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Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Mar 07, 1898
Page
6
Washington reports two new Spain actions in March as Madrid requests the recall of Consul General Lee from Havana while suggesting relief ships Montgomery and Nashville should not carry supplies to Cuban reconcentrados. The U.S. firmly rejects both demands after White House consultation.
The President does not open the General Lee recall for cabinet discussion. After a brief White House State Department exchange a negative reply was sent to Minister Woodford. The administration shows firm action and expedites the dispatch rather than formal cabinet consideration.
The article discusses pressures on General Lee over his Havana presence amid Spain and the Maine arrival. It notes protests from Spanish officials about who Lee entertained and which officials were invited, including journalists viewed as antagonistic, sparking unofficial criticism rather than formal actions.
Officials view the Lee recall request as a surprise after hopes of smoothing tensions. Reports circulate in Madrid that Lee may blame an external cause for the Maine explosion, though no official Washington report exists. The Imparcial hints Cortes may review Lee’s case, reflecting Sagasta cabinet pressure and the Dupuy De Lome visit.
The article argues Spain could demand General Lee's recall as he openly sympathizes with Cuban sufferers, while noting he holds semi diplomatic powers granted by the U S and Spain. It also covers Secretary Long's stance on relief shipments and navy plans amid the Cuba crisis. The piece mentions Du Bose and Du Bosc and reports on Montgomery Nashville and Fern vessels for relief and naval build program constraints.
The Fern may replace a cruiser or gunboat for a supplies run. Unlike armed ships, the Fern is a despatch boat and had not been previously proposed for this mission. Officials noted one of Montgomery, Nashville, or Fern would undertake the trip, with Fern now publicly linked to carrying supplies.
Washington ordered a change to send Cuban relief via the despatch boat Fern. The court of inquiry will likely return to Key West for final sessions. The Cuban relief effort increased from 75 to 100 tons, sailing from New York on a Mallory line ship and due at Key West next Wednesday. The transfer will take a day, with government ships to Cuba starting next Thursday. General Lee reported many tons stored in Havana could not reach the eastern isle. State Department inquiries led to permission for free reception at all ports. The main obstacle was trans-shipment from Havana eastward amid restricted steamship service. Crowninshield informed President McKinley, prompting Navy Department action to forward supplies to eastern Cuba. Spain signaled resistance, first by a formal inquiry and then by insinuation that naval movement would not be allowed to proceed.
President McKinley works in close accord with War and Navy Secretaries to prepare for any emergency. He urges strengthening ships and transports and indicates readiness to take extreme steps if the naval court of inquiry blames Spain for the Maine destruction.
The administration refrains from urgent appeals for broad war measures. Navy and War departments seek authority to enlist 1500 more seamen and to press merchant ships into service as auxiliary cruisers while funding coal purchases. Opposition in Congress tempers requests as President McKinley consolidates support to ready military and coastal defenses. Secretary Long and Secretary Alger back the emergency preparations amid ongoing debate over accountability for the disaster.
Public attention grows around Spain as events unfold, drawing comments from observers across political and cultural spectrums. Analysts note heightened curiosity about economic and social implications shaping national policy.
Several members of Congress interview praised the President's refusal of Madrid's request to recall General Lee. Senators Davis Pettigrew Cullom Morgan and Representative Grosvenor offered opinions, with Grosvenor noting possible Spain dismissal and Frye warning of potential Cuban intervention if relief sails in warships.
A conference yesterday involved Lieutenant Alexander Sharp Jr., naval aide to Assistant Secretary Roosevelt, who maintains records of foreign naval progress during the discussion.
Government eyes two armoured cruisers under construction for Sweden and Norway by the Armstrongs and two protected cruisers for Japan. Speed to 24 knots, 4500 ton displacement. Securing powder and coal transports burdens Navy Department. Mohican to haul powder to Honolulu for transfer to Baltimore bound for Hong Kong. Olympia stays in Asiatic waters to maintain Dewey’s squadron strength.
In Havana on March 6 a wide arrest sweep leaves thirteen men in custody for possible deportation or banishment to the Isle of Pines, with eighteen implicated. Captains Sigsbee and Cowles arrive aboard the Almirante Oquendo as divers review wreck testimony and charts of the Maine.
