The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-03-08
THE OBJECTION
Washington, March 7, 1898

There were no less than five import
ant events to-day having IL bearing
more or less direct upon the troublcd
relations between the United States
and Spain, viz: The introduction in
Congress by Mr.. Cannon OF 4 resolution
carrying $50,000,000 for the public de-
fence, the withdrawal by the Spanish
government of its intimated objection
to the continuance in Office of Consul
General Lee, the order to the cruiser
Montgomery to proceed TO Havana in
place of The Fern, the passage OF the
bill through the House increasing the
artillery arm by two regiments and the
institution of negotiations looking to
the purchasing of warships for our
navy.
MIR. Cannon's resolution probably
led all other topics in interest, particu-
larly when 1t became known that It wac
the result of a conference between the
author, the President, Senator Hale.
and other leading spirits in Congress.
las for General Lees case the news OF
the satisfactory ending OF the incident
through the withdrawal OF the sugges-
ton by Spain was expected as soon as
it was noted that Il loophOlc had been
left open through the failure 10 make
the complaint in anything like an oni
cial shape. Some fear is expressed
that the Consul General will not find
his post very congenial, now that he
knows that he is an unwelcome guest
in Havana, but the administration is
relying upon his devotion TO the well
fare of the Americans in Cuba and
American Interests generally to submit
his own personal wishes to restraint
and remain at his post
LEES RECALL DISAVOWED.
Late in the afternoon Senor DuBosc,
the Spanish charse, received a cipher
cable from the Minister OF State, AZ
Madrid, ScnOr Gullon, saying:
You can disavow the rumor that
any official application has been made
for the recall of General Lee"
This confirmed Mr.. du i3Gsc's view that
a misapprehensiOn had occurred. and
that some intimation concerning Gtne-
raj Lee had been construed into a re-
quest or demand f5r his recall, which
Mr.. duI'0sc says with positivencss WAS
never ir;cnded.
THE OBJECTION TO GENERAL LEE
1t is lcarnr Il that phc Spanish OhieC-
sion CT Consul General Lee Is based
bans, and some OF his utterances which
have found their way into print. 1t is
undorS:JIl thut the Spani;rlGls also take
exceptions 10 the frisndly relations and
cumpanionShip existing betw Gene
raj Lee and correspondents OF papers.
which have been decid 5dly unfricndly 10
Spain. II is believed shat SeROr de-
Lone carried to Spain papers and in
formatCn calculated to make the Span
ish government request the recall of
Consul General Lee
MIR. C:ANNON'S RESOLUTION.
AS there has been no explanation so
far for the purpose which prompted thc
Introduction tHf Mr.. Cannon's resolution
it may be said that the money is want
ed primarily as an emergency fund 1t
Is said by officials who will have the
disposition Clf this treasure that il by
MO means fellows because Congress
places such a. sum of money i'm the c,n-
troll OF the Prcs,iden: that ne will feel
bound to spend all of it, Those who
look for Wholesale purchase of war
ships flrm the bargain counters of Eu-
ropean builders are likely TO he disap-
pointed. The Navy Department at pres
ent is inclined ito make but one purchase
OF this KIND, at first. at least, in the
shape Of Il substantial jrOnclad 1t does
desire TO Ett possession OF several Of
the larger class Sf torpedo boat destroy
ers. such as ihc Sokul. OF the Russian
navy, vessels Of 300 tons. able to keep
1h' sea IN bad weather, n weak point
with our own boats, and capahe of
enormous speed. such as 80 knots But
such Graf: are NOT M sale at all times:
they are built to order generally and
could not be procured in this mann r in
less than six months from tho date OF
contract @ven in Europe unless special
prices were paid
There is no disposition on the part
of th" Navy Department to lumber tho
navy with a lot of unservicca hlc craft
in n spasm Vt fear. but rather 10 xe;
a few of TN hest vessels TO be had.
OFFERS OF SHIPS.
The offers Of ships to the Navy De
partm5nt arc n'1w assuming definite AMI
formal shape. During the day S.crc
tary Long received a. call from 4 p.
Lane, representing the Maxim Norden
fc.dt company. and the agent for sevc-
raj war vessels now nearing c1nDIe;lcn
in large foreign shipyards Tines, in
c!ude TWO cruisers OF the tyne Of the
Cincinnat.i which arc dcsiyn,l IA hc
20-kn'Jt vessels and two ironclads of II
knots. which would be called third classt
,battlcshlpS urdcr our rating. Th .sa arc