Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-26
HAS HIS PASSP0RTS.'' y
THAT WAS THE STATEMENT YES
TERDAY REGARDING GEN. LEE.
OFFICIAL DEEIALS OF The RUMOR.
Secretary OIncy Insists That There
IL No Change in the Cuban situa-
General and the State Department.

FROM TWO llStlncl SOURCES statements
we're received here early this morning
that Consul General Lee had received
his passports" This rumor naturally
caused excitement, and general desire
to know definitely whether General Lees
contemplated withdrawal from Habana
was his own act. resulting from the ac-
ceptance of his resignation, said to have
been cabled last Sunday. or. whether
II had been brought about by action
on the part of the Spanish authorities
in Cuba. in which latter case its signih-
cance would be much more marked
Inquiries in official quarters ELECTED
strong denlals Of the rumor. The we'll
known fact was pointed out that pass
ports are not given to consuls, but only
to ministers and ambassadors; that in
case Of an offending or a retiring consul.
the document sent him on his departure
is his "exequatur," the official document
recognizing his right to exercise the func-
tions of his Office, and IT was said
that not even the semi-dplomatic posi-
ton accorded to our Consul-General at
Habana by consent OF the Spanish Gov
ernment would render his case one
wherein passport would be required.
The return Of his "exequatur" to
consul-general would. of course, be
equivalent TO the sending Of a passport
TO a minister, but at the Spanish lega-
ton. as well as at the State Depart
ment, it was emphatically asserted that
this course had not been taken.
The denials were quite as emphatic
as those previously put out in regard
to General Lees request for warships
and the conditional tender Of his resigna-
ton. II this request should not be grant
ed. 1t was stated on the authority OF
members of the Cabinet that Secretary
Olney stated to his associates at the
Cabinet meeting Tuesday last that it
was not true that General Lee had re-
signed. or that he had asked for war
ships. Mr.. Olney, on this occasion, add
ed that the exciting statements put out
were simply an attempt to run the
State Department through the news
papers." 1t was again said this morn
ing. as coming from Secretary Olney'
that there was no change in the Cuban
situation.
THE RESIGNATION AFFIRMED.
WASHINGTON. ID. c., February %
The statement was made upon the floor
of the House to-day. upon the authority
of q prominent southern congressman,
that Consul General Lee had resigned
his office. The congressman referred TO
stated that he had seen the dispatch from
the Consul-General at the State Depart
ment and that Secretary Olney had re-
ouested that official not TO press the
resignation until after the expiration of
the present administration. The dis
patch in question was received at the
State Department either Tuesday night
or Wednesday morning.
The government officials, however, con-
tinue to deny the report that General
Lees resignation has been received at
the Department Of State. 1t is not de-
MED that there has been friction between
General Lee and the department Dut
confidence is expressed that General Lee
will be found at his post up to and In
cluding March lth. It is said that In
cabling the department last week In re-
card TO the Ruiz and Scott cases. Gehe-
raj Lee closed as follows
.If am not supported. my usefulness
here will end. and 1 had better be re-
called"
This. It is thought. may be the dispatch
from which the resignation stories nave
arisen. 49,,
GENERAL, LEE CONGRATULATED.
NEW YORK. February 25.-The fol-
loving is a copy of a cablegram sent to
General Fitzhugh Lee to-day
New York. February % 1871
General Fitzhugh Lee, Habana:
"The Cuban League Of the Cnitea
states. representing the unanimous sem
ttment OF the American people coralally
oonoratulates you for your patriotic
stand II redeems our country to some
degree from the load Of infamy imposed
~, some of its leading officials.
ETHAN ALLEN.
..president Cuban League of the United.
States"
SENATORIAL SENTIMENT.
WASHINGTON, u. c., February 5.-
The report that Consul-General Lee had
hoon Given his passports by the Spanish
o,,tnorities in Cuba caused a futter at
tho Senate end of the Capitol, where the
cotton of the Senate Committee on the
sanguilly case has revived interest IN
c,,,an affairs. Senator'S were guarded
IN their utterances, preferring to await
sor,a confirmation of the report before
committing themselves to statements that
were on the tip ends of their tongues
II is not beyond truth to say that very
considerable portion Of the Senate hopes
t,o rerort Is accurate, for they say that
,,o+hino short of an overt act on the part
~ snoin sufficient to compel this govern
,,ont 70 assert itself will bring the
trouble on that island 10 an end, or bring
about the protection of American citi-
zens. ,, r,o,>-,
UARANA. February 25.-Dispatches re-
ceived here from New York say rumor
,s nrevalent there that United States
onsul-Geueral Lee has received his pass
norts. This is not true. General Lee
has neither received his passports. nor
has he resigned his post. The fact is
that a day or TWO ago he intimated his
DISPOSITION to resign, if the United States
Government failed TO sustain the atti-
tude he had assumed in the cases OF DR..
Ruiz and Mr. Scott He has gone no
further than this.
GA LUCIA EXPLAINS.
HABANA, February 25-La Lucha, com
menting on the report from New York
announcing Consul-General Lees resig-
nation. pretends to explain the cause OF
"a. ..,ortod retirement from Office. IL