Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-03-10
Work Of the Diven at Hsvana-Blg Squad.
ron Getting Ready at Key West
Another Warship Going
to Havana.

gomery to proceed to Havana in place
of the Fern; the passage through the
house of the bill increasing the artil
lery arm by two regiments, and the
institution of negotiations looking tt
the purchase OF warships for our navy,
Mr.. Cannon's resolution probably led
oil other topics in interest, particular.
ly when it became known that it was
the result of conference between the
author, the president, Senator Hale
sand other leading spirits in congress.
As for Gen. Lees case, the news Of the
satisfactory ending Of the incident
through the withdrawal of the sug.
gestion by Spain was expected as soon
as it was noted that loophole had
been left open through the failure to
make the complaint in anything like
official form.
Late in the afternoon Senior DuBosc,
the Spanish charge, received cipher
cable from the minister of state at
Madrid, Senior Gullon saying: You
can disavow the rumor that any off.
cial application has been made for the
recall of Gen. Lee"
This confirmed Mr. DuBosc's view
that a Misrepresentation had occurred,
and that some intimation concerning
Gen. Lee had been construed into a
request or demand for his recall,
which Mr.. DuBosc says with positive
ness was never intended.
. The appropriation Of $50, OOO. 900 for
the national defense for which provi-
sion was made in the bill introduced
in the house yesterday by Mr.. Cannon,
will not involve the issue of bonds.
This announcement was made by the
treasury officials, who stated that the
treasury was amply prepared to meet
any demands that will likely be made
upon it. On February the cash in
the treasury amounted to 1856, SIT, 1855,
OF which 500, O6S,97l was gold, $511,-
s5S,S4O silver. lO7,5d4,9 5S paper cur
rency and SS3, O94, oO2 in disbursing Of
flcers' balances, etc. The net available
cash on hand above al. liabilities
amounts to 1925, 564, 20S.
1t is not felt at the navy department
that the people of the Montgomery are
taking any particular risk in going to
Havana at this time, for it is said that,
even should hostilities break out, it is
rule OF honorable warfare that they
be given safe convoy out Of the waters
of the hostile country. OF course, Gen.
Lee and the members Of the court Of
inquiry at Havana would be equally
exempt from molestation.
Without delay the officers Of the ad-
jutant general department yesterday
gave the necessary orders for the re-
cruiting Of the new artillery regiments
authorized by congress. The purpose
Is to enlist such members as have had
service in the artillery wherever posi-
BILE, and no doubt is entertained that
plenty of material Of the right kind
will offer.
FEvERIsH STATE OF WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, March S.-A highly
feverish condition prevailed in Wash
ington yesterday in reference to the
Spanish question. The announcement
that Spain had asked for the recall of
Consul General Lee raised the patriot
ic feeling Of congress to its highest
pitch and the backdown Of the Span
ish government has not materially
abated the strain. The condition is
best described by likening it to that
of uncertainty and reserved feeling
preceding the firing on Fort Sumter.
1t is feared that war is imminent.
Reliable snformation from Havana
Is to the effect that the report of the
naval court of inquiry has found
almost unmistakable evidence that the
Maine was exploded by a mine. The
strongest reason in support Of this
theory, aside from the information to
that effect received by various chan
nels is that the report of the court is
not made public. The argument is
that, If the court had found the ex-
plosion to be from internal causes, it
would have been made known with
little delay. From this comes the in
ference that both sides are trying to
gain time to get ready. The impress
sion is growing stronger day by day
that some incident is likely to precipi-
tate conflict at almost any time.
WORK OF THE DIVERS.
HAVANA, March s.-The court of in
curry held its usual sessions yesterday,
examining Ensign Powellson and the
divers plans. The Spanish divers work
when they desire to do So The day
was beautiful and the wreckers ad-
vanced steadily in clearing away the
debris. Many articles Of personal value
to the officers Of the Maine are recov-
cred from time TO time The wreckers
and divers when below work hard.
The Maine was exceptionally high be-
tween decks, which makes the effort
of getting out the bodies more diff
cult rney rioat to the ceInngs and
are entangled in the debris. Capt.
Sampson and Judge Advocate Mark
spent some time on the wreck yester-
day. The former says he has no knowl-
edge as to when the court will leave Ha-
vana.
BIC SQUADRON GETTING READY.
KEY WEST, Fla, March S-The
American colony in Havana Is in
feverish state of excitement Rumors