Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-07

approximations, to New York.
Speaking of the Madrid dispatch ana
the statement made by Assistant-Secre-
tary Day. Senator Davis, chairman OF the
Foreign Relations Committee. saic:
"It Is a circumstance which, added 10
the preent strained condition, makes
Things more yexatious. l approve the
Presidents action in every particular
senator Pettigrew said: II certainly ap-
prove the PRESIDENTS course In the MAJ
ter think that, in view OF the fact
that it is conceded the Maine vas blown
up. the president would be justified In
sending battleships. loaded with compus-
tibles. as wen as food. and filed with
arineu men. 1t seems 10 me We cannot
accept any settlement short OF the inde-
pendenee OF Cuba"
Senator Cuilom: l regard the course
pursued by the President in answer 10
the Spanish Government as right. ana
justified by all the conditions. and the
American people will endorse him In the
position ne has taken. 1 have believed
tor some days tnat we were nearing
crisis or culmnation of troubles from
day TO day, and IT mas seemed TO me that
the Spanish Government was endeavor-
ing to bring on a conflict between the
ernment desires it or not. on this account
It would be almost forced into war with
spain. our people do not want war,
neither does the President. but neither
he nor the people will submit to any
humiliation at the hands OF the Span
isrds. / think IT is another step on their
part in forcing an issue between that
government and our OwR.'
c,Cr-,rrr nrnr-rN Arr
Senator Morgan said: 81 heartily APP
plaud the Presidents action. We of
the South are very proud of General
Lee and his conduct in Cuba. 1t onlv
proves, what we have always known
about him, that he is a brave. patriotic
man. fearless to do his duty under all
circumstances. The recall Of General
Lee, in my opinion, was in Difference 10
the mob sentiment In Madrid. After all
the forbearance we have shown Spain
in making our country base for her sup
plies, she turns upon us. and turns every
thing done by US into an act Of enmity.
After awhile we will be sufficiently In
formed as to the intentions of the Span
ish Government towards us to meet them
half way"
Representative Grosvenor of Ohio, said:
Spain has the undoubted right TO make
a peremptory demand for the withdrawal
of General Lee. Under ordinary circum-
stances, this government would oe bound
10 grant this concession upon demand,
but under existing circumstances, where
the withdrawal of Lee would be an i'm
piled censure of his course. the Presl-
dent 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 President could not afford, mas
much as General Lee, i'm all his acts,
has met the entire approval of the Presi-
dent. IL Spain has required the with
drawal, and the President has refused,
Spain will probably dismiss Lee imme-
diately, and send him home. IL the
President feels offended at the spirit OF
Spains action, he need not send any one
in Lees place. This comes pretty near
being an open rupture between the two
governments.
80 far as the sending OF the ships
with supplies for the starving subjects
of Spain is concerned. change of plans
is not to be considered for a moment.
Spain having consented. that she should
now, in sort Of hysterical effort to
please her own subjects, seek to with
draw that consent, and try to dictate
the means of transmission by which sup
plies should be sent, is not to be accept
ed. If Spain has done what is alleged,
il looks as though she were seeking
quarrel, and that she were seeking II at
a time when she might possibly cover
up the disclosures of the report of our
commission now investigating the cs1use'
OF the destruction of the Maine. Still,
nations have been great deal nearer
blows than we are with Spain, and war
has been ayerted."
FRYE HAS CONFIDENCE IN LEE.
Senator Frye, member OF the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations, said:
''If Spain has requested that relief sup
plies be sent in merchant vessels and not
i'm armed warships, and we continue to
send those supplies in warships, l think
it might be regarded as an Intervention
in the affairs of Cuba, Ind, therefore, an
unfriendly act.
81 have confidence in General Lee"
added Senator Frye. LAS far as have
been acquainted with his official conduct
in Cuba, / entirely approve of it,
"If Spain gives General Lee his pass
ports, and insists on the termination of
his official career at Habana, what course
will be left open for us?
"As far as / can see, we could only ac-
cept the situation. | do not think that
would be a casus bellL"
SENATOR FAIRBANKS.
81 cannot comprehend the reason for
such a request as General Lees recall"
said Senator Fairbanks. 'and the Presi-
dent should refuse 10 comply. / am OPP
posed to war, except when the rights OF
our citizens and national honor are in
volved. The hour demands sober judS-
ment, and conservatism OF high order"
CONGRESSMAN SWANSON.
"It would be a great mistake" said
Representative Swanson, "tO recall Gene
raj Lee at the present time. lie has per-
formed the duties of his position ably,
manfully, and vigorously. He has been
discreet, judicious, and resourceful, and
the administration did what was right IN
declining to meet Spain's demand, If the
demand was made"
II prefer to wait for official informa-
ton not knowing on what grounds spain
has demanded General Lees recall.
'T cannot form an opinion OF the pro-
bable outcome" said Representative
DlngIey, floor leader Of the House.
WE SHOULD KEEP COOL.
"The air is charged with the electricity
OF war" declared Representative Dock
cry This demand on the part of Spain
cautions us to keep n cool head, and 90
slow. IL looks like Spain wants to force
us 20 action. 1t is evident that the stu
alton is growing critical, and that we
may expect new developments any day."