Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-10
POSITION OF GEN. LEE
He BELIEVES THAT THE AUTONo-
Nrsrs DESIRED HIS RECALL.
HE HAS no INTENTION OF. RESICNING
i8e u Cool aud Good-Humored'
Though Somewhat Impatient OF
sepsntion.I stories-RiS Protection
Observation-Disclosures Notes.

HABANA via KEY WEST. FLA"
March s.-Habana escaped the excitement
OF Sunday last. which seems TO have
reached n high pitch at Key West ana
elsewhere.
Consul-General Lee was not ADVISED
from the state Department OF the re-
quest from Madrid FOR his recall or OK
the withdrawal Of the request. lntorma-
ton as 10 both points was furnished 10
him by the correspondent Of the Asso-
ciated Press
In the absence OF particulars, Generai
Lee believes that the request was due
20 the Autonomists, who probably al
legged that he was not a believer In su-
tonomy as ii exists here, and therefore
asked his removal, in order to get
stumbling block out OF the way.
Consu.-Gereral Lee is on the best oil
terms with General Blanco Senior Jose
Congosto. and the most influential Span
ish merchants All assure him Of alb
solute protection, even II the volunteers
should make n demonstration.
General Lee believes the volunteers
I'm whose employ they are Others DOUBT
this. but the ranking colonel of the vol
unteers assures General Lee that the
consulate and the Americans would IN
no event be the object of demonstrd-
ton, should any occur.
General Lee is no more anxious 10 re-
main in a vexatious position than any
other consul In Cuba but he has no IN.
tention Of resigning nor any BELIEF that
ne Will be recalled. He Is cool. good
humored. and somewhat impatient Of
the sensational and untruthful reports
emanating from Habana and Key west
me volunteers are apparently more
quiet. since they were assured by the
government here and by Madrid officials
that there Is no intention 20 disarm or
disband the corps.
The Habana battalions have been sup
ported in their protest by comrades OF
the same corps throughout Cuba.
MAINE COURT KILLING TINE.
The Court Of Inquiry pursues its tacti-
turn and even secretive way. The belief
here Is that the court is principally en-
gagged now in killing time, and IT is not
likely 10 20 North until next week. II Is
said the members are strengthening the
testimony daily by personal observations
of the wreck, ana CdretullY prepared
plans made by Ensign PowelsOn from the
almost hourly reports of the divers. The
court now has photographs, drawings,
and diagrams showing as nearly as posi-
BILE the condition of things submarine.
The Montgomery is so much smaller
than the Vizcaya or the Almirante
Oquendo that It is apparent to every one
that she was not sent in a warlike mood,
but only 10 replace the Fern. There is
no apprehension among naval officers
that the Montgomery will share the fate
)f the Maine.
With reference to the secrecy observed
as 70 the wrecking work or portions Of
before the court of inquiry, a
nigh naval or1cer says there is no special
reason for maintaining secrecy, except
he fact that the bare statements of com
Darstiyely unimportant incidents are ex-
iggerated by some and worked up into
dangerous sensational stories. In view
Of this, said the officer in question, il
was deemed best TO command absolute
reserve on the part Of all concerned with
he court examination or the work of
senator Proctor. before leaving to-day
by the Onvette, said
You may say that my visit-call it a
mission of pleasure or business, or what
you will-has been very successful. ] can
not speak on political subjects pertaining
10 cuba mere and now"