Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-08
WAR RUMoRs DYING OUT.

/ Spain has withdrawn her request fol
the recall of Consul General Lee, and
, it is now believed that the incident il
! practically closed. The Withdrawal
came in the shape of an official commu
nication from Minister Woodford.
Yesterday afternoon Senior Du Bose
the Spanish charge d'affaires, received
a cipher cable from the minister o
State at Madrid. Senior Cullon, saying
"You can disavow the rumor thai
any official application has been made
| for the recall of General Lee"
This confirmed Mr.. Du Bosc's view
that misapprehension had occurred
and that some intimation concerning
! General Lee had been construed into 6
request or demand for his recall, which
Mr.. Bose says, with positiveness, was
never intended.
1t is now stated that the request was
| never put in the shape ola demand, but
that it was merely suggestion on the
part of Spain, and when she found that
it would not be pleasantly received by
this country she promptly receded.
Had the Spanish government made
an official demand for General Lees re.
call it would have no recourse, in the
event of refusal by the government tc
accede to the demand, but must have
Withdrawn the consul-general's exc
quatur, thus leaving him without
official status in Havana. The
matter not having taken that Official
form, however, there is no tangible ex-
cuse for Spain to look upon herself as
Inundated in this matter.
Secretary Long said yesterday even
ing:
Il cannot help but regard the situa.
ton as being exceedingly serious.
do not apprehend war, nor do believe
we are any nearer q conflict to-day
| than we were last week, but / realize
the importance of preparing for any
emergency that may arise"
Assistant Secretary of State Day
said "We ali admit the situation is
critical, but state OF preparedness is
one of the best means of averting q war
and this may be said to be the chic
motive OF the action that has been ia
ken. 1t seems TO me that can already
see beneficial effect. 1t will have 6
reassuring effect at home as we'll as
/ abroad. There is nothing in the situa-
ton that is Immediately alarming. The
incident in regard to the suggested re-
call of Consul General Lee and the dis
patch of naval vessels to Cuban ports
with supplies for the sufferers il
closed"
A dispatch from Madrid dated yes
terday says: The people Of Madrid al
day were at q loss to understand the
reasons for the panic in Spanish securi
ties on foreign Bourses, which caused
some fall in funds and sharp rise If
foreign exchange on Madrid Bourse
The government Immediately took
/ steps to contradict officially both the
reports that Spain had asked for the re
call of Consul General Lee aud the re-
port that Pope Leo had made declara
tons favorable to Cuban independence
The latter rumor is positively denied
by the Papal nuncio at Madrid, and, or
the contrary, it is we'll known that the
Pope, since the beginning of the Cuban
instruction, has repeatedly sent his
blessing to the Spanish troops starting
for Cuba, and has equally often stated
that he prayed FIR the success OF the
Spanish army in Cuba.
Most of the Madrid papers attribute
the scare to the inaccurate statements
aoated by telegraph agencies and SEN
satioual newspapers concerning both
incidents. Ministerial organs, La Cor
respondencia and Ell Correo, state that
the government has received resssuring
news from the Spanish legation at
Washington concerning the disposition
of the President, and relief for distress
ed Cubsns will be sent by merchant
steamers. The papers are still bitter in
criticism about the discovery OF alleged
contraband goods under cover of relief
FL Hersldo believes this incident dam
aging for Gen. Lee.
A dispatch from Havana says: "Ha-
vana was quieter yesterday than stany
other time since the Maine disaster. A
carnival of merrymakers filled Central
Park Sunday night, giving no thought
to troubles. Americans were disturb
ed by wild rumors from New York
and Washington, and Consul Gen
eral Lee was beseged for infor-
nation. He was indignant at the reck-
less use Of his name, and said he knew
nothing about being persona non grata
to tho Madrid authorities. On the
contrary, his relations have been ex-
tremely pleasant. The United States
court of inquiry continued its sessions
yesterday. THERE'S no indication as TO
when it will flash its work. Political
prisoners recently arrested in Havana
have been put in CabaIas fortress.
The leading Partisan newspapers, in
commenting on the situation, critcise
the United States for refusing to recall
General Lee after having insisted upon
Senior de Lome's departure. Others
consider Cuban Vaccinations and "yel-
low journalism" responsible for much
of the situation.
ABANQUET OF HORSE MEAT-Horse
meat was served Saturday night at the
annual banquet Of the Kansas City, Mo-,
Veterinary College. Though the spread
was elaborate not morsel of meat
other than the flesh of the horse was
,os,o1 E-oro sonp 70 rooot II u,o1 O.