New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-07

received for Consul General Lees recall and for
the abandonment OF all schemes of relief
through the agency of American warships. But
the arrival here OF two fold request Of this
sort from Madrid is presupposed In the formal
statement issued by the State Department to-
night, that il has not recalled and will not re-
call General Lee from his present post, and that
the Government cruisers assigned to carry pro-
visions TO sufferers in Cuba will start upon their
mission OF philanthropy and mercy this week.
No reasons have apparently been divulged by
the Spanish Government for its desire to force
the return Of General Lee TO the United States
GENERAL LEES GOOD RECORD
I he American Consul-General at Havana has
been known, Of course. to be an aggressive and
outspoken champion of what he has considered
American interests. political and commercial
and his activity and energy have brought him
into frequent collision with the Cuban civil and
military authorities. But as far as the State De-
partment knows the Spanish Government can
bring no proof 10 substantiate the charge that
he has ever overstepped the bounds OF official
propriety or been guilty Of any breach of dplo-
matte or consular etiquette. II could not there
fore. on the simple representation Of Spain that
his removal would be agreeable. consent to
smirch General Lees reputation as an efficient
and vgant agent of the Government who had
filled a post or great difficulty with skill and
judgment. by recalling him to this country In
virtual disgrace
PROMPT REFUSAL BY THE PRESIDENT.
The President and his advisers had no hcsita-
ton, therefore, in promptly refusing to cut short
General Lees official career. trusting the good
sense and moderation Of the Spanish Govern
ment to see the proprety Of this refusal and to
fovh frnr fncic TING har
with its unexpected and unsupported demand
1t is. OF course. competent for Spain TO with
draw at any time Geueral Lees exequatur, and
thus force his return TO the United States. Such
a right is reserved by every Government which
receives the consuls Of foreign Power. and for
such revocation no reasons need be given by the
Nation which desires to terminate the service
within its territory Of any consular agent But
the dismissal by Spain OF so conspicuous a repre-
sentative Of the policy in Cuba by two American
Administrations. on definite or plausible
pretext whatever. could not well be interpreted
save as an unvarranted afrront to a friendly
nation-an affront whose consequences in the
present strained relations between the two coun.
tries could not fail TO be far-reaching and
omnous
BELIEF THAT SPAIN WILL NOT PERSIST,
1t is the belief OF the State Department Of.
fcals that Spain. in the face OF this Govern
ment's prompt and firm denial, will not persist
In its desire 10 oust General Lee from his
present post. 1t is hoped by them also that
obstacles Will be thrown in the way OF the
delivery OF the supplies collected In this coun-
try for the starving Cubans by United States
warships. This Government as Is well known.
cannot charter merchant vessels TO carry tha
provisions contributed for Cuban sufferers 10
Havana except by authority OF Congress and
10 secure that authority and 10 arrange for
transportation by merchant ships would involve
much irritating and useless delay
continuance OF the friendly policy toward
Cuba followed by this Administration seems
largely dependent. indeed. upon a recession on
Spain's part from the two demands made In
yesterdays communication to Minister Wood
ford: and, though prepared TO meet with decision
any contrary programme. the Administration
still counts on maintaining without any sacri-
fce OF dignity the attitude 1t has consistently
held for the last three months toward Spain.
PERSONA NON GRATA.
As has already been said officials of the state
Department do not believe that Spain will rs-
yoke Consul General Lees sxeQuatur. although