The Savannah morning news., 1902-03-17
STORER IS ALL RIGHT
xoT RECALLED AS MINISTER TO
SPAIN.
SIMPLY HERE ON VACATION.
SPANISH TREATY is PROGRESSING
NICELY.

M Hitch in Negotiations With
spain, but Treaty Making Is Slow
work There-American Newspaper
comments as 80 Physical and Tn
stness of the Young King to Take
Charge of the Government Untrue,
lie says-Young Alfonso Is a Fine
lacking LaS and Takes a Keen
interest in Military Affairs.
New York, March 16.-Bellamy
storer, United States minister to Spain,
arrived to-day on the American Line
steamer St. Louis from Southampton.
Mr.. Storer, was surprised to learn that
O rumor had been circulated that he
had been recalled from his post, and
smnhatically denied that there was the
slightest foundation for such a report,
saying:
Il have simply come home on leave
Of absence for ninety days, because at
this time there is no urgency for my
nresence in Madrid. 1t is not true that
tbore has been a hitch in the negotia
tions of the treaty with Spain, and,
on the contrary, they have progressed
most favorably and there is absolutely
no obstacle in view to the
successful accomplishment OF the
treaty. l may say that the most
important provisions of the treaty
have already been finally agreed
upon. So far as the question of the
rights of the Spanish property owners
in Porto Rico is concerned, the gov
eminent at Madrid is fully satisfied.
The negotiations of the treaty have
been somewhat prolonged, not on ac-
count of any reluctance on the part of
the Spanish government, but merely
because every condition, and l may say
every phrase in the document must
arst be presented to the council of
state for review and approval.
owing to the approaching access
sion of the young king, the late min
istry of Sagasta was in effect simply
a provisional one and as the final rat
ification had to be left the ministry an
opportunity was afforded me to apply
for a short leave Of absence. I ex-
poet to return to my>post early in
June.
Young Alfonso Is All Right.
Il regretted to notice in many of the
American papers, which l received in
Madrid, statements to the effect that
the young King was physically and
mentally unfit to assume the reins of
government That is not true. He has
been admirably brought up by a most
devoted mother, and 1 see no reason
why he should not reign with honor to
himself and to his country. He has
grown very fast, and is now a fine
looking lad. He takes a keen interest
in military affairs, and shows to great
advantage when he appears mounted
at a review of the troops.
What changes are likely to take
place in the cabinet, / am not pre-
pared to predict. 1t would not be sur
prsing if the Queen Mother should
continue to exercise a strong influence
over her son, as their relations have
always been of the most affectionate
character"
Speaking of the Kings accession, Mr..
Storer said:
There will be no formal coronation,
as the King of Spain is supposed to be
born crowned. He will merely take
the oath to preserve the constitution,
and there will be the customary cere-
monies. 1t was, in fact, question up
to the last moment whether the repre-
sentatives of foreign governments
should be specially invited to witness
the accession