The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-10
REQUEST FOR RECALL
BELIEVES IT WAS PROMPTED
BY THE AUTONONISTS.
NO DANGER TO HIM FROM VOLUNTEERS
Assurances That Consulate Will be PrOtected--
The Court Of Inquiry Taciturn and Secre-
tive Lest RumOrs be Exaggerated
"A Word From Proctor.

Havana, March 9.-Via Key West
Havana escaped the excitement of Sun
day last which seems to have reached
a high pitch at Key West and elsewhere.
Consul General Lee was not advised
from the State Department Of the re-
quest from Madrid for his recall, nor OF
the withdrawal of the request. lnfor-
nation as to both points WAS furnished
to him by the correspondent of the AssO-
ciated Press. In the absence of partic
ulars General Lee believes that the re-
quest was prompted by the AutonomIsts,
who probably alleged that he was not
believer in autonomy as it exists here,
and therefore asked his removal, in CT
der to get a stumbling block out of the
way.
Consul General Lee is on the best of
terms with General BlancO, Senior Jose
CongOstO and the most influential Span
ish merchants. All assure him of abso-
lutte protection, even If the volunteers
should make Il demonstration. General
Lee believes the volunteers would be
controlled by the merchants in whose
employ they are. Others doubt this, Duf
lliC IdllhIiiE NDiOArNi VI lAIC NOAuhANIAO as
sures General Lee that his Consulate
and the Americans would in no event be
the object of a demonstration should any
occur. General Lee is no more anxious
to remain in n vexatiOus position than
any other Consul in Cuba, but ne has
mo intention Of resigning nor any belief
that he will recalled. He is cool, good
humOred and somewhat inpatient of the
nj fin,,oI Ia ft1I
anating from Havana or Key West. The
volunteers are apparently more quiet
since they were assured by the govern
ment here and by Madrid officials that
there is no intention to disarm or dis
band the corps. The Havana battalons
have been supported in their protest by
comrades of the same corps throughout
Cuba.
The Court of Inquiry pursues its tacti-
turn and even secfetive way. The belief
is that the court is principally engaged
now in killing time and is not likely to
go North Until next week. 1t is certain
that the members are strengthening the
testimony daily by personal observation
of the wreck and the carefully prepared
plans made by Ensign POwelsOn from
the almost hourly reports of the divers.
The court now has photographs, draw
ings and diag grams showing as near as
possible the condition of things subma-
rine.
What effect the presence of the Mont
gOmery will have here no one win he
able to tell until she has been here sew.
eral days. She is so much smaller than
the Vizaga or the Almirante Oquendo
that it is apparent to every one that she
was not sent in n warlike mood. but
only to replace the Fern. There is no
apprehension among Naval officers that
the Montgomery will share the fate Of
the Maine.
With reference to the secrecy observed
as to the wrecking work and portions
of the testimony before the Court of
Inquiry, a high Naval officer. says there
is no special reason for maintaining Sc
crecy except the fact that the bare state
ments of comparatively unimpOrtant in
cidents are exaggerated by some and
worked up into dangerous sensational
stories. In view of this, said the off
Ger in question. it was deemed best to
command absolute reserve on the part
of all connected with the court examin-
alton or the work of salvage.
Senator Proctor. before leaving to-day
by the Olivette said:
You may say that my visit, call it n
mission of pleasure or business or what
you will, has been very successful.
cannot speak on political subjects per.
talnmg to Cuba, here and now"