The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-25
CAUSE OF LEES ANGER.
State Department Wouldn't Demand
Release OF All Americans.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2i.-Notwithstand-
ing the repeated statements from outside
sources to the contrary, the State Depart
ment officials are firm in the denial of the
reported resignation of United States Con-
sui General Lee and the impression is given
out that any trouble that threatened be-
tween the department and the consul gen.
eral has been compromised and that there
is no longer danger of a rupture. 1t is now
known thSt there has been some friction
growing out OF the cases of Americans ar
rested in Cuba. but the officials refuse TO
admit or deny this. From a reliable source,
however, the facts appear to be as follows:
The consul general while in Washington
last autumn did not conceal his belief that
much credit might be gained for the ad-
ministration about to conclude its term by
making a bold stroke for Cuban freedom
at least going to the length of recognizing
the bellgerency OF the insurgents. He did
not take issue openly with the administra-
tion in its policy, but it was realized here
that his sympathies lay strongly with the
Cubans. Possibly feeling that he was I'M
der suspicion of lack of sympathy with the
departments policy. Lee, upon his return
to his post was particular to stick closely
10 instructions and to insist in every case
concerning an American captive upon eX-
plicit orders from the department This
finally led TO friction with the department.
almost serious in the Ruiz case. The con-
sui general knew of RuiZ's capture and re-
ported it to the department.. but 1t is inti-
mated, stopped at that and waited for fur
ther Instructions. The department felt that
the general instructions in the consular reg
ulatlons imposing on consular officer the
duty of moving promptly for the relief of
an American citizen in Such cases should
have been sufficient to guide General Lee
10 proper course However. without los
ing time the department, on being informed
of the facts. promptly referred the case To
the attention Of the authorities at Madrid
Ii can scarcely be regarded as a case
iuStifyinG an ultiTaatum, al this point at
least. the opinion being held that there is "A
reasonable doubt whether or not Ruiz lost
staying in Cuba for sixteen years i'm the
pursuit of his business, and without keep
ing up his registration regularly. OF course.
the department has not yet conceded this
point but the fact shat such a contention
mas been made iS sufficient to show that il
is a requiring deliberate treatment.
Following the death of Ruiz in jail, General
Lee recommended that demand be made
upon the Spanish authorities for the release
OF all American prisoners held III Cuban
prisons This. IL felt. is step too
radical TO be taken out of hand. The
safety of the prisoners, assumed to. he the
object of such a demand. II is said, in
many cases would be jeopardized by the
very means taken to secure their release.
our demand would have TO be put in the
form OF one for an immediate trial of the
prisoners their immediate release. In
case the Spanish officials elected TO adopt
the first-named course, some of the prison
ers would perhaps lose their lives, for they
we're taken with arms In hand and 50 are
subject to the extreme penalty that may he
imposed by a military cOurt-martlal. For
such prisoners the hope OF their lives lies
in the delay OF a trial as long as possible.
taking the chance that meantime general
amnesty will be proclaimed and that they
Will thereby be saved