The record-union., 1898-03-09

ket, and unduly exposing the eastern
coast There has also been talk of or
ganizing a flying squadron composed
altogether Of fleet cruisers four in num-
Der, and having them ready TO go &c
sea at a moments notice in pursuit Of
an enemy's ship, relying upon the big
battleships for the home guard. This.
however, has not been decided upon
a proposition that received instant
attention, and is expected to be ap-
proved in the end, came to the Navy
Department to-day This was to turn
over TO the Navy Department ten of the
best boats in the lighthouse service
These boats are from 400 to 800 tons
burden, good sea boats. manned ty
officers thoroughly familiar with every
inGention of the Atlantic Coast, ami
capable of being easily transformed into
efficient gunboats The Mangrove Is
a vessel Of this character, new, stanch
and speedy 1t is proposed to place
a 6-inch rifle on a pivot mount on each
vessel forward and TO place a light
armor around the borders and machln-
cry to protect them from small rams
fire at least The attention Of the de-
partment has also been called TO the
feasibility of recruiting the naval list
| from the revenue marine cutters Il
number of which are fully equal. be-
ing given arms, TO the smaller type Of
gunboats now in the service. If these
vessels were availed of they could De
assigned to duty along the southern
coast. maintaining blockades and re-
lieving the larger and more expensive
cruisers Of much wearisome duty
Arrangements were perfected at the
Navy Department to-day for the relief
of the dispatch boat Fern at Havana
by the cruiser Montgomery of Admiral
Slcard's squadron, now at Key West.
The Montgomery will relieve the Fern
tomorrow morning, SO that the latter
vessel may arrive at Key West on
| Wednesday evening. in ample time to
receive the food supplies from New
York which are due there on that day.
There viii be no delay in the departure
OF the Fern on her eIrand of mercy.
The Fern has been stationed at Ha-
vana since a day or SO after the dis
aster to the Maine, and her principal
functions for the last week or ten days
has been as a practical floating dock
for the use of the divers
Senior Dubosie, the Spanish repre-
sentative at Washington, when seen at
the Spanish Legation to-day and asked
as to the present status of affairs. said:
Notwithstanding the apparent agdta-
ton, | am gratified to note that so far
as actual occurrences are concerned
they are adjusting themselves natur-
ally. and in a manner most satisfactory
to both Governments. The Lee Incl
dent is closed, if, indeed, it was ever
open. At most it was a misapprehen-
sion of what actually occurred | am
directly authorized by Senior Gullon,
the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to
deny that any demand or request
has ever been made for the recall of
Consul-General Lee. and it is unfor-
tunate and misleading for the reports
to be printed that Spain has withdrawn
request or demand never in fact
made. The entire matter appears to
have arisen out of some suggestion as
TO the propriety of certain conduct Just
as anti-official action relating to the
two Governments may be discussed in
friendly spirit. and with no thought
of eventuaities on the subject. But. in
any event, the incident is closed. and
has no further bearing on the general
condition of affairs
The matter of sending relief supplies
to Cuba in warships is also satisfactor-
lily adjusted, and. so far as it ever
amounted to an incident it also is
closed. These are the two passing oc-
currences which have appeared to
awaken agitation, and being closed.
cannot see any substantial reason for
further agitation.
SO far as the defense bill in Con-
gress is concerned. diplomatic etiquette
precludes my discussing it, But | NAV
say, unofficially, that it seems to be
a quite natural result from the undue
Importance attached by the public to
incidents now closed. In normal times
these passing incidents of the day
which are inevitable to diplomatic in
tercourse between nations-could not
be seized upon by the radical branch OF
the press to tntiame public opinion.
BACK OF these passing incidents is
the vital Cuban problem, toward which
Spain has resOutely set her face TO
ADJUST by giving the Cuban people the
most complete control of their internal
affairs. | know with what profound
solcltude Premier Sagasta and his as
sociates are seeking 10 accomplish the
peace and prosperity of Cuba on a ba-
sis alike honorable to the island and
TO the mother country and through
such heroic efforts / feel confident that
an honorable settlement WIN result and
peace be restored"