Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-03-12
RECALL OF LEE REFUSED
MKINLEYs REPLY TO SPAIN.

!
Have Deemed the Subject Open to
Discussion on the Part Of the
Cabinet-why Spanish Officials
/ DO Not Like the Consul General ,
! Washington. March THE Spanish
situation developed two new phases yes
terday, when it became known that the
Spanish government had formally request
ed the recall of Consul General Lee from
| his post at Havana, to which request the
United States had eourteously but firmly
refused to comply, also that the Spanish
government has suggested the improperly
of sending relief supplies to the Cuban
reconcentrados on the cruiser MOntgom-
cry and gunbpat Nashville, to which sug-
gestion the United States has given like
answer in the negative. ,. ".
+ The first intimation of these steps came
in brief and explicit cablegram from
Madrid. Prior to its receipt, however,
the authorities here had been fully con-
versant with the facts, although no init
nation had been allowed to get to the
puDiC OH elLneT subject
Came Through WOOdfOrd. ,
The advices from Madrid, together with
the authoritative statement here, left no
room for doubt as to what had occurred.
The request for General Lees recall is
understood to have COME within the last
few DAYS, and doubtless since the last
cabinet meeting on Friday, as no refer
ence was made to it at that time 1T
came through Minister Woodford, a
somewhat unusual procedure, as the com
mon mode of requesting the withdrawal
of minister or consul is through the
representative Of the government making
the request, which, in this case, is Senior
Du Bose, the Spanish charge d'affaires.
Mr.. Du Bose had received no instruc-
tions on the. subject and was in com
plete ignorance of the demands made
through Minister Woodford.
The other suggestion of the Spanish
government that relief supplies should
not be sent in warships did not come
through Minister Woodford. as the Ma
drid dispatches state, but was presented
by Senior Du Bose to the state depart
ment last Friday. The response in both
cases went direct to Minister Woodford.
There was no loss of time. however, in
assembling a special session of the cab
met or even in general conference be-
tween the president and his cabinet ad-
visers individually. In the protest against
the Montgomery and Nashville, Judge
Day conferred with Secretary Long, who
in turn called in Captain Clowninshield,
chief of the bureau of navigation. There
appears to be nd reason why change
should be made the plan tbr sending
these sSps 'of Ne refer mission. and
without attaching signifcance to the re-
quest of the Spanish government, the an
swer was made that the plans for the trip
were completed and that the stay of the
ships would be brief and .of the most
pacific character
President Acted Promptly.
In responding to the request for General
Lees recall the president does not appear
to have deemed the subject open to such
discussion as would require the views of
his cabinet associates and after brief eX
change between the White house and the
state department the negative answer
was dispatched to Minister Woodford.
One phase of the incident that tends to
show the firm stand taken by the admin
istration is the expedition with which the
action was accomplished. Such a mat.
ter ordinarily is laid before the cabinet,
the views of all its members personally
given. and the fullest opportunity afford
ed for discussion.
.. Grounds for Lees Recall.
The ground on which General Lees re-
call was asked is not officially disclosed.
1t is known, however, that the Spanish
government has chafed for some time over
General Lees presence in Havana, al
though this had never taken the form of
a definite protest prior to the present
time. Ittbegan to assume a more serious
aspect shortly after the arrival OF the
Maine at Havana. -.1 ..
At that time General Lee escorted Cap
tain Sigsbee on his round of official calls
These were made with due formality, but
the Spanish officials took offense when
the calls were restricted to General Blan-
co, Admiral Manterola and the represent
service, and did not include Premier Gal
vez and his associates of the autonomist
cabinet, who represented the new civil re-
gime which Spain is seeking to enforce.
The matter came to the attention of Senior
de LONE, the Spanish minister at Wash
ington, and although there We're no pro-
tests, the status of the situation doubtless
was learned at the state department, as
suitable amends We're made by Captain
Sigsbee's call on DIR. Congosto., the civil