The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-25

II is Ills Desire 10 Put the Blame Where
u belongs.
WASHINGTON.

n belongs.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 2i-The Star
this afternoon says:
Congress is showing excitement again
over the Cuban situation. The report
of friction between COnsul-Gcner4l Lee
and the administration has aroused tne
friends Of Cuba, and those who, without
reference to the fate of Cuba. arc IN
favor OF vigorously maintaining the
rights If American citizens abroad, and
tho hope IS freely expressed that General
Lee viii maintain firm attitude, and in-
sist upon rcsignlng IL DE is not sustained
by his home Government. This action
ON his part viii force the issue, and the
sympathy of Congress is strongly with
Mr.. Lee. Ills friends say they have
known all along that his position was
at variance with that OF the admins
tration and he was kept under restraint.
It has been almost intolerablc 10 INN.
So is said, 20 contemplate without resist
ance Outrages upon American citizens.
10 is urged that be cannot afford 90 have
the case closed. as far as the present
administration is concerned, without
making plain the attitude that be has
occupied. IL is declared that when the
new administration comes in a state OF
facts as regards Cuba not at an crcdl-
table TO the present administration Will
bo disclosed.
GEN. LEES COURSE.
IL is believed that General Lee de-
siros. as is his right TO clear himself
from AN responsibility for the ~pOhcy
which has been followed 10 is claimed
that his spOndence VIII show that
he has been active i'm the defence or
American citizens, and has accurately
represented the state of affairs i'm Cuba.
but that he has not been backed up
except i'm a perlunct0ry manner which
has been utterly Intellectual. The slew
forms Of inquiry and diplomatic repre-
sentations" have been resOrtod 10 where
demands of a pcromptory character alone
would have been eflectual. Under TINS
policy American citizens have been en-
during imprisonment i'm violation of
treaty rights while the negotiations havo
dragged their weary length along.
The case Of Jules Sanguilly which was
acted on by the Senate committee to-day,
furnishes an example of this sort Of d.
plomacy.
Notwithstanding repeated statements
from outside sources TO the contrary the
officials of the White House and State
Department arc firm I'm the denial Of the
reported resignation of United States Con-
sui General Lee. and the impression is
given out to-day that any trouble that
threatened between the Department and
the Consul General has been composed
and that there is no longer danger Of a
rupture.
10 is conceded that there has been some
| friction growing out of the eases OF Amer
| leans arrested I'm Cuba, but the officials
refuse TO discuss the matter. From a re-
liable source, however the facts appear
TO Doe as follows: The Consul General while
I'm Washington last autumn did not con-
ceal his belief that much credit micht be
gained for tho administration about to
conclude its term by making q bold stroke
for Cuban freedom, az least going to the
length of recognizing the bcNgerency Of
the insurgents.
He did not take issue openly with the
administration I'm its policy, but 10 was
realized here that his sympathies lay
strongly with the Cuhane Possibly feel
ing that he was under suspicion Of lack
of sympathy with the Departments poll
icy. General Lee. upon his return TO bis
post. was particular to stick closely TO
instructions and TO insist I'm every case
concerning an American captive upon eX-
pHcit orders from the Department This
finally led TO friction with the Depart
ment. almost serious IN the Ruiz case.