The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-02-26

Washington, Feb. 25-The report that
Consul General Lee was given his pass
port by the Spanish authorities in Cuba
caused II iiutter at the Senate end of the
capitol, where the Senate committee ON
the Sanguiiy case has revived interest in
Cuban affairs.
Senators are guarded i'm Their utter
ances, preferrug 70 await some ccniirma.
ton OF the report before committing
themselves TO statements that were on
the tip ends OF their tongues. 1t is not
beyohu truth to say that very consider
able portion of the Senate hopes the re-
port Is accurate, for they say that moth
ing short Of an overt act on the part of the
Spanish authorities is sufficient to corr.
pei TINS Government to assert itself to
bring the trouble on that island to an
emu or bring about the protection of
American citizens.
From TWO distinct sources statements
were 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 Havana
was his own act resulting from the ac-
ceptancc of his resignation, said to have
been cabled last Sunday, OF whether it
had been brought about by the action of
latter case its Significance would be much
more marked.
Inquiries in official quarters elected
strong dcnials of the rumor. The WE'LL
known TACT was pointed out that pass
ports were not given to counsulS, but
only to ministers and ambassadors: That
iii case of IN offending or retiring consul
the document sent him on his departure
was his 'eXeuuatcr,'' or the official docu-
ment recognizing his right to exercise the
functions of his office and it was said
that not even the sc ni.diplonntic posi.
ton accorded TO our consul general mt
Havana, by consent of the Spanish gov.
eminent, would render his case where
passports. would be required. The re.
turn OF his ''cNequaturN to the consul
general would. .of course, he equivalent To
the sending of "pnssports' to IL minister.
But at the Spanish legation as well as
the State Department, it was emphati.
cally asserted that this course had not
been taken. The denial were quite us
emphatic rs for warships, and the con
ditional tender of his resignation. if this
request should not he granted
1t WAS stated on direct authority of a
member of the Cabinet that Secretary
Olney stated to his associates ut the Cab
met meeting Tuesday last that it was
not true that General Lee mad resigned
or that he had asked for warships Mr.
Olney, on this occasion, added that the
statements put out were simply an ut
tempt to run the State Department.
through the newspapers. 1t was again
said this morning, us coming from Secre-
tary Olney, that there was no change in
the Cuban situation. Thus the matter
rests.
Government officers, however, continue
TO deny the truth of statements that Gen.
cral Lees resignation has been received
ut the State Department. 1t is not de.
MED that there has been friction between
General Lee ana the department. but
confidence is expressed that General Lee
will he found ut his post up to and in
GLIDING March s. 1t is said that in ca
bling the department last week, in regard
to the Ruiz and Scott cases, General Lee
closed as follows:
IF am not supported my usefulness
here will end, and | had better be re.
callod.'
This. it is thought, may he the dispatch
from which the resignation stories have
risen.