New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-08
SPANS ATTITUDE CHANGED.
LEE WILL LREMAIN IN HAVANA
REQUEST FOR THE CONSUL GENERALS
RECALL WITHDRAWN.

REQUEST FOR THE CONSUL GENERALS
RECALL WITHDRAWN.
THE FERN WILL CARRY RELIEF SUPPLIES TO
CUBA AND THE MONTGOMERY WILL BE SENT
TO NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FOR THE
PURCHASE OF wARsHIPs BEGUN
ny THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Washington March There were no less
than Ave important events to-day having bear
ing more or less direct on the troubled relations
between the United States and Spain. These
were the introduction in Congress by Mr.. Can
OF a resolution carrying $5O,O00.0OO for the
public defence. the withdrawal by the Spanish
Government Of its intimated objection to the
continuance in office of Consul-General Lee. the
order for the cruiser Montgomery to proceed to
Havana in place Of the Fern. the passage
through the House Of the bill increasing the ar
tillery arm by two regiments. and the institution
of negotiations looking to the purchase Of war
ships for the Navy.
The text of Chairman Cannon's resolution I
as follows:
THAT there is hereby appropriated out of an,
money In the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
ated for the National defence. and for each and
every purpose connected Herewith. to be
pended at the discretion OF the Presids.A \ I'd
TO remain available until June 30, 1899, S50.-
100000"
As for General Lees case, the news Of the
ending Of the incident through the withdrawal
Of the suggestion by Spain was expected as
soon as it was noted that a loophoe had been
left open through the failure to make the COM
plaint In anything like an official shape Some
fear Is expressed that the ConsulGeneral will
not find his post very congenial now that he
knows he Is unwecome guest in Havana,
but the Administration Is relying on his de-
votion to the welfare of the Americans in Cuba
and American interests generally to submit his
own personal wishes to restraint and remain at
his post.
DIsAvowED FROM MADRID.
The withdrawal came this morning in the
shape OF an official communication from Minister
Woodford 1t is said that the request was
never put In the shape Of a demand. but that It
merely suggestion on the part of Spain.
and when she found that 1t would not be pleas
antly received by this country she promptly re-
ceded.
Late in the afternoon Sehor Du Bose, the
Spanish Charge d'Affaires, received cipher ca
BILE dispatch from the Minister Of State at
Madrid Sef1or Gullon saying: You can disavow
the rumor that any official application has been
made for the recall Of General Lee"
This confirmed Senor Du Bosc's view that a
misapprehension had occurred and that some in
tmation concerning General Lee had been con-
strued into a request demand for his recall.
which Sehor Du Bose says with posltiveness.
was never intended.
Those who look for a wholesale purchase or
warships from the bargain counters Of European
IA iiraly ha Jioon Tod ha
Department at present is inclined to make only
one purchase Of this kind at first at least in the
shape OF q substantial ironclad. 1t does de-
sire to get possession of several Of the larger
class OF torpedo boat destroyers. such as the
Sokul. OF the Russian Navy. vessels Of 300 tons.
able to keep the sea in bad weather-a weak
point with American boats-and capable Of enor-
nous speed. such thirty-two knots. But such
craft are not for sale at all times They are built
to order generally and could not be procured in
this manner in less than six months from the
date OF contract. even in Europe. unless special
prices paid. There is no disposition on the
part Of the Navy Department to lumber the
Navy with a lot Of unserviceable craft In a
spasm Of fear, but rather to get a few of the
best vessels to be had.
SHIPS OFFERED TO SECRETARY LONG.
are now assuming definite and formal shape.
During the day Secretary Long received call
from a. F. Lane. representing the Maxim-Nor
denfedt Company, and the agent for several
war vessels now nearing completion In large for
egn shipyards. These include two cruisers Of
the type OF the Cincinnati which are designed
to be twenty knot vessels, and two ironclads OF
fourteen knots. which would be called third-class
battle-ships under American rating. These are
now open to purchase, and it is understood that
Mr. Lanes visit In connection with this
matter. The cruisers are $50 feet long, AZ feet
beam and 16 feet draught. They carry six O.
inch and four 5-inch guns, and an auxiliary bat
terry. The ironclads have a 1884 $4-inch bolt OF
Harveyized steel. Their armament is two 10
inch guns. four 5-inch. two 6-inch. six six
FOUNDERS and four FOUNDERS.
Mr. Lane regards these ships as first class in
every particular as they were designed on
modern principles and being built by one
Of the leading shipbudng firms of Europe
They are we'll along toward completion and all
four 1t is said, could be In commission within
a few months. They were originally designed
for one of the South American republics. but
there Is said to be no obligation which would
prevent their acquisition by the United States
Mr.. Lane recently sold to the Navy Department
sixty of the Maxim Nordenfeldt rapid-hre guns,
and his standing with officials is such as TO
give his representations to ships much
weight
THE RELIEF PROGRAMME CHANGED.
The decision Of the Navy Department con-
cernng the sending Of ships TO Cuba was made
known at o'clock this afternoon, when the
following brief statement was posted by the
Bureau OF Navigation:
Montgomery will relieve the Fern at Ha-
vana Fern will carry provisions TO Matanzas
and Sagua la Grande."
This conclusion was reached after conferences
between the officials Of the State and Navy De-