Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-03-12

against General Lee has been smoothed
over, and the request for his recall was for
that reason in the nature OF complete
SUNRISE. There are circumstances which
clearly disclose the grounds for the recall,
although it is not known that Spain has
made any exact specification OF complaint
Since the Maine disaster report has been
circulated that General Lee held the per-
sonal opinion that the explosion was due
to external causes. No official report OF
this character was ever sent to Washing
ton so far as known, but the mere clrcu-
lation of the report at Madrid attr1butlng
such views to General Lee has been the
source of much feeling in Spanish official
circles. The press dispatches from Mad
rid also disclose that General Lee is held
accountable at the Spanish capital for the
project of the purchase of Cuba by the
United States from Spain as well as for a
general sentiment of sympathy toward
the insurgents.
In the Nature of Retaliation.
The suggestion of impartial, leading
government organ, that the next session
of the cortes will consider the case OF
General Lee shows the strong influences
which induced the Sagasta cabinet to ask
his recall. In this connection the fact is
noted that Senior Dupuy de LONE is due
in Spain at this time His enforced retire
ment on demand by the United States Is
felt to have awakened a counter sentiment
at Madrid which finds expression against
Consul General Lee. There is little doubt
also that such advice as Senior de LONE
would give to the government or to the
press and public in Madrid would not be
conducive toward the retention OF General
Lee. There is little doubt however, that
the main cause of SPANS action is the
sympathy General Lee has shown for the
Cuban sufferers. 1t is known that his ac-
tive and open sympathy with the people
who have suffered so greatly during the
present INSTRUMENTATION citizens as
well as native Cubans-has not been ac-
cepted by the Spanish officials in Cuba as
an exhibition of disinterested Oflicialism
such as is expected of consular officers.
There were complaints during General
Weyler's administration of his conduct,
but never in full official form.
As a matter of fact, Spain required no
formal excuse for the dismissal of a con
sular official, according to international
law These officers are not endowed usual
ly with diplomatic privileges and they eX-
ist entirely by the suffelance of the ma
tions to which they are sent In this con
nection it is not necessary nor usual to
request their home governments to recall
them. They live officially only through
an exequatur granted by the government
to which they are accredited, and this
may be withdrawn at any moment. So
Consul General Lee may be dismissed
from his post at the pleasure of the Span
ish government, and this would not VIC
late any section of international law.
But he is in one respect unique, in that
he is endowed with semi-diplomatic pow
ers by the wish of our government and by
the consent of the Spanish government.
The request of the Spanish government
for his recall may therefore be regarded
as tantamOunt to demand for the recall
of Objectionable ministers, such, for in
stance, as was Senior Dupuy de LONE.
No Substantial Reasons.
There must be some substantial or sat
isfactory reason for such demand in
such cases, and those presented against
General Lee probably were confined to the
acts he has so far performed with the full
sanction and approval of President Nc
kinley. The demand was not entertained,
as is clearly shown in the formal state
ment given out by Assistant Secretary
Day. Under such circumstances the Incl
dent would close unless Spain took the
decisive step of insisting ON General Lee
recall, and this failing, giving him his
eXequatur.
This radical course is not expected,
however, and all the indications reaching
officials here are that Spain will not pro
coed further with the incident.
As to the Cruisers.
The action regarding the cruiser Mont
gomery and the gunboat Nashville is
looked upon by officials here as much
less grave than that affecting General
Lee, Secretary Long said tonight he did
not regard the question as to what ship
should carry the relief supplies as serious
in any way, OF as likely to present any
pelpleXing issues.
The desire of the navy department, Mr..
Long said, was merely to get the sup
plies to Cuba on the most available YES
sell There were three of these now at
Key West, the Montgomery, Nashville
and Fern, alike available for the service,
and one of these, Mr.. Long said, would
be designated for the trip. The Fern is
dispatch boat, unarmored, and her
availability for this mission had not pre-
viously suggested. The choice would
probably remove all ground for objection