The herald., 1898-04-10
WAITING The MESSAGE
BRINGING THE NEWS OF LEES
DEPARTURE
ALL AMERICANS NOW IN CUBA
Are Expected to Leave the Island
Before the Sun Sets on
Easter Sunday
Associated Press Special Wire

| Associated Press Special Wire
| WASHINGTON, April 9.-The officials OF
the state department are awaiting with
much interest today's dispatches from Con-
sui General Lee at Havana, which Will tell
of his safe departure from that city for
United States soil, although they do not
outwardly manifest any uneasiness.
Secretary Long said the rumor that an
other ship had been blown up in Havana
harbor was incorrect. According to the
latest reports received at the navy depart
ment, there are now two vessels at Havana
the Fern and the Bache, both of which
will be used probably to convey any Amer
leans from Havana to the United States
who cannot be accommodated on the reg
ular steamers. The expectation is that they
will leave Havana today or tomorrow at
the very latest. The United States will
then be without any naval representation
In the waters of Cuba.
Secretary Long was at his desk for q
short time this morning going early to the
Capitol to keep an appointment with the
house appropriations committee. During
the morning there was meeting of the
strategic board, consisting of Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt, Capt. Crowninshield
of the bureau of navigation. and Capt.
Glover of the intelligence bureau. The
most important naval movement reported
to the department during the morning was
the departure of the cruiser Topeka and
the torpedo vessel Somers from Weymouth,
England, for New York. This is matter
of congratuation to the officials, who are
OF "a "
purchased from foreign governments
should get out of neutral ports before hos
tilities commence. Under ordinary sailing,
days to two weeks.
The monitor Amphitrite has arrived at
Key West and joined Capt Simpsons fleet
WOODFORDS RECALL
WASHINGTON. April 9.-It is stated
al the State Department that United States
Minister Woodfo-d at Madrid has not act
ually been recalled but has been given full
discretion to govern his movements by the
progress of events a the Spanish Capital.
Under his instructions It will be necessary
TO formally recall him. He has informed
the department Of his purpose of remain
ing at his post of duty as long as there
is any possibility of rendering any SER
vice to his government, and consequently.
unless the condition at Madrid endangerS
his personal safety, It is more than prob
able that he will remain there up to the
time of the beginning of hostiities be-
tween the two countries. 1t is understo TODD
here that General Woodford is personally
popular In the Spanish Capital and that
the authorities would leave nothing un-
done to insure his safety. even after an
outbreak with the country he represents.
Should IL become necessary General w ood-
ford and the members of his official fam
lily will have the protection of the British
embassy until such times as they can
take their departure without molestation.
OTHER SPANISH CONSULS
WASHINGTON, April 9.-Permission has
been given by the State Department to the
United States Consuls in Spain to leave
that country if they desire. pending the
threatened severance of all diplomatic re-
lations between Spain and this country.
They have not been ordered to leave, as
such a step is not resorted to except in the
case of rupture between two nations, but
they are permitted to exercise their own
discretion in the matter. The effects of
the consulates, such, for instance, as un-
turned over to the representatives Of some
friendly government. AS Great Britain
has authorized her consular officers in
Cuba to take charge of the effects of all
United States consulates there, it is pre-
sumed like authority will be given to Eng
lish consular officers in Spain.
So far as the officers here have been ad-
vised, none of the consuls have left their
posts in the peninsula.
TROUBLE IN PORTO RICO
NEW YORK, April "a dispatch to the
Herald from St. Thomas says:
So serious has the situation become in
San Juan de Porto Rico that the United
States consul there. P. c. Hanna, has been
ordered to this island where the rule of
Denmark will insure his safety.
Fearing an outbreak against foreigners,
and particularly against Americans, Con-
sui Hanna and all the members of the
American colony spent the night on board
the British steamer Nirginius They did
not dare to remain in their homes, not
knowing what direction the fury of the
infamed popuace might take.
Military rule, which always prevails in
Porto Rrico, has now become most strin-
gent. The censor will not pass any news.
and I am forced to use special boats to
this island to file my dispatches.
Even with the greatest efforts, the po-
lice and the troops have not been able to
prevent bloodshed.
Weylerism is blamed for the failure of
autonomy and the troubles following. The
elections are known to have been falsified
the military forces taking possession of the
polling booths to insure the success of their
candidates. The indignation of the people
at the government forcibly imposed on
them is beyond bounds.
The number of persons in the prisons
throughout the island has been increased
50 per cent. There have been riots and
bloodshed in the principal towns-Ponce
Aquidilla. Cayey and Vegabaya.
The arrival of the torpedo fleet from
Spain, it is believed, would cause an upris-