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

the country was nearer 70 war with Francs
than we are row with Spain Even in the
then imperfect development Of diplomacy
II Was avoided without loss of honor 10
either nation. ard I, probably viii Dc the
case again"
II think the president il 20 be COM
mended." sad Representative Heaswole.
a member OF the house committee On Tor
efgn affairs. '.for declining TO recall Gen.
Lee. There is no reason why supplies
for suffering Cuhars should not De sent
in warships. Indeed, II is eminenfiy
proper that warshfps be sent TO CUBA 10
protect American citizens and interests
II prefer 10 wait for Official .nforma-
ton, not knowing On what grounds spain
has demanded Gen. Lees recall l can
not form an opinion OF the probable out-
come" said Representative Dingley.
floor leader Of the house.
IF Gen. Lees recall has been de-
manded by the Madrid government. said
Representative Perkins. III will produce
peculiar state Of affairs. We ought not
TO aceede TO the demand"
THE air is charged with the electricity
Of war" declared Representative Dock
cry. This demand on the part of Spain
cautions Us 10 keep a cool head and so
slow. II locks like Spain wants TO force
US 10 action. Ii Is evident that the sitca-
ton is growing critical, and that we may
expect new developments every day.
These remarkable demands from
Spain" said Representative Bankhead.
certainly aggravate the situation, and add
to the tension OF our relations with Spain.
There is no doubt that the American peo-
pie, Irrespective OF party. have high
opinion of Gen. Lee. II he should be
driven out Of Cuba for reasons not salts
factory 10 US, il would be like setting
match to a strawfield. The whole country
would be ablaze."
Senator Frye. member OF the committee
on foreign relations, said:
IF Spain has requested that relief sup
plies be sent in merchant vessels, and not
in armed warships. and We continue TO
send those supplies in warships, / think
IL might be regarded as an intervention
in the affairs OF Cuba. and therefore an
unfriendiy act
Il have confidence in Gen. Lee" added
Senator Frye. las far as have been ac-
quainted with his Official conduct in Cuba
/ entirely approve Of il. The reports have
not been published and. of course. all the
facts are not before US. but l approve OF
the course Of the president in retaining
Gen. Lee at Havana, as well as in sending
the relief in warships."
IF Spain gives Gen. Lee his passports
and insists on the termination of his Off
cial career at Havana, what course will
be left open for u.s.?
"As far as I see, we could only accept
the situation. l do not think that it would
be casus belii-
II cannot comprehend the reason for
such a request as Gen. Lees recall" said
Senator Fairbanks. land the president
should refuse TO comply. / have no infor-
nation on the subject, but am very anx-
ious to learn the facts. / am opposed to
war except when the rights of our citizens
and national honor are involved. The hour
OF high order"
Representative Hilborne, OF California
ranking Republican member Of the house
committee on naval affairs, believed that
the request for Gen. Lees recall and the
subsequent refusal could not be made q
cause for war. There were presidents
where our ministers or high diplomatic
officials abroad had become unacceptable
to the country to which they were accred-
tied. Judge Hilborne recalled the case OF
Minister Sergeant at Berlin, whose recall
was requested some fifteen years ago by
the German government The most this
country could do. Judge Hilborne thinks.
if Consul General Lees term Is brought to
an end by Spanish action. is TO refuse TO
appoint another in his place.
Il believe We have right TO send relief
TO Cuba in any kind OF vessels we WISH
declared Judge Hiiborne.
I'VE might arm our merchant vessels IL
they were transporting this relief to Gu
ba, and Spain would have no right to
object, unless there was a treaty with
this government, such as exists with Eng
land regarding vessels on the Great Lakes
against arming such vessels"
1T would be a great mistake" said
Representative Swanson, ITO recall Gen.
Lee az the present time. lie has per-
formed the duties Of his position ably.
manfully and vigorously. He has been
discreet. judicious and resoureeful and
the administration did what was right
in declining to meet Spains demands,
II the demand was made"