The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-07
THE STRAIN is GREATER
SPAiN'S DEMANDS COMPLICATE MAT
TERS, SAYS SENATOR DAVIS
Chairman of the Foreign Relations
Committee Approves the Presi-
dents Emphatic Reply-COm-
ment on the Incident Among Con-
gressmen In Washington.

WASHINGTON. March 6-Speaking
OF the Madrid dispatch and the state
ment made by Assistant Secretary
Day, Senator Davis, chairman of the
foreign relations committee, said: "It
is a circumstance which, added to the
present strained relations, makes
things more vexatious I approve the
presidents action in every particular"
Senator Pettigrew said: II certainly
approve the presidents course In the
matter. l should Judge the request to
recall our consul general Is somewhat
unusual, and under other circumstances
would be complied with, but the con-
dftions precedent to this case take it
out of the usual rule and justified the
presidents action. I think that, in
view of the fact 1t is conceded the
Maine was blown up, the president
would be justified in sending battle,
ships loaded with combustibles as we'll
as food, and filled with armed men. It
seems to me we cannot accept any set
tlement short Of the independence Of
Cuba" 49, -..,.-..
Senator Cullom said: 1T regard the
course pursued by the president IN
answer to the Spanish government as
right, justified by all the conditions,
and the American people will indorse
him in the position he has taken. I
have believed for some days that we
were nearing a crisis or elimination of
troubles from day to day, and it has
seemed to me that the Spanish gov
ernment was endeavoring to bring on
a conflict between that government and
ours, whether this government desires
1t or not. On this account it would be
| almost forced into war with SPAIN"
Il do not wei understand, in view
OF the interest or manifestation of in
terest this country has taken in this
conflict which has been going on be-
tween Spaine and the Cubans, how
withdrawal Of any kind could be
thought of, either from the point Of
view of national interest Or of COM
| mon humanity. Our people do not
want war, neither does the president.
but neither the president nor the peo-
the hands Of the Spaniards. I think
It Is another step on their part into
I forcing an issue between that govern
ment and our own"
Senator Morgan said: 1T heartily ap-
plaud the presidents action in the dis
patch brought TO my attention I do
not think the Spanish government will
1t will refuse bounty to those poor
starving creatures, the reconcentrados,
though it may be dished out to them
with a mailed hand. We Of the South
are very
Proud Of Gen. Lee
and his conduct in Cuba It only
proves what we have always known
about him-that he is a brave, patriot
ic man, fearless to do his duty under all
circumstances. The demand for the re-
call of Gen. Lee in my opinion was In
Difference to the mob sentiment in Mad
rid. After all the forbearance we have
shown Spain in making our country
base for her supplies, she turns upon
us and makes everything done by us
into an act Of enmity After awhile we
will be sufficiently informed as to the
intentions Of the Spanish government
toward us to meet them half way"
Representative Grosvenor, Of Ohio,
said: Spain has the undoubted right
to make peremptory demand for the
withdrawal Of Gen. Lee Under ordi-
nary circumstances his government
would be bound to grant this concession
upon demand, but, under existing cir
cumstances, where the withdrawal Of
Lee would be an implied censure Of his
course, the president should refuse
just as peremptorily. The concession
of the withdrawal Of Lee would leave
an inference Of censure on the part of
this government, and that the presi-
dent could not afford to do, inasmuch
as Gen. Lee, in all his acts, has met
the entire approval Of the president.
If Spain has requested the withdrawal
and the president has refused, Spain
will probably dismiss Lee Immediately
and send him home. If the president
feels offended at the spirit Of Spain's
action, he need not send any one in
Lees place. This comes pretty near
being an open rupture between the two
governments.
$50 far as sending Of the ships with