Evening star., 1898-04-09
HAS IGNORED PETTY PERSECUTION
Minister Woodford Can Depart at
Any Time.
RETURN OF GENERAL LEE


in such condition that he and the men,
bers of his staff would be ready to start for
home in a few hours after having received
irstruc tions to that end.
Secretary Sherman Pays a Tribute.
Secretary Sherman, referring to the
port in Madrid that 1.-The Spanish legation
at Washington had been attacked" re-
marked today that "as every one here
knows, there is no truth in it. but, On the
contrary, the Spanish minister is highly
esteemed here, is received everywhere and
is respected by all our people. If, as
suit of pending controversies, ne shall be
recalled by his government, he will carry
with him the kindly regard Of the Prcsi-
dent and the members of the cabinet, as
well as of the people generally
Secretary Shermans denial that the
Spanish legation had been attacked is in
line with official denials which the Spanish
minister himself cabled to Madrid
The minister stated today that he had
at no time attached any Importance to
the petty annoyances. 1t has been at
tributed to ignorant vandalism mainly by
small children, directed against the lega-
tion property and officials. Senior Polo has
in this matter, in all Others sought to
lessen the friction between the two gov
IdtHeT tIdn 10 increase IL. Some
of the annoyances of late have been of an
aggravating character even though petty,
and these were repeated again last night
owing to the exceptional protection
thrown around foreign legations, these in
dlgnitles might have given the minister
cause for complaint had he been disposed
to make a point against them 1t will be
recalled that an indignity to the German
cOat-Of-arrl, he Of
rupture over the Caroline Islands But
Minister Polo has preferred to minimize
THESE annoyances, and to assure his gov
ernment by cable that he was receiving
every proper consideration here
These assurances to the foreign office at
Madrid doubtless had some salutary effect
IN relieving the personal strain The min
lster was scmeW hat annoyed today at q
pCblished statement to the effect that some
attache of the legation had criticised
United States consuls for leaving their
posts IN Cuba through fear The minister
and his staff deny that any such criticisms
Rave been made, and they feel that this
misrepresents the care they are taking to
avoid anything which will increase the
strain of the present situation
Minister Woodford Free to Act.
nent that United States Minister Wood
ford at Madrid has not been actually re-
called, it was admitted that he had been
given full discretion to govern his move-
nents by the progress of events at the
Spanish capital 1t was further explained
that under his Instructions it will not be
Necessary 10 formally recall him. as he is
already authorized to leave Spain at the
beginning of any trouble between that
country and the United States.
He has informed the department of his
purpose Of remaining at his post Of duty
so long there is any possibility of his
rendering any service to his government
Consequently unless the conditions at Mad
rid endangcr his personal safety it is NOR,
than probable that he will remain there no
to the time of the beginning of hostilities
between the two countries, if such a condi-
ton results from the present crisis 1t is
understood here that Gen. Woodford IS per-
sonally very popular in the Spanish cap
ital, ard that the authorities would leave
nothing undone to insure his safety, even
after an outbreak with the country
which be represents. Mrs. Woodford and
the other members of her family have al
ready taken their departure from Spain.
In the event that it became necessary
Gen. Woodford and the members of HI;
official family will seek the protection of
the British embassy until such time as
they could take their departure without
molestation.
Return of Gen. Lee.
The expectation of the officials of the
State Department is that Consul General
Lee and all the other consular officers OF
the United States in Cuba as we'll as most
of the Americans resident on that island,
will have reached Key West or some other
convenient American port by tonight or to-
morrow night at the very latest.
The latest information at the department
was to the effect that General Lee would
leave Havana about / o'clock today, either
on the naval transport Fern or on one of
the steamers of the Plant Line probably
the Olivette. The understanding here is
that General Lee will not take his depart
ure. however. until he is satisfied of the
entire safety of his official associates and
American citizers generally in the Cuban
capital.
Consequently there Is reason for the be-
iief that all the consular officers of the
UEiIeG States in Cuba and all the Ameri-
can citizens who desire to do so will have
left that isisnc and be either III the United
States or aboard vessels bound thither by
tomorrow at the latest.
Arrangements have been made for plac-
ing the effects of the various consulates
under tie care of the consular represen-
tatives of Great Britain until steps can
be taken for their removal to the United
States.
1t Is expected that TIE consular officers
will bring all their important archives
home with them. According to officials of
the State Department, the withdrawal of
United States consular officers from Cuba
cannot be considered a belligerent act be-
ing resorted to simply as measure of pre-
caution, based on humanitarian motives.
Secretary Sherman at 2:45 o'clock this
afternoon had not received word from Con-
sui General Lee that he had left Havana.
The Secretary stated, however, that he ex-
pected to hear at any time that the consul
general had taken his departure in pur-
sns.lce 20 orders.
American Consnls In Spain.