The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-07

WASHINGTON. March 6.--The Span
ish situation developed two new phases
today. when 1t became known that the
Spanish government had formally re-
quested the recall of Consul General Lee
at his post at Havana. to which request
the United States had courteously but
firmly refused 10 comply, also that the
Spanish government has suggested the
Improperly of sending relief supplies to
the Cuban reconcentrados on the cruiser
Montgomery and gunboat Nashville, TO
which question the United States govern-
ment had given like answer In the neg
atve
The first intimation Of these steps came
in brief and explicit cablegram from
Madrid. Prior TO its receipt, however,
the authorities here had been fully con-
yersant with the facts. although no inti-
nation had been allowed TO get 10 the
public on either subject
The disclosures from Madrid left no
further ground for retieence In WASH
ington. and after conference at the
White House between the president. AS
sstant Secretary Day. of tho state de-
partment, and Secretary Long. OF the
navy department. the following author
ized statement was handed to the Asso-
ciated Press by Judge Day. as compris-
Ing everything that was to he said by
the administrator on the subject:
''The president viii not consider the
recall of Gen. Lee. lie has borne him.
self throughout this crisis with judg-
ment. fidelity and courage. TO the prcsi-
dents entire satisfaction.
"As TO the supplies for the relief OF
the Cuban people. all arrangements have
been made to carry a consignment from
Key West by one OF the naval vessels,
whichever may be most adapted for tho
purpose, to Matanzas and Sagua."
Beyond the foregoing those who had
participated In the conference at the
White House would not discuss the SUBJ
ject, and 1t was stated positively that the
authorized statement comprised every
thing that would be~given to any one.
The adyices from Madrid. together with
the authoritative statement here, left no
room for doubt as to what had occurred.
The request for Gen. Lees recall Is
understood to have come within the last
few days. and doubtless since the last
cabinet meeting on Friday. as no refer
ence was made to 1t at that time. II
came through Minister Woodford, u
somewhat unusual procedure. as the
common mode of requesting the with
drawal OF "a minister or a consul Is
through the representative OF the gov
ernmeBt making the request. which In
this case IL Senior Du Bose, the Spanish
charge d'anaires. Mr.. Du Bose has re-
ceived no instructions on the subject, and
was in complete Ignorance OF the de-
mands made through Minister Wood
ford. The other suggestion of the Span
ish government that relief supplies
should not be sent in warships did not
come through Minister Woodford. as the
Madrid dispatches state. but waa pre-
sented by Senior Du Bose TO the state de-
partment last Friday.
The response in both cases went direct
to Minister woodford. There was no
loss of time. however. In assembling a
special session of the cabinet. or even In
any general conference between the pres
ident and his cabinet advisers individually.
In the protest against the Montgomery
and Nashville Judge Day conferred with
Secretary Long, who in turn called on
Capt. crowninshield. chief Of the bureau
OF navigation. There appears 10 be no
reason why a change should be made in
the plan for sending these ships on shs
relief mission, and without attaching Sig
nifcance to the request OF the spanish
government, the answer WAS made that
the plans for the "trip were completed and
tha; the stay OF the ships would be brief
and Of the most pacific character.
In responding 10 the request for Gen.
Lees recall. the president does not APP
pear 10 have deemed the subject open
TO such discussion as would require the
views Of his cabinet associates. aud after
brief exchange between the White
House and the state department.. the neg-
atsye answer was dispatched 10 Minister
woodsoTd. One phase OF the incIden, hat
tends 10 ahow the firm stand taken by ths
administration i the expedition with
whicn the action WAS accomplished suah
a matter ordinarily IL laid before the cab
met, the views Of all is rnembsrs per-
sonaIIy given, and the fullest opporspnyt2