Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-07

! from day to day ,and 1t has seemed to me
| that the Spanish government was endeav-
| oring to bring on conflict between that
| government and ours.
CuIIom Thinks 1t Means War.
Whether this government desires it or
| not on this account. it would be almost
| forced into war with Spain. do not well
| understand, in view of the interest or
| manifestation of interest this country has
| taken in the conflict which has been going
| on between Spain and the Cubans how a
withdrawal Of any kind could be thought
| of. either from the point of view of na-
! tionaI interest or of common humanity.
| Our people do not want war, neither does
| the president but neither the president
| nor the people will submit to any humilia-
| ton at the hands of the Spaniards. think
| it is another step on their part into fore
| ing an issue between that government and
| our own
Senator Morgan said: II heartily applaud
| the presidents action in the dispatch
brought to my attention. I do not think
| the Spanish government will insist upon
! Lees recall, nor do l think 1t will refuse
| Il bounty TO those poor starving creatures.
the reconcentrados though it may be dished
| out TO them with mailed hand. We are
| proud of General Lee and his conduct in
| Cuba. He not only. proves what We have
| di"dyS hNo"H iiliH-tiidl iC a
| brave, patriotic man, fearless to do his
| duty under all circumstances. The recall
| of General Lee in my opinion was in defer
ence to the mob sentiment in Madrid. After
| all the forbearance we have shown Spain
| in making our country a base for her sup
| plies she turns upon us and makes every
| thing done by US into an act of enmitT.
After awhile We will be sufficiently in
| formed as to the intentions of the Spanish
government toward us to meet them half
| way"
| Grosvenor's View of 1t.
| Representative Grosvenor, of Ohio, said
| Spain has the undoubted right TO make
peremptory demand for the withdrawal of
| General Lee. Under ordinary circumstances
this government would be bound to grant
! this concession upon demand. but under
| existing circumstances, where the with
| drawal of Lee would be an implied CEN
sure Of his course, the president should
| refuse just as peremptorily. The conces-
| sion of the withdrawal Of Lee would leave
| an inference of censure on the part of this
| government, and that the president could
not afford to do, inasmuch General Lee.
| in all his acts, has met the entire approval
| Of the president. If Spain has requested
| the withdrawal and the president has re-
| fused, Spain will probably dismiss Lee i'm
! mediately and send him home. If the presi-
| dent feels offended in the spirit of Spain 9
| action, he need not send anyone in Lees
| place. This comes pretty near being an
| open rupture between two governments.
so far as the sending of the ships with
| supplies for the starving subjects of Spain
| is concerned, change of plans is not to
| be considered for moment. Spain hay-
ing consented. that she should now in a
sort of hysterical effort to please her own
4 1,;a xf-ifh hot anf
and try to dictate the means of transpor-
tation by which supplies should be sent
| is not to be accepted. If Spain has done
| what Is alleged 1t looks as though she were
| seeking a quarrel and that she was seek
| ing 1t at a time when she might possibly
| cover up the disclosure of the report of our
commission now investigating the cause of
| the destruction of the Maine. Nations
| have been a great deal nearer blows than
| We are with Spain. and war has been
averted. In one of our earlier experiences.
when Adams was president, the country
was nearer to war with France than we
are now with Spain. Even entirely and
imperfect development of diplomacy was
avoided without loss. of honors to either
nation. and it probably will be the case
again.
Commended McKfnIcy's Action.
IHluh tne pTeSluenI IS 10 De COM
mended," said Representative Heatwole, a
member of the house committee on foreign
affairs, for declining to recall General Lee
at the request of Spain. There is no reason
why supplies for suffering Cubans should
not be sent in warships. Indeed. it Ii
eminently proper that warships be sen,
to Cuba to protect American citizens anG
interests"
Il prefer to wait for official informa
ton, not knowing on what grounds Spair
has demanded General Lees recall. can
not form an opinion of the probable out
come" said Representative Dingley. fiool
leader of the house.
IF General Lees recall has been demand
ed by the Madrid government" said Rep
resentative Perkins, lit will produce yer,
acute state of affairs. We ought not to &C
cede to the demand"
''The air is charged with the electrict,
of war;" declared Representative Dockery
This demand on the part of Spain eau
tions us to keep cool head and go slow.
looks like Spain wants to force us to ac
ton. 1t is evident that the situation il
growing critical, and that We may expec
new developments every day."
These remarkable demands from Spain,
said Representative Bankhead. 'certaini,
aggravate the situation, and add to tn
tension of our relations with Spain. Their
is no doubt that the American people. ir
respective of party, have high opinion o
General Lee. If he should be driven out O
Cuba for reasons not satisfactory to us
| it would be like setting match to a stray
field. The whole country would be in
blaze"
senator Frye's Opinion.
Senator Frye. member of the committe
on foreign relations-"If Spain has request
ed that relief supplies be sent in merchan
vessels and not in warships, and we con
tinue to send those supplies in warships
l think 1t might be regarded an inter
vention in the affairs of Cuba, and. there
fore. an unfriendly act.
Il have confidence in General Lee" adde
Senator Frye LAS far as have been ac
quainted with his official conduct in Cuba
, / entirely approve of it. The reports hav
! not been published, and. of course. tn
, facts are not before us. but / approve o
the course of the president in retainn
, | General Lee at Havana, as well as In send
ing the relief in war vessels
: IF Spain gives General Lee his passport
1 and insists on the termination of his Off
: cial career at Havana, what course will
| left open for us?"
e las far as l see. we could only accept TIL
c | situation. l do not think that would be
e | Casus belli.'
d Il cannot comprehend the reasons for sue
: a request as General Lees recall" sal
3 Senator Fairbanks. land the presider
should refuse to comply. ! have no ir
formation on the subject. but am yer
: anxious to learn the facts. l am oppose
e 10 war. except when the rights of our eli
: liens and national honor are involved. Th
| daypa riS iyldO