The record-union., 1898-03-07

they exist entirely by the Sufferance of
the nations TO which they are sent. In
their case it is neither necessary nor
usual to request their home Govern
ment to recall them. They live off
cially only through an exequatur
granted by the Government to which
they are accredited, and this may be
withdrawn at any moment. So Con-
sul-General Lee may be dismissed from
his post at the pleasure of the Span
ish Government, and this would not vi
olate any section of international law.
But he is in one respect unique. in
that he is endowed with semi-diplo-
matte powers, by the wish of our Gov
ernment and by the consent CT the
Spanish Government. The request OF
the Spanish Government for his recall
may, therefore, be regarded as tanta-
mount to a demand for the recall OF OBJ
jectionable isteTs-such for instance,
as was Senor Dupuy De LONE There
must be some substantial or satisfac-
cases, and as those presented against
General Lee probably were confined 10
the acts he has so far performed with
the full sanction and approval of Pres
ident Mckinley, the demand was not
entertained, as is clearly shown in the
formal statement given out by Assist
no 4, ,Aiy -
cumstances, the incident would close,
unless Spain took the decisive step Of
insisting on General Lees recall, and
thus falling, giving him his exequatur.
This radical course is not expected,
however. and all the indications reach
ing officials here are that Spain will
The action regarding the cruiser
Montgomery and 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 az
sent any perplexing issues. The de-
sire of the Navy Department, Mr. Long
said, was merely to get the supplies to
Cuba on the most available vessel.
There were three of these now at Key
West, the Montgomery, Nashville and
Fern. a like available service, and one
of these, Mr. Long said, would be des-
| ignated for the trip. The Fern is a
dispatch boat, unarmed naval vessel,
and her availability for this mission
has net previously been suggested. Her
| choice would probably remove all
ground for objection, as she has none
| of the characteristics of war vessel.
Mr.. Long said, however, that the only
decision thus far reached was that one
| of the naval Montgomery
| Nashville or Fern-should make the
| trip.
| AS this is the first time public men
| tion has been made Of the Fern in con-
neetion with carrying the supplies, II
/
the trip. The official orders, however,
continue 20 stand as they were origin
ally made, designating the Montgomery
and Nashville, but these could be
best suited for the work. The naval Of
ficers have felt from the first that the
Montgomery and Nashville We're lily
adapted for carrying supplies. They
are essentially fighting machines. and
every inch of available room is taken
with their own supplies of cordage, can
vas, coal, etc. This was so apparent
that the plans contemplated putting the
relief supplies On deck. covering them
with tarpaulins and trusting to the
weather and a quick trip to keep the
provisions and clothing from damage.
The Fern, not being essentially q
fighting machine, but more of the type
Of a yacht for the speedy conveyance
OF naval dispatches, has considerable
more room for the slowing of supplies
both below and on deck.
The Cuban Relief Committee count
ed on sending seventy-fve tons TO Key
West, but this has now been increased
to 100 tons. 1t left New York on one
Of the Mallory line boats yesterday
and is due at Key West next Wednes-
day. The transfer will take day
and the plan has been to have the Gov
ernment ship start next Thursday 70,
Cuba
The decision of the Administration tc
send supplies to the reconcentrados IL
Cuba was arrived at early in the week
had been unable to distribute the goods
that had been received, IN answer tc
the proclamation Of the President tt
the American people He reported thai
many tons of these supplies We're stored
lin Havana and could not be forwarded
to the eastern end of the island. The
Cnited States Consuls at Matanzas ant
Sague La Grande had come in person
to Havana to seek for relief. after re.
porting TO the State Department the
terrible conditions existing in their re
spective districts. The State Depart
ment Immediately instituted inquiries
and learning that the original deere,
of the Spanish Government authoriz
ing the free admission of supplies ap
piled only to the port of Havana. Sc
cured permission for the free reception
OF these supplies at all ports.
The next obstacle met was the diff
Guilty of transhipp;ng the goods from