The record-union., 1898-03-21

and Then Backed Down--State-
ment That Dom Carlos Will Re-
sign His Claims in Favor OF His
Som and That the Latter Will
Announce Himself as Pre-
tender Are Doubtful.
MADRID, March s. Correspondence
of the Associated Press)-The Madrid
papers, with few exceptions, have dur
ing the past few days been trying to
convince the public that there never
was any question of General Fitzhugh
Lees recall from Havana. The facts
in the case, however are exactly as
cabled to the Associated Press.
Senior Sagasta, in conversation with
General Woodford, did suggest that
friendship and good will between the
two countries would be promoted were
General Lee to be recalled, and after
consulting his Government General
Woodford did inform the Premier that
such a 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
telegraphed by them abroad is. to those
familiar with methods in Madrid, con-
elusive evidence that it 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 the authenticity.
The "Globo,' the Spanish Ministerial
organ. in a leading article to-day. says
it can only mislead those who are ig-
norant of the traditional sensitiveness
of the Stock Exchange, adding that nei-
ther the Government nor public opin-
ion should pay greater attention to the
phenomenon than it merits.
The present blow" it continues
comes from Paris, and is due to two
absurd rumors, namely, that the United
States Government refused to remove
General Lee at the request of the Span
ish Government, and that no lesser
person than his Holiness, Pope Leo
XIII has. through his Secretary of
State, committed himself to favorable
Z X
insurgents. The first has no basis
whatever, the Government having nei-
ther officially nor indirectly suggested
Lees removal; the latter. we opine
arises from Cardinal Cascajare's pas
toral, but it is well known shat the said
pastoral has not been we'll received at
Rome
The 'ImparciaT' refers to the General
r 90 1.l11l1 81
NAL of the truth as accounting 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 Senor
Sagasta. however, it says
We presume the Ministers have re-
assuring information which discounts
in their minds the panic reigning in
financial circles"
But" it adds, "if they have not
what frightful responsibility lies upon
them. We do not wish to admit it.
nor even to think of it, for if the day
should come when war is inevitable
and the present Government TRANQUIL
lty turns out to be neglect and want
of foresight, then the foreign question
will be as nothing compared to the
home one started in our midst. AS
we have already pointed out. the most
dangerous thing which can happen is
that the nation should imagine the
Government is neglecting defense of
our honor or our interests
With respect to the affair of General
Lee, the Pals" says: 1T is quite clear
the Government is determined to live
as divorced as possible from public
opinion, and it carries out this plan
with a consistency worthy of a better
cause. AT the very moment when the
whole of Spain-or rather the whole
of Europe-is rejoicing at the rumors
of complaints addressed by the Span
ish Government to that of the United
States, our Minister of State labors TO
prove that no such complaints have
ever been made, and that the Govern
ment has not even incidentally occu-
pied itself with the affairs.
The people doubt the truth of these
statements. We do not We prefer to
credit them rather than suspect what
must otherwise have happened. that
the Government made the complaint.
but in face of the insolent refusal of the
Yankees to make satisfaction, had not
the courage to abide by them. Never
thelesS, the rumors, we must admit.
look true. All the world believes in
their authenticity and those who do
not are OF the opinion that they ought
to be true"
Referring to the slump" in Spanish 5s
the Liberal characterizes as absurd
the action attributed to the Pope. His
lofty prudence is recognized all the
world over
Nor does it credit the Lee rumors
with being the real cause of the fall
THE real origin" it says, lis to be
found in the prominent state of alarm
under which the Spanish and European
people have lived for some time in the
| tension Of mind; in the cloud of sus-
picion with which they are surrounded: /:
in the feverish excitement which leads
them to take precaution against a rup-
ture and in the angry restIessness
! which pervades all unknown dangers.
Step by step, almost unconsciously. we
/ and they have reached a state of armed
| peace, Tot less ruinous and probably
| more demoraizing than actual war
While the nations are in this position
we may at least expect some falls
without the necessity of a concrete fact
F, bringing them about Undoubtedly our
! relati ons with the United States are
| daily accommodating themselves to the
strict dictates of prudence and dill
gence: but, does that Governm ent really
believe the nation can, without suf-