Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-03-10

marine inspection. That the permis-
ut La Seinne, Toulon. These are
smaii u powerful little battleships.
lne London reports also caused COM
uieut at the state department. In
some quarters the feeling was ey-
pressed that, pending the finding Of n
court OF inquiry on a case having the
International phases of the Maine ex-
plosion, the obligations of neutrality
We're as strongly imposed on Great
Britain and Brazil as In time of war
me precedents apply only to a condi-
uon or war and not to conditions
which may eventually lead to war. In
the Geneva award, however. unfriend-
~ acts by Great Britain prior to the
out of the rebellion copsti-
tuted part of the cause on which
heavy damages Were awarded gains
hef. But as a general rule foreign
governments are free to sell warships
either directly or through their citi-
zens up to the actual date Of HOSTILE
ties.
Things were very quiet. at least ey-
ternally, in the war department.
Washington, March S-The Spanish
situation developed two new phases
yesterday, when it became known
that the Spanish government had for
mally requested the recall of Consul
General Lee from his post at Havana,
TO which request the United States
had c~ourteousIy but firmly refused to
comply; also that the Spanish govern
meht has suggested the improperly of
-
sending relief supplies TO the Cuban
reconcentradoS on the cruiser Mont
gomery and gunboat Nashville, to
which suggestion the United States
has given a like answer in the mega
tive.
The first intimation of these steps
came in a brief and explicit cable dis.
patch from Madrid. Prior to its re-
ceipt, however, the authorities here
had been fully conversant of the facts.
although no intimation had been al.
lowed to get to the public on either
subject. The disclosures from Madrid
left no further ground for reticence in
Washington, and after a conference at
hiAC " hltS iictSN btiNttu lllt DItSI~
dent, Assistant Secretary Day and
Secretary Long the following author
lied statement was handed to the AS
sociated Press by Judge Day, as com
prising everything that was to be said
by the administration on the subject:
Satisfied With Lee.
The president viii not consider the
recall of Gen. Lee. He has borne
himself throughout this crisis with
Judgment. fidelity and courage, to the
presidents entire satisfaction. AS to
the supplies for the relief of the Gu
ban people, all arrangements have
been made to carry a consignment this
week from Key West by one of the
naval vessels, whichever may be best
1 adapted and most available for the
purpose, to Matanzas and Sagua."
Although the officials here are non
c0mmittal on the subject, 1t Is believed
that the request for Gen. Lees recall
was made at least a day or two ago..
and that the Spanish government. az
ter receiving the reply of the state de-
partment, has not insisted either Upon
Lees recall or upon its contention that
the relief supplies should not be sent
to Cuba in naval vessels.
Beyond the foregoing those who had
participated in the conference at the
White House would not discuss the
| subject, and it was stated positively
that the authorized statement com
prised everything that would be given
10 any one.
Presidents Prompt Action.
l., .U,A II N. IN thAt AnfNn1 for fNnn
| Lees recall. the president does not
appear TO have deemed the subject
| open TO such discussion AS would re-
quire the views of his cabinet associ-
ates, and after a brief exchange be-
tween the White House and the state
department the negative answer vas
| dispatched to Minister Woodford.
One phase of the incident that tends
to show the firm stand taken by the
administration is the expedition with
which the action was accomplished.
Such a matter ordinarily is laid be-
fore the cabinet, the views of all its
members personally given and the
fullest opportunity afforded for dis
cussion. But in this case the Associ-
ated Press bulletin furnished TO some
members of the cabinet the first infor-
nation they had that Gen. Lees SER
vice was open to question. The ground
on which Gen. Lees recall was asked
are not officially disclosed. 1t is
known, however, that the Spanish
government has chafed for some time
over Gen. Lees presence in Havana,
although this has never taken the
form of a definite protest prior to the
present time.
Caused No Little Excitement.
Senior du Bose. when seen ut the
Spanish legation, could add little to
the fund of Information on the two
subjects which We're attracting 50
much attention. He had received no
word from his government concerning
Gen. Lee, and he stated positively
that no suggestion concerning Gen.
Lees retirement had been submitted
by him to the state department. As
to the sending Of relief supplies by
the Montgomery and Nashville, Mr..
Du Bose said he felt that merchant
vessels were much better equipped for
such service and their use was not
open to the misconstruction possible
in sending supplies by vessels of the
navy.
nm news concerning Gen. Lee