The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-10
Investigation Practically Finished,
but Members of Court Not Ex-
pected Back This Week.
SICHRD TO BE SUPERSEDED
UNDERSTOOD AT KEY WEST THE
ADMIRAL CANNOT GO TO SEA.
Squadron 10 BE Augmented shortly IDy
other Battle Shfps--Senator Proc
tor and Party Returns.

HAVANA, via Key West March 9.--Ha-
vana escaped the excitement Of Sunday last,
which seems to have reached high pitch
at Key West and elsewhere. Consul Gem
eral Lee was not advised from the State
Department of the request from Madrid for
his recall, nor of the withdrawal of the re-
quest. Information as to both points was
furnished to him by the correspondent of
the Associated Press In the absence OF
particulars, General Lee believes that the
request was prompted by the autonomists,
who probably alleged that he was not a
believer in autonomy as it exists here, and
therefore asked his removal to get a stumb-
ling block out of the way. Consul General
Lee is on the best of terms with General
Blanco, Senior Jose Congosto and the most
influential Spanish merchants. All assure
him of absolute protection, even if the vol
unteers should make a demonstration.
General Lee believes the volunteers would
be controlled by the merchants in whose
employ they are. Others doubt this, but
the ranking colonel of the volunteers as
sures General Lee that the consulate and
Americans would in no event be the object
Of a demonstration should any occur Gen.
Lee is no more anxious to remain in vex-
atious position than any other consul In
Cuba, but he has no intention of resigning
nor any belief that he viii be recalled. He
is cool, good humored and somewhat Inn
patient of the sensational and untruthful
reports emanating from Hevana or Key
West.
The volunteers are apparently more quiet
since they were assured by the government
here and by Madrid that there is no inten-
ton to disarm or disband the corps. The
Havana battalions have been supported in
their protest by comrades of the same corps
throughout Cuba.
The court of inquiry pursues its tactiturn
and even secretive way. The belief here 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, drawings and diagrams show
ing as near as possible the condition OF
things submarine. What effect the pres
ence of the Montgomery will have no one
will be able to tell until she has been here
several days. She is so much smaller than
the Vizcaya or the Almirante Oquendo that
1t is apparent to every one that she was not
sent in 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 parts OF the tes-
timony before the court of inquiry, a high
naval officer says there Is no special reason
for maintaining secrecy, except the fact
that bare statements Of comparatively un-
important incidents are exaggerated by
some and worked up into dangerous sensa-
tional stories. In view Of this, said the off,
Ger in question, it was deemed best to COM
mand absolute reserve on the part OF eli
connected with the court Of examination
or with the work of salvage.
Senator Proctor, before leaving to-day by
the Olivette, said: You may say thateany
visit, call it mission Of pleasure or busl-
ness or what you will, has been very sue
cessful / cannot speak on political SUBJ
jects pertaining to Cuba here and now