Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-03-08
SPANS Two Requests.

The promp and unqualified refusal of
the administration to Spain's requests
for the recall of Cen Lee from Havana
and in regard to the use Of our war
ships to carry supplies to the starving
Cubars. meets with the equally prompt
and unqualified approval of the Ameri
can public. SPANS attitude on these
matters adds to the complications o.
the present strained situation, and Ger
tainly does not tend To dispel the
gathering war clouds. If Spain wants
to force a war with the United States,
there may he method in her apparent
madness in making such requests If
our government.
Spain must have known that the
United States would refuse to recall
Gen. Lee. In the words of the defiant
answer to SPANS demand Gen. Leo
has borne himself throughout this
crisis With Judgment fidelity and
courage" and has shown himself under
many trying circumstances just the
man for the difficult place he occupies
II is official influence has been to calm
the public mind and avert rupture.
Remembering his concliatory attitude
on several occasions when an opposite
course on his part might have had un-
pleasant consequences for the Spanish
government. it can only seem that a d.
mand for his recall was njudicious and
even unreasonable. OF course diplo-
matte usage allows Spain to object to
the presence of Gen. Lee at Havana rs
the representative of this government,
and to ask for his recall, without giving
any reasons for such objections AMI
if this government refuses Ia recall
him, as it has unhesitatingly refused to
do. then Spain can give him his pass
ports and he must come home. Such
procedure on the part of Spain would
have an unmistakable look of ages
sively unfriendly intent. and would be
a long step in the direction of forcing
hostilities 1t would result in the sew
erance OF all diplomatic relations. and
would be the beginning of the end Of
Spanish dominion in Cuba.
As opposing the use of our war ships
in earring food to the Cuban people,
the demand of Spain is even NOR,
pctulant and unreasonable This relief
service of mercy and peace is one
which the war vessels of the United
since the late Commodore Forbes took
the sloep jamestown over from Boston
/ to Queenstown fifty years ago with
| corn for the relief of the famine
! striclltn Irish peasantry. Never before
/ has the propriety of this policy been
/ questioned. Is there any nation in the
/ civilized world. except Spain. which on
the plea Of military necessity would
have crowded tens of thousands OF
helpless men, women and children into
fortified towns. and not only leave them
there to perish with hunger and dis
ease. but lift a threatening hand
against the one power which has either
the disposition or the ability to save
them?
These two demands of Spain thu
latest development of Spanish "dipIo-
macy" have aroused much indigna
ton in every section of the country,
and the firm stand taken by our gov
eminent has the cordial support of
every loyal American. 1t must be ad-
mitted that the situation looks more
Hike war than at any time since the
loss of the Maine. War is much to b.,
preferred to peace without honor.
American rights must be maintained
and Spanish rule in Cuba must CEASE.
Tho crisis seems to be fast approac CHI