Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-12
THE WEEK.

1t was announced from Madrid Sunday
that the Spanish foreign office had init
mated to Ambassador Woodford that Spain
would regard it as a graceful act in the
interest of peace for President Mckinley
to recall Consul General Lee from Havana;
at the same time it was intimated that the
sending of relief supplies to the starving
Cubans in American warships would be re-
garded as an unfriendly act on the part of
the United States: President Mckinley
piled that under no circumstances would
he agree to recall General Lee, being en-
tirely satisfied with his official conduct at
Havana. The order detailing the cruisers
Nashville and Montgomery to carry sup
plies to Cuba was revoked and the dis
patch boat Fern was designated to per-
form the service By unanimous vote in
both houses Congress appropriated $50, 000
600 to be placed in the hands of the Presi-
dent to take such precautions he might
see fit to place the country in a position of
defense in case of war. Active prepara-
tons for conflict were pushed by both
the army and navy. The bill providing for
two additional regiments of artillery was
passed and became a law Active enlist
ment for both the army and navy was car
ried on in most of the large cities. Com
mander w. II. Brownson. U. S. N, was
sent to Europe to negotiate for the pur-
chase of warships available for service in
case of war. 1t was rumored that Spain
had succeeded in purchasing two cruisers
lIOH bTaZll ana three more from Chile,
but these rumors were subsequently denied
and ii was reported that the United States
mad succeeded in securing the same YES
sels, the rumor was that Spain had Sc
cured the necessary funds to make pur-
chases of warships from French ffnanciers.
Rumors of a French-Spanish alliance were
contradicted and reaffirmed. There was
considerable newspaper comment on q ru-
mored alliance between the United States
and Great Britain, visit OF the British
ambassador furnishing the basis for the
report. At Havana the court of inquiry
continued its work, and it was unotficiaIiy
announced that it's report was about ready
to be forwarded to the President; all the
unofhcial rumors and reports tended to
confirm those previously sent out from Ha-
vana to the effect that the court had dis
covered unmistakab,e evidence that the
blowing up of the Maine was caused by a
mine or torpedo exploded under her port
side forward. Senior Peral president of the
Spanish court of inquiry investigating the
cause OF the disaster, was quoted as saying
the explosion was due to internal causes.
The cruiser Montgomery took the place of
the Fern at Havana in connection with the
work of the court of inquiry. Prince AL
bert OF Belgium, heir apparent to the
throne of that country, reached Washing
ton in the course Of his tour to America
and received distinguished attentions from
the President and other officials The
American schooner Esther was seized in
Cuban waters by the Spanish gunboat Ar
della whose captain inquired the reason of
her presence there; the Esther's captain
protested against the seizure. A number of
political prisoners at Havana were sent to
Cabanas fortress. The new Spanish minis
ter, Senior Bernabe, arrived in Washington
The Senate passed the bill for the relief of
the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ten
nessee. appropriating s2SS. 900. Striking en-
ployes in several New England cotton mills
returned to work without getting the in
crease demanded. General w. S. Rose
Grams. the famous veteran of the war of
the rebellion. died on his rancho near Rem
dondo, Cal.
Signor Felice Carlo Cavallotti, poet
dramatist and legislator, was killed In a
sword duel at Rome by Signor Macola, a
fellow-member of the chamber of depu-
ties and editor of the Gazzetta iii Vene-
zia. Colonel Henry was wounded on the
elbow Ill sword duel in Paris with Col
oEel Picquart, whom he recently denounc-
ed at the Zola trial. The Austrian cabinet
resigned. and Count Won Thun Hohenstein
was intrusted with the task of forming a
new one. 1t was announced that the six
remaining Irish political prisoners in En-
glish jails would be released in June. Mica
raguan and Costa Rican troops were re-
ported to have met in battle OH the border
of those two countries. The Nicarag,lan
congress adjourned until August, 1880 The
Nicafaguan canal commission began an in
spection Of the Panama canal. An ukase
was issued by the car ordering the dis