New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-26
MORE RTMORS ABOUT GENERAL LEE
A STORY THAT HE HAD REChlN FL MS
PASSPORTS CAUSED EXCITEMENT
IN WASHINGTON.

IN WASHINGTON
wosbiretor Feb 2j-From two distinct
,,,,roos statements were received here this
,orriro that Consul General Lee at Havana
chad received his passports" This rumor natu-
rauv caused excitement and a general desire
vac oxnressed to know definitely whether Cen
oral Iees contemplated withdrawal from Ha-
vana was his own act. resulting from the ac-
coptance Of his resignation. said to have been
cabled last Sunday or whether 1t had been
brought about by the action of the Spanish au-
thorities in Cuba in which latter case It's sighih-
canoe would be much more marked.
Inquiries in Official quarters ellcited SUohs
denials of the rumor. The well-kno"h 'ac' was
pointed out that passports were not given 10
consuls but only 10 Ministers ana AmpasSa-
dare. tho, in the case Of an offending or re-
turning consul the document sent to MN OF HIS
departure was his exequatur. or oitclal u"'u-
ment recognizing his right to exercise the iunc-
tiors Of his Office and 1t was said that not
oven the semi-dpomatic position accorded l"
the Consul General at Havana by consent Oh
the Spanish Government would render MS d
case where passports would be required. Inc
return Of his exequatur to the C"nsul-"'h''"'
would of course. be equivalent to the sehdihe
Of passports to a Minister. But at the spanish
legation as well as at the state Depar'ihc"''
it was emphatcally asserted that TINS COURSE
had not been taken. The denials were quite
as ennhatic as those previously put out in re-
gard TO General Lees request for warshps. ana
Tho conditional tender Of his resignation if this
request should not be granted. 1t was Sa'd Oh
the direct authority Of a member of the Cabi-
net that Secretary Olney informed his assocl-
ates at the Cabinet meeting Tuesday that 1t
had
he had asked for warships. Mr.. Olney on
this occasion. added that he exciting state
ments nut out were simply an attempt to run
the State Department through the news
papers"
II was again said this morning, as coming
from, Secretary Oney that there no change
in the Cuban situation. Thus the matter rests.
The report that Consu-General Lee had re-
ceived his passports from the Spanish authorities
in Cuba caused flutter at the Senate end OF IN"
Capitol where the action of the Senate com
mittee on the Sanguy case has revived interest
in Cuban affairs. Senators were guarded IN
their utterances prefnrring to await some con-
hrmatiol Of the report before committing them
selves to statements that were on their tongues
1t is not beyond the truth to say that consider
able norton Of the Senate hoped the report was
accurate for they say that nothing snort OF an
overt act on the part of Spain sufficient to compel
trouble in Cuba to an end or BRING ABOUT
the prot sCton Of American citizens.
Il hope to Heaven the report Is true saiu oHe
of the members of the Committee on Foreign
Relations. when told of the rumor III il Prov
to he the case, there is but one way ou' OF the
thing and the United states VIII be compelled To
take a hand in Cuban matters.
Several members of the Foreign Relations
Committee were at the reception at the biitish
Embassy last night. one of these Senator'S.
meeting Secretary Oney. found "A moment III
which to ask him If there was anything new IN
the situation, reminding the Secretary mat the
committee Of which he was a member would mold
a special meeting this morning. MIR. Dln"y re-
piled to the request for information, this Senator
says with the remark that he had nothing 10
saw but must refer Senators To the newspaper
which appeared to he furnishing all the Cuban
news nowadays.
The statement made to-day on the floor
OF the House. on the authority of a prominent
southern Congressman. that Consul General
Lee had resigned his office. The Congressman
said that he had seen the dispatch from the Con
sui General at the State Department. and that
Secretary Olney had requested that official not
TO press the resignation until after the expiration
OF the present Administration. The dispatch in
question was received AZ the State Department
either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning
Government officers. however. continue to deny
the truth OF statements that General Lees resig-
nation has been received at the Department Of
State 1t is not denied that there has been fric-
ton between General Lee and the Department.
but confidence Is expressed that he VIII be found
AT his post up to and including March T. 1t is
said that General Lee in cabling to the Depart
cases closed as follows: IF am not supported
my usefulness here VIII end and ] had better he
recalled" This II II thought. may be the dis
patch from which the resignation stories have
arisen.
III