Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1898 — HIS DAYS NUMBERED [ARTICLE]

HIS DAYS NUMBERED

Consul-General Lee Is Instructed to Quit Havana. SATS HE WILL DO SO SATURDAY. ■ Spots Will Regard This as an Overt Act—War Now Deemed to Be Inevitable, Unless Spain Decide* to Snrrender. Washington, April 8. —Consul-General Lee will leave Havana Saturady, as a result of explicit instructions from the state department and a reply from him stating he would sail on the day named. A telegram received at the state department late Thursday afternoon from Consul-General Lee reported everything quiet in Havana, Gen. Lee thinks it probable that all Americans in Cuba who desire to leave the island will be able to do so unless something unexpected should happen suddenly to prevent them by Saturday, when he will depart himself for the United State*. Will Be Last to Leave. Tampa, Fla., April 8. —The programme for the departure of Gen. Lee from Havana is as follows: The Olivette wall enter Havana harbor on Saturday morning and Gen. Lee will at once notify all Americans that this will be their last chance to leave the island under the American flag. After all are on board the steamer, including the United States consuls from the various ports of Cuba, Gen. Lee will pull down the American flag from the Consulate, will turn over the archives to the British consul, Gollin, and will go aboard the Olivette, which will at once sail for Key West. It is possible that one of the

gunboats or cruisers at Key West will accompany the Olivette to Havana to protect the Americans as the last of them leave the city. Leaving Havana. Port Tampa, Fla., April B.—Refugees from Havana to the number of 2,500 are expected here Saturday. Two of the steamers of the Plant system will leave for Key West at once to bring back the Americans who have been removed from Havana to Key West by the Mascotte, Bache, Fern and Mangrove. The latest reports received here indicate that nearly 3,000 refugees will be in Key West when the steamers arrive this afternoon. While no one believes that Spanish guns will be trained on Key West, it will become an advanced port the instant war is declared, and there is a chance that some Spanish war vessel will be able to get within gunshot and drop a few shells among the cigar factories. As a simple precautionary measure the government Is anxious to bring as many people as possible from the island to the mainland. Line of Battle Planned. Kev West, Fla., April B.—The most significant development here is the orders just received from the navy department on the plan of action. These provide Hint in the event of a blockade of Havana or Matnnzns the first lineof battle nearest the shore would be composed of torpedo boats and tugs; the -ccoud of criii-ers. such as the Marble head. Detroit. Cincinnati and Nashville, mid the gunboat Helena, and tin* third cf the Imttli him India! a tir.d lowa ntpi the fl • 2-1 ip Xi « York. In• ■ - of ■ n att.aeh on th' tn "ri':ir fl. e' by tr'.y -■call ve:' 'ls. e v ill be < !.<■•> I,' •’ ■ ■'...f .... , i;.. . <j.'.,,, |. t .i f n lt ‘- .. id th. -I J ' .. " »r 0 tin !

tie ships from the torpedo boats of the enemy. Should the attack be by a superior force, such as the Vizcaya or the Almirante Oquendo, the first two lines would retire, leaving the attacking vessels to be engaged by the battleJfihipti.—_: _ ..... ‘ War Inevitable. Washington, April 8. —There is no longer any doubt as to the purposes of this government writh respect to the situation in Cuba. War in the opinion of the administration is inevitable, except in the'unlooked-for event of a surrender on the part of Spain. Thp president's message, which he had intended to send to congress Wednesday, has not been changed in any particular and embodies the Unanimous views of the cabinet, without the slightest variance or exception. Any mavement to avert war now must comb from Madrid and must concede American demands, including an end to Spain’s domination in Cuba. Thursday's Development*. Three features stand out plainly in the developments of Thursday. At noon the six great powers of Europe, through their representatives here, called at the w hite house and presented to President McKinley a joint note expressing urgent hope for a peaceful adjustment between the United States and Spain, to which the president replied with unmistakable plainess as to the duty and the unselfish endeavors of this government to terminate the insufferable conditions in Cuba. Another and probably the most significant actual stepshowing the finality reached by the United States government was the authoritative statement that Consul-General Lee would leave Havana on Saturday. This step it is known will be regarded by Spain as akin to an overt act preceding war, as it will terminate the jnedium of official intercourse between the United States and the island.

Third and almost equally important was the ominous tone of press advices from Madrid, where the war fever seems to dominate instead of the concessions, the opening of prison doors and other manifestations of pence and good will which holy Thursday was expected to bring forth, and the more definite announcement of action that would bring peace to Cuba. The heavy guard about Minister Woodford’s house, the imperative character of his last note, the war utterance of Minister Cnrreo and the turbulence nt the Spanish capital left little hope that pacific councils would prevail. No negotiations are proceeding at Madrid on the part of this government, but the powers of Europe, it is understood, are doing their utmost to persuade the Spanish government to yield and avert war. On the highest authority it can be stated that no instructions have been given as yet to Minister Woodford contemplating his withdrawal, the only step in that direction being the fletermlnation that Gen. Lee leave Havana on Saturday.