Henri Laine and Vicente Pardo Suarez head a list of thirteen arrested, including Jose Estrada Ernesto Guayabons Jose Ruso and Manuel Pardo Lopez among others. Eight held in Cell 45 and five in Cell 16. Henri Laine to be sent north Wednesday. Officials say two or more American correspondents must return to the United States. Eighteen are implicated in the alleged conspiracy.
Former U S minister to Spain General Daniel E Sickles declares Spain would be justified in demanding General Lee's recall and cautions against using warships for supplies. He notes the Virginius episode heightened tensions and recalls his own 1869 1874 diplomatic actions. The account also describes a dramatic life saving buoy demonstration at a wreck with calcium phosphate lights and a brief brave scare.
News from Havana carried by the Olivette spurs unusual unrest in Key West as fleet officers board ships and Admiral Sicard stays at the hotel in constant contact with ships. Reports say American correspondents ordered off Havana and despatch boats fail to arrive, with heavy guns expected to arrive from the North by Saturday and be placed in position.
Washington reports that Spain may withdraw or recall Consul-General Lee without explanation. A 1896 Madrid telegram showed Spain granted U S consuls in Cuba rights equal to the German consul in Havana, elevating Lee to a diplomatic representative beyond a commercial agent. Olney pressed for parity under the most favored nation clause.
President believes Spain plans a declaration of war and Sagasta may strike a crippling blow before defenses finish. The War Department strengthens Washington defenses as Battery M moves from Washington Barracks to Sheridan Point Virginia. Fort Washington on the Maryland side is already garrisoned.
Two Spanish divers and seven Americans worked together to surface two unexploded 86 inch powder cylinders from a wreck near Havana. One cylinder contained brown hexagonal powder nearly intact. A notable moment occurred when five American and two Spanish divers were under water together and a trap activated a life buoy hidden in the wreckage.
Reports from Havana indicate US and Spanish forces brace for possible hostilities after the Maine inquiry. Spain’s Vizcaya and other ships hover in readiness while Viscaya detachment reports unusual activity. Attorneys and officials weigh indemnity outcomes as Cuban and American camps anticipate potential bombardment or blockade of Havana.
The Spanish divers face a mystery in the Maine investigation as they have not spent five hours total underwater. Rumors say they were sent for form’s sake and will report per Madrid directives. Our divers face slow progress moving heavy hardware and cutting safety clamps. Senator Proctor may address the Senate on returning, likely shaping U S policy.
Senator Proctor, visiting Matanzas and Artemisa, reports vast reconcentrado suffering and vast abandoned tobacco and banana lands. He praises Clara Barton relief work as effective though demand outstrips supply. He notes ships bringing aid to Matanzas and Sagua la Grande and mentions Spanish newspapers claiming threat and size parity with the Vizcaya.
The U S S Essex has been ordered to Portsmouth Navy Yard for urgent repairs with orders to rush work. An appeal has been made to have old monitors sent to fit out. The frigate Essex under Captain Strong from Fortress Monroe arrived in New York and anchored in the lower bay.
Secretary of War Russell A. Alger declared the U S army is in perfect condition for its size and pledged two artillery regiments to augment coastal defenses. He called for men to man and care for the guns and asserted preparedness as a deterrent to war.
The speaker argues the United States should mobilize quickly in an emergency, with 100000 National Guard reserves on day one and more on day two. He asserts the nation is not bankrupt, has ample manpower and resources, and supports coastal fortifications and shipbuilding to employ labor and defend shores.
The Imparcial accuses Consul-General FitzHugh Lee of hostility toward Spain and suggests Spain demand his replacement. It claims his conduct worsens U S Spain ties and that Cortes will review his actions. In contrast, United States Minister Woodford is praised as irreproachable and pro pacific.
A Post reporter learns the crew expects the cutter Manning to depart Boston today for New York to receive her guns at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, then proceed to Key West or another Southern Station in readiness for any emergency.
Thomas Peck, a West Newton bicycle factory employee, was killed when his horse and buggy collided with Newton and Boston railroad car No.5 on Elliott street Newton Highlands. The horse was shot after suffering, Motorman Myles Standish faced no charge per witnesses and railway officials.
London March 7 The Pekin correspondent for the Times reports Russia demands China surrender sovereign rights over Port Arthur and Tah-Tien-Wan for a set period with conditions similar to Germany at Kiao-Choun. Russia also seeks a trans-Manchurian rail line from near the Sungari to Mukden Port Arthur and Lao-Tung with a one month deadline.
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