Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-08

Washington, March There were no
less than five important events today
having bearing more or less direct
upon the troubled relations between the
United States and Spain, viz:
The introduction in congress by Mr..
Cannon of a resolution carrying $50,O00,-
900 for the public defenses; a withdraw
al by the Spanish government Of its inti-
mated objection to continuance in office
of Consul General Lee; the ordering of
the cruiser Montgomery to proceed to
Havana in place of the Fern; the pass
age through the house of the bill in
ereasing the artillery by two regiments,
and the institution of negotiations
looking to the purchase of warships for
our navy.
Mr. Cannon's resolution probably led
all other topics in interest, particularly
when it became known that it was the
result of a conference by the author, the
president, Senator Hale, and other lead
ing spirits in congress AS for Gen.
Lees case, the news of the satisfactory
ending of the incident through the
withdrawal of the suggestion by Spain,
was expected as soon as it was noted
that loophole had been left open
through the failure to make the com
plant in anything like an official shape
Some fear is expressed that the con-
sui general will not find his post very
congenal now that he knows he is an
NIeaNr llf1s1
administration is relying upon his deVo-
tion to the welfare of the Americans in
Cuba, and American interests generally,
TO submit his own personal wishes TO re-
straint and to remain at his post.
Late in the afternoon Senor du Bose,
the Spanish charge d'affaires, received a
cipher cable from the minister of state
at Madrid, Senior Gullon, saying:
you can disavow the rumor that any
official application has been made Tor
the recall of Gen. Lee"
This confirmed Senior du Bosc's view
that a misrepresentation had occurred,
and that some intimation concerning
Gen. Lee had been construed into re-
quest or demand for his recall, which
Senior du Bose says with positiveness,
was never intended.
AS there has been no explanation so
far, of the purpose which prompted the
L.
1t may be said that the money is want
ed primarily as an emergency fund. 1t
is said by officials who will have the
disposition of this money, that it by no
means follows because congress places
such a sum in the control of the presi-
dent. he will feel bound to spend
all Of it.
Those who who look for wholesale
purchase of warships from the bargain
ly to be disappointed. The navy de-
partlnent, at present, is inclined to make
but one purchase of this kind, at first,
at least, in the shape of a substantial
ironclad. 1t does desire TO get possess
sion of several of the larger class OF
torpedo boat destroyers such as the
Sokul, Of the Russian navy, vessels Of
300 tons, able to keep the sea in bad
weather. a weak point with our own
boats, and capable of enormous speed,
such as 50 knots.
But such craft are not for sale at all
times; they are built to order generally,
and could not be procured in this man
ner in less than six months from the
date of contract, unless special prices
were paid. The offers of ships to the
navy department are now assuming
definite and formal shape Today Secre-
tary Long received call from A. II
feldt Company, and the agent for sew
eral war vessels now nearing compile
tion in large foreign shipyards. These
include two cruisers of the type of the
Cincinnati, which are designed to be 20
knot vessels and two ironclads Of IA
knots. which would be called third class
bsttleships under our rating. These are
now openato purchase. and it is under
stood that Mr.. Lanes visit was in this
connection. The two cruisers are 800 feet
long 4S feet BEAM IS feet draught They
carry six 6-inch and four 5-inch guns,
and an auxiliary battery. The ironclads
have a 13$4 inch belt of harveyized
steel Their armament is two 10-inch
guns. four 5-inch, two 6-inch six g.
Founders and four 1-pounders. Mr.. Lane
regards these ships as first class in every
particular as they were designed on
modern principles, and are being built
hy one of the leading ship building firms
of Europe. They are well along toward
completion, and all four. it is said. could
be in commission within few months.
They were originally designed for one
of the South American republics, but
there is said to be no obligation which
would prevent their acquisition by the
United States
Mr.. Lane recently sold the navy de-
nartment sixty of the MaXinl-Norden-
feldt rapid fire guns, and his standing
with officials is such as to give his rep
resentations as to ships much weight.
There are things that are wanted
much more than warships In case of
trouble. and the army shares these