not the Fact.
The language and not the fact, is
what will give serious significance tc
the demand for the recall of Lee. Il
is possible that only suggestion has
been made, in which event Spain will
be able to recede from the position
she has taken. If, on the other hand,
q demand for Gen. Lees recall has
been accompanied by accusations Of
bad faith or conduct unbecoming a
public official, this government might
regard it, under the strained condi-
tions, as sufficient pretext to demand
an apology or to occupy the ports OF
Cuba with warships.
The president has been locked up
all day in the cabinet room, consult
ing chiefly with Assistant Secretary OF
State Judge Day, Secretary of War
Alger and other subordinates of the
state, war and navy departments.
Mckinley is showing the strain to a
terrible extent and one can trace IN
his pale and care-worn face the sus
pense and mental agony through
which he is passing. The hard facts
are that the Mckinley administration
has determined under no condition to
withdraw its fearless and efficient of
fetal at the seat of the threatened
trouble.
The following is statement given
out, after cabinet meeting, in regard
to the requested recall of Consul Gen
eral Lee:
''The president will not consider
the recall of General 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
Cuban people, all arrangements have
been made to carry consignment this
week from Key West by one of the
naval vessels, whichever may be best
adapted and most available for the
purpose, to Matanza and Saguas."
Pope is Advocating Arbitration.
The pope is doing all in his power to
induce Spain to accept arbitration upon
the Cuban question, but Sagasta does
not dare consent, for fear of military
leaders who are clamoring for war.
The queen regent is powerless to act
except with the consent of her cabinet
Press dispatches are rigidly suppressed
so that the people will not learn of the
war preparations in the United States.
War feeling in Spain is most intense.