The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-03-12

Spain, and when she found that it would
not be pleasantly received by this coun-
try she promptly receded.
1t is learned that the Spanish objec-
ton to Consul General Lee is based
upon his sympathy for the Cubans and
some of his utterances which have
found their way into print
Cruiser to Go to Havana.
The navy department. announced yes
terday that the cruiser Montgomery
would relieve the dispatch boat Fcrr,
at Havana and that the Fern would
carry provisions and relief supplies to
Matnnzas and Sagua La Grandc. This
is understood to be u satisfactory ar
rangcment to the Spanish government
and will relieve the incident of its irri-
tatiug feature.
Lee Will DO Ills Duty.
Havana, March s.-Gcn. Fitzhugh
Lee, consul general of the United
States, was questioned yesterday re-
garding Srain's demand for his recall.
He suid 81 shall continue to do my
duty, which is to guard American in
tercsts."
Not so Wnrlike.
Washington, March 9.-In spite OF
numerous conferences of officials, OF
the continuation Of the preparations
now In progress on large scale to put
the country in Il state of defense, of the
cutburst of patriotic speeches in con-
greSs, there was Il certain feeling np-
parent in the best informed circles that
the situation as to our relations with
Spain is much more favorable than it
was. Perhaps The Sem-oilicial adyices
received from Madrid, Indicating
peaceful purpose on the part of the
Spanish government contributed in
large measures to that feeling, or it
may have been that the growing know!-
edge of the vast extent of our own re-
sources tended to the belief that they
would impress others with the fntility
Of attacking the United Suites. How
ever that may be. the feeling prevailed
and ut the white house, too. after the
cabinet meeting, wherein all of tho
facts that were known to the president
rs to the existing state of affairs were
laid unrcsrr,cdly before the cabinet
members and discussed.
Nothin. h""wn Officially.
Three weeks ago the Maine was blown
up. AS it WIS last week at this time, so
1t is now, nothing is known officially as
to the cause of the disaster The
court is ut work hard. That is
all that is known at the navy
department. 1t is not even known
when 1t may he expected to finish it's
work. But the Importance Of its re-
port does not diminish in the slightest
degree by the lapse of time, and in tho
midst Of diversions caused by more re-
cent happenings the more thoughtful
officials have not lost sight of the fact
that when the report Of the court of in
qniry comes to the navy department in
the hands of some trusty naval officer,
probably Lieutenant Commander Mark
himself the Judge advocate of the court,
the government may be face to face
with another and vital issue.
Talk. of the situation.
Senior Du Bose, when seen mt the
Spanish legation and asked as to the
present status Of affairs, said:
notwithstanding the apparent agitation,
] am gratfied to note that so far as
ucLIal occurrences are concerned, they nrO
adjusting themselves naturally and In n
manner most satisfactory to both Eovern-
monts. The Lee incident Is closed, If, In
deed. 1t was ever open. At most It was
msapprchcnsion of what actually occurred.
! am directly authorized by Senior Cullen
the minister of foreign affairs to deny that
any demand or request has ever been
made for the recall of Consul General Lee
and 1t is unfortunate and misleading for
the reports to be printed that Spain has
withdrawn a request or demand never in
fact made. The entire matter appears to
have arisen out Of some suggestion as to
the proprlety of certain conduct Just as
any official action relating to two govern
aud with no thought OF cvcntualltics ON the
subject. But. In any event. tho Incident
Is closed aud has no further bearing on
the general condition Of affairs
THE matter OF sending relief supplies to
Cuba In war ships is also satisfactorily
adjusted. and. So far as 1t ever amounted
to an incident. II. also, Is closed. These
are the two passing occurrences which have
appeared to awaken agitation. and, being
closed, l cannot see any substantial reA-
son for further agitation.
80 far ns the defense bill in congress
Is concerned. diplomatic etiquette pre-
clu1eS my discussing It. But may say,
unocially. that 1t seems to be a quite nat
tnchrd by the public to incidents. now
closed In normal times these passin;; In
cidcnts of the dny--which are Inevitable to-
diplomatic intercourse between ma tons
could not he seized upon by the radical
branch of the press to infunie public opln-
ion"
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