The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-07
THE REQUEST FOR CEN. LEES
RECALL.

RECALL.
The criticalness of our relations with
Spain is enhanced by the news from Madrid
that the Spanish government has requested
the recall from Havana of Consul General
Lee, ard also that the relief supplies
about to be sent to the Cuban sufferers
shall be sent in merchant vessels instead of
war ships. 1t is stated that our government
has declined to grant either request. The
news seems almost incredible, yet it has
every appearance OF authenticity. Besides
the regular press dispatch from Madrid
stating the fact positively special to a
New York paper quotes a leading paper
of Madrid as urging the action which is
said to have been taken. If the facts are
as stated they create situation which
must add materially to the strained rela-
tions between the two countries. First, as
to the recall of General Lee 1t is an es-
tablished rule of international law and
usage that any government may, for cause
satisfactory to itself, object to receiving
any particular person as the diplomatic or
consular representative of another country,
or may request the recall of such person,
for some act done after he has been re-
ceived or recognized. The phrase describ-
ing this action is that the official is per-
soma non grata-that is, is not an agreeable
person to the receiving government. Such
a request is not in itself an unfriendly act
much less an insult to the government of
which it is made. Ordinarily it reflects on
the individual not on his government, the
request being in effect that the government
will kindly send another representative Or
dinarily, also, the request is complied with
as matter of course and without question:
ing its propriety or the ground on which it
is made. This government has made the
request Of others in a number of instances,
and it has been made of us in number
of instances by other governments. Under
ordinary circumstances the request Of
Spain would be granted without question,
but the present circumstances are such as
to justify a departure from established
methods. The only cause of dissatisfaction
Spain can have with General Lee is the
manner in which he has performed his Of
fetal duties at Havana, but as all his acts
have been approved by this government it
could not recall him on that ground with
out in measure stultifying itself and CEN
surfing him. The case is somewhat similar
to one between the United States and Chile
a few years ago. During our trouble with
that country in 1891 the Chilean government
asked for the recall of our minister, Hon.
Patrick Egan. President Harrison refused
the request. In special message to Con-
gress on the Chilean affair, jan Is, 1892,
he said:
The request for the recall of Mr. Egan
upon the ground that he was not persona
grata was unaccompanied by any sug-
gestion that could properly be used in sup
based upon official acts of Mr. Egan, which
have received the approval of this govern
ment But however that may be, | could
not consent to consider such a question
until it had first been settled whether our
correspondence with Chile could be con-
Quoted upon a basis of mutual respect.
Mr.. Egan was not recalled, and three
days later the Chilean government apollo
gized and withdrew the request. The cases
are similar in that the request for the re-
call of General Lee is doubtless based on
official acts of his which have received the
approval of this government. Of course,
The government did right in refusing to
recall him, but its action will doubtless in
crease the tension between the two govern
ments. Spain might revoke General Lees
exequatur, or official recognition, and in
that case he could no longer act. This
would be almost equivalent to giving him
his passports, and would still further in
crease the strain.
That part of SPANS request relating to
the shipment of supplies to the Cuban suf-
ferers seems puerile. AS she has already
given official recognition to the relief move
ment by authorizing the free entry of sup
plies, why should not the United States
send them in government ships? The OBJ
lection evidently springs from Spanish
pride and unreasonableness.