The times., 1899-01-01

Although 1898 will take its place among
the memorable years of this era by reason
of the important occurrences the world
over, the interest Of American readers is
centered in the great drama of the Span
ish war. which spread itself over the whole
span of twelve calendar months.
january.
The closing events OF 1897 in the Span
ish-American situation all indicated the
psciication of Cuba and the removal of
the strain between the United States and
Spain. The elevation of Sagasta TO the
office of prime minister was followed by
the recall of Weyler and the appointment
of Blanco as captain and governor general
of Cuba. The feeling of the Spanish popu-
lace in Cuba was very bitter against the
Americans on account of the tone of Presi-
dent McKinley's message which reflected
severely upon Weyler's administration and
took favorable view of Blanco's plans of
reform.
In view of the demonstrations in Ha-
yapa, the Atlantic squadron was placed
10 readiness and early in January rem
Gezyoused OFF Key West Capt. Sigsbee,
of tht Maine, was in constant communi-
cation with Consul Gen. Fitzhugh Lee at
Havana, On the night of January "a, in
consequence OF communication receised
from Gen. Lee, Capt. Sigsbse was ordered
TO proceed at once to Havana on a friend
ly visit. He reached the harbor of Ha-
vana on the 25th and was received with
the customary ceremonies of vessel Wis
iting foreign port
On the last Sunday in January Capt.
Sigsbee, Gen. Lee and other United States
officers accompanied some o. tre Span
ish officials to a bull fight outside the
city, and on their return he famous cir
cular ending with the frantic a. -ais,
Death to the Americans Death 10 aU
tonomy," Long live SPAIN" Long
live Weyieri'' was thrust into Capt. Sigs-
bees hand. He read il, hut attached no
Importance TO it whatever.
February.
Early in February Capt. Sigsbee made
a special effort to entertain the Spanish
people on board the Maine, but without
success. The captain and his officers Wis
itec the city frequently, and 10 al ap-
pearances Havana was as ORDERLY as any
city in the most peaceful times. The po-
litical air. however, was not clear. On
the 7th of February the famous, or rather
infamous, De LONE letter was made pub
lie In this letter Senor de LONE, the
Spanish minister to the United States, re-
ferred contemptuously TO President Nc
Kinley. Senor de LONE confessed that he
had written ii and resigned. on the 18th
of the month Senor Polo y barGabe tnok
the portfolio as Spanish minister IN pace
of De LONE.
On the next night the hat.ieshio Maine
was blown up at her moorIngs in tie har-
bor of Havana, and 2s6 of the officers and
crew lost their lives in consequence. The
conclusion was reached at once by A,gieri-
cans that the destruction of the Maine
vas due to Spanish treachery.
Meanwhile the humanitarian aspect of
the situation in Cuba, which all along had
kept alive the sympathies of the American
people with the struggling insurgents, had
not been lost sight of. On the 18th of Feb
ruary the House and Senate both voted,
without a dissenting voice, resolutions
calling upon the Secretary of State for full
information regarding the condition of the
reeoneentrados in Cuba and the progress
Of autonomy II was well known that the
Department of State was in possession Of
information supplied by the United States
consuls in Cuba OF the most narrowing
description respecting the widespread dis
tress throughout the island Two days lat
er the House passed the Notifications ap-
preparation bill, and in the last week of
the month passed a bill providing for an
increase OF the regular army by two addi-
tional regiments of artillery.
March.
The De LONE incident having been
wholly ignored by the Spanish govern
ment and the destruction of the Maine be-
ing held, automatically at least, as an
accident, these two events did not serve
10 tighten the tension between the govern
ment at Madrid and that at Washington.
Other occurrences, however, did add ma
terially TO the strain.
Early in March the Spaniards objected
TO The transport of supplies for the starv-
ing reconeentrados in Government war
ships and al the same time asked that
Gen. Lee be replaced as consul general of
Cuba
spain's great warship, the vizcaya,
which left New York the latter part of
February. lay al Havana, and ii was known
that other warships were on their way
from Spain to that port, while the Spanish
feet OF torpedo boats was being prepared
TO be transferred to Cuban waters. The
United States Government frankly inform
ed Spain that Gen. Lee would not be re-
called. but agreed to send relief supplies
TO Cuba in other vessels than armed war
ships. Spain's activity in buying warships
in European shipyards was an important
item of news confirmed in the early part
Of the month. On the 10th the House
unanimously voted TO place $50 600 600 at