The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-07
WANTED LEES RECALL.
Spaniards Also Object to War YES
sels Carrying Food to Cuba.
BOTH REQUEsTsFIRMLY REFUSED


Meantime the Belief Is Growing in
Havana That War Is Imminent,
While YarIike Preparations Are Be-
ing Rapidly Pushed at League Island.
Washington, March 1.-The Spanish
situation developed two new phases
yesterday, when it became known that
the Spanish government had formally
requested the recall Of Consul General
Lee from his post at Havana, to which
request the United States had courte-
ously but firmly refused to comply:
also, that the Spanish government has
suggested the improperly of sending
relief supplies to the Cuban reconcen-
trados on the cruiser Montgomery and
gunboat Nashville, to which suggestion
the United States had given ike an
Ewer in the negative.
The first intimation of these steps
came In brief and explicit cable dis
patch from Madrid. Prior to its re-
Oeipt. however the authorities here had
been fully conversant with the facts,
although no intmation had been al
aOWVu " 6Ct ~ thC PupiiS oii SiNhSh SUI
ject. This disclosure from Madrid left
no further ground for reticence in
Washington, and after n conference at
the White House between the president,
Assistant Secretary Day, of the state
department, and Secretary Long, Of the
navy department, the following au-
thorized statement was handed to the
press by Judge Day as comprising
everything that was to be said by the
administration on the subject:
1.-THE president will not consider the
recall of General 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 Cuban
people, all arrangements have been
made to carry consignment this week
from Key West by one of the naval
vessels. whichever may be best adapted
and most available for the purpose. to
Matanzas and Sagua."
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
to anyone.
The request for General Lees recall
is understood to have come within the
last few days, and doubtless since the
last cabinet meeting on Friday, as no
reference was made to 1t at that time.
1t came through Minister Woodford a
somewhat unusual procedure, as the
,0In nf NJ bn with
drawal of minister or q consul is
through the representative of the gov
ernment making the request, which in
this case is Senor pu Bose, the Spanish
charge d'affaires. Mr.. Du Bose had re-
ceivcd no instructions on the subject
and was in complete ignorance of the
demands made through Minister Wood
ford. The other suggestion Of the Span
ish government-that relief supplies
should not be sent in war vessels--did
not come through Minister Woodford,
but was presented by Senior Du Bose
to the state department last Friday.
The grounds on which General Lees
recall was asked are not officially dis
closed. 1t Is known, however, that the
Spanish government has chafed for
some time over General Lees presence
in Havana, although this had never
taken the form of definite protest
prior to the present time. 1t began to
assume more serious aspect shortly
after the arrival of the Maine at Ha-
vana. At that time General Lee escort
ed Captain Sigsbee on his round Of Of
fetal calls These were made with due
formality, but the Spanish officials took
offense when the calls were restricted
to General Blanco Admiral Mantarola
and the representatives Of the military
arm of Spains service, and did not in
Cluds Premier GalveZ and his associates
Of the autonomous cabinet. The mat
ter came to the attention Of Senor Du-
puy de Lone, then Spanish minister at
Washington, and although there were
no protests, the situation doubtless
reached the state department, as suit
sble amends were made by Captain
6igsbee's calling on DR.. Congosto, the
civil secretary general, and Premier
Galvez and his associates.
There Was like irritation over a din
ner given by Consul General Lee to
the officers of the Maine. The list of
guests on that occasion is said 10 have
omitted some of the Spanish naval Of
fcers, and 10 have included. quite con-
spicuously, the names Of a number of
American newspaper correspondents
who were regarded by the Spanish Of
ncials at Havana as antagonist tic to
them.
Since the Maine disaster report has
been circulated that General Lee held
the personal opinion that the explosion
was due to external cause. No official
report of this character was ever sent
to Washington so far as is known But
the mere circulation of the report at |
Madrid, attributng such views to Cen
eral Lee, has been the source Of much
feeling in Spanish official circles. The
press dispatches from Madrid also dis
CLOSE that General Lee Is held account
able at tha Spanish capital for Sle pro-
1ect OF the purchase of Cuba by the
United States from Spain, as well as
for 81 general sentiment of sympathy
toward the insurgents. The suggestion
Of The impartial, a leading government
organ, that the next session of the
oortes will consider the case of General
Lee. shows the strong influences which
Induced the Sasas1a cabinet to ask his
recall. Senior Dupuy de Lgmes en-
forced retirement is also felt to have
awakened a counter sentiment at Mad
rio, which finds expression against
Consul General Lee.
There is little doubt. however, that
the main cause If Spain's action 10 the
sympathias General Lee has shown for
The Cuban sufferers. 1t is shown that
bis active and open sympathy with the
people who have suffered so greatly
during the present insurraotion. Amer-
can citizen. as we'll as native Cubans,
has net been accepted by the Spanish
pfficials In Cuba as all exhibition Of dis
Interested offcinlsn, such as is ex-
peoted Of consular officers.
As matter Of fact, Spain requires
no formal excuse for the dismissal Of
a consular officer, according to interna-
tionnl law. Thssa officers are not en-
lowed usually with Diplomatic priv