Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-08
THEY DON'T WANT TO FIGHT,
Spain Promptly Withdraws the Init
nation Concerning General Lee,

And the Incident is Looked Upon
as Closed, and the Status of Re-
lations the Same as Before the
Intimation Was Given to General
Woodford-The Decision to Send
Relief to Cuban Reconcentradoes
by Naval Vessel Still Stands,
and the Despatch VIII Be Made
by That Sort of Boat.
Washington, March Spain has
withdrawn her request for the recall
Of Consul General Lee. and it is believ-
ID that the incident is practically
closed. The withdrawal came to-day
in The shape of an official communica-
ZION from Minister Woodford. 1t is
NOW stated that the request was never
put IA the shape of a demand, but that
II was merely a suggestion on the pam
of Spain. and when she found that it
would not be pleasantly received by
this country she promptly receded.
10 was learned to-day that the Span
ish objection to Consul General Lee is
based largely upon his sympathy for
the Cubans and some of his utterances
which have found their way into print.
II Is understood that the Spaniards al
SO take exceptions to the friendly rela-
ions and companionship existing be-
tween General Lee and correspondents
Of papers which have been decidedly
unfriendly to Spain. 1t is believed
that Senior de Lone carried to Spain
rapers and information calculated to
make the Spanish government request
the recall of Consul General Lee.
There was a good deal of consulta-
ton this morning among the President
and Secretary Long and Assistant Sec
rerary Day without doubt devoted to
the consideration of our relations with
Spain. Assistant Secretary Day also
had a half hours conference with Sc
nor Du Bose the Spanish Charge here,
and managed to find time to talk few
minutes with Col. j. J. Cook, whose
interests in Cuban affairs is well
known. 1t was stated that the admin
istratiOn has no statement to make
further than that given out by Judge
Day yesterday.
II is still maintained that
THERE HAS BEEN NO DEMAND
on the part Of the Spanish government
for the recall of Consul General Lee.
hut his denial does not take the form
Of a complete assertion that something
ike an intimation has not been given
that the Spanish government would be
pleased were General Lee relieved at
Havana Still there is a wide and
substantial difference between these
two propositions IAN official statement,
and an unofficial intimation. and there
in was a lOophole for escape. Had the
demand for General Lees recall 1t
would have had no recourse in the
event Of refusal by our government TO
accede 10 the demand. but must have
Withdrawn the Consul Generals ex-
Quatur thus leaving him without Off
cial status in Havana. The matter not
having taken that official form, how
ever there is no tangible excuse for
Spain to look upon herself as humlliat-
eli In this matter.
II IS quite certain that the admins
traiion does not take the view as a
hasty glance at the situation would
seem 10 Indicate. that there may not
he peaceful termination of this last
incident. and such officers of the cab
met as have felt free to discuss the
situation at all have not hesitated to
DECLARE THAT NO RUPTURE
in the relations between the United
States and Spain is likely to result.
AS to the matter of sending sup
plies TO Matanzas and Sagua, which
has formed the basis of objection by
the Spanish government. although not
in official form, it is said at the State
department., and at the Navy Depart
ment as well. that the programme
laid down in the statement given out
by the President is TO be observed.
The supplies are to go from Key West
10 these Cuban ports in "a naval YES
Sci So but just which vessel or what
kind of a ship has not yet been defin-
iJely determined Indications now,
however point TO the possible use OF
TOE Fern for this purpose She is I'M
qUestionably a naval snip. but scarce
iE o warship in the proper sense OF
the term her principal use being III
dispatch carrying and in the transpor-
tation Of freight from one navy yard
to another. Because of her ability TO
handle freight this way. she is I'M
f1ubtedlv better adapted than either
The cruiser Montgomery or the gun
boat Nashville for the Transportation
ot supplies. These warships are so
clt up with small compartments below
and so filed with machinery that their
freight carrying capacity is limited
practically TO a little space onJhe up
pcr decks Bat, as before stated. a
oebnite decision has not yet been
reached as to which ship or ships will
oe sent. Secretary Long calculates
That the supplies. which left New York
saturday by steamer for Key West,
WY reach the latter port Wednesday.
giving ample time in the interim to
make a selection as between the yes
S.s He said further that ii would
PROBABLY he
LEFT TO ADMIRAL SICARD,
the commander-in-chief of the squad
ron, to choose the vessel which could
pest be spared. No attempt is made
10 deny that the attitude of the Spanish
government towards the entry of the
Narships into Cuban ports may be full
OF Slgniticance and lead in the end TO
'Iouble.