Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-07
Surprising Action Taken by the
Spanish Government.
PROMPT REFUSAL BY THE PRESIDENT
Supplies to Be Taken to Cuba by
Some Warship.
De LONE AFFAIRS SEQUEL


most serious phase. due to the request of
the Spanish government for the recall of
Consul General Lee at Havana the cour-
Ieous but firm refusal of the United States
10 comply; the suggestion by the Spanish
government of the Improperly of sending
relief supplies to the Cuban reconcentra-
does on American warships.
The first iltima ton of these steps came
in brief and explicit cable dispatch from
Madrid After a conference at the White
House between the President Assistant
Secretary Day of the State Department and
Secretary Long of the Navy Department
The following authorized statement was
made by Judge Day as comprising every
thing that was to be said by the admins
Iration On the subject:
The President will not consider the re-
call OF Gen. Lee He has borne himself
throughout this crisis with judgment fidel-
ity 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 YES
sells, whichever may be best adapted and
est available fer the purpose, to Matan-
zas and Sagua."
The request for Gen. Lees recall is I'M
derstcod to have come within the last few
days 1t came through Minister Wood
lord The other suggestion of the Span
lSh government-that relief supplies should
not DC sent In war vassels-was presented
By Senior du Bose to the State Department
last Friday. The responses in both cases
went direct to Minister Woodford. In the
protest against the Montgomery and Nash
Vile. judge Day conferred with Secretary
Long and Capt. Crowninshield, chief of
the bureau of navigation. There appeared
10 d. no reason why a change should be
made in the plan for sending these ships on
the relief mission, and without attaching
grave significance TO the request of the
Spanish government. the answer was mad.
that the plans for the trip were completed
and that the stay of thu ships would be
brief and of the most pacific character
In responding to the request for Cen
Lees recall, the President does not appear
10 nave deemed the subject opened to such
G'scussion as would require the views of
his cabinet associates. and after a brief
exchange between the White House and
the State Department the negative answer
Was dispatched to Minister woodford
Reason for spain'- Action.
The grounds on which Ger Lees recall
was asked are not officially disclosed. 1t
Is know2. however, that the Spanish gov
erhm1nt has chafed for seine time over
E-n. Lees presence in Havana. although
this had never taken the form of a definite
protest prior to the present time 1t began
~ assume g more serious aspect shortly
after the arrivai of the Maine at Havana
At that ttEae Gen. Lee escorted Capt Siss-
bee on his round of official calls These
were made with due formality but the
spanish officials took ofens> when the
calls were restricted to Gen. Blaneo Adj
H-ral MaHtaroia, and the representatives
oi The military arm of Spain's service. and
did not include Premier GaIvez and his as
soclates Of :he autonomist cabinet. who
represent the new civil regime which Spair
Is seeking to enforce. The matter came To
the attention of Senior Dupuy de LON,
then Spanish minister at Washington. and
although there We're no protests. the sit,
uaticn doubtless reached the State Derarf
ment, as suitable amends were made nv
tapt- SiSsbee calling on DR. Congosto the.
c-Vli secretary general; Premier GaIyez and
MS associates There like irritation
over dinner by Consul General Lee to
the ofheers of the Maine. The list of GUESTS
oh that occasion is said to have omitted
some OF the spanish naval officers. and to
have included. quite conspicuousIy. the
nam CT q number of American newSpone
correspondents. who were regarded by the
Spanish officials at Havana as antaco1istic
10 them This also came TO the attention
OF the officials here but was not made H..
basis for any action, but rather unofficial
Spanish criticism of Gen. Lees general
mode Of procedure
There are other circumstances. however
which clearly disclose the grounds for the
1I,bo
Is not known that Spain has made any ex
act specifications of complaint Since the
Maine disaster report has been circu-
4&ted IN this country that Gen. Lee had
expressed the personal opinion that the
Explosion was due to external cause. No
Official report of this character was sent
10 Washington, far as is known.
But the mere circulation of the report at
Madrid attributing such views to Gen.
Lee mas been the source of much feeling
in Spanish official circles The press 6ts-
patches from Madrid also disclose tnat
Gen Lee s held accountable at the Spar-
ish capital for the project of the purcbasa
If Cuba by the United States from Spain.
as well as for general sentiment of SYM
riithy toward the insurgents The suy-
Gtstion CT the Impartial, leading govern
nent organ that the next session of the
c"rtes will consider the case of Gen Leo
shows the strong influences which induce
tie Sagasta cabinet to ask his recall.
In this connection the fact is noted that
Senior Dupuy de LONE is due in Spain at
ms time. His enforced retirement on a
ds Tnand by the United States is felt to
have awakened counter sentiment at
Madrid. which finds expression against
Consul General Lee. There is little doubt
also that such advice Seror Dupuy de
Lone would give TO the government or to
the press in Madrid would rot be condu-
Give toward the retention of Gen. Lee.
There IS little doubt, however, that the
lain cause Of SPANS action is the sympa-
thy Gen. Lee has shown for the Cuban in
sursents.
IL is known that his active and open
sympathy with the people who have suf-
fcred so greatly during the present insur-
rection, American citizens as well as sa-
tive Cubans. mas not been accepted by the
Spanish officials in Cuba as an exhibition
o. disirterested officialism, such as is ex-
pected of consular officers. There were
Car,