The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-07

enforce. The matter came TO the atten-
tion OF Dupuy De LONE, then Spanish
minister In Washington, and although
there were no protests. the situation
doubtless reached the state department,
as suitable amends were made by Cap
tain Sigsbee's calling on Dr. Congosto.
the civil secretary general. and Premier
Galvez and his associates. There was
like irritation over a dinner given by
Consul General Lee TO the officers OF the
Maine. The list OF guests on that oc-
casion is said to have omitted some OF
the Spanish naval officers and 10 have
included. quite conspicuously, the names
OF number of American newspaper
correspondents who were regarded by
the Spanish officials at Havana as an
tagonlstic TO them
Within recent days IL has been under
stood by officials here that the feeling
against General Lee had been smoothed
over. and the request for his recall was
for that reason i'm the nature OF a COM
plete surprise. There are circumstances,
however. which clearly disclose the
grounds for the recall, although il IS not
known that Spain has made any exact
specifications OF complaint. Since the
Maine disaster n report has been cir
culated that General Lee held the per-
sonal opinion that the explosion was due
TO external cause. An Official report of
this character was never sent TO Wash
ington so far as is known; but the mere
circulation OF the report at Madrid, at
tributing such views TO General Lee, has
been the source Of much feeling in Span
ish circles. The press dispatches from
Madrid also disclose that General Lee
is held accountable at the Spanish capt.
tai for the project OF the purchase of
Cuba by the United States from Spain,
as we'll as for a general sentiment Of
sympathy toward the insurgents. The
suggestion, OF a leading government
organ. that the next session of the cortes
VIII consider the case of General Lee
shows the strong influence which in
duced the Sagasta cabinet to ask his re-
call. There is little doubt that the main
cause OF Spains action is Lees attitude
toward the Cuban sufferers IT is known
that his active and open sympathy with
the people who have suffered so greatly
during the surrection-American citi.
zens as well as native Cubans-has not
been accepted by the Spanish officials in
cuba as an exhibition OF dsinterested
ohicialism such as is expected of con-
sular officers. There were complaints
during General Weyler's administration
OF his CONDUCT, but never I'm official form
AS matter of fact. Spain required
no formal excuse for the dismissal of n
consular officer according to interna-
tional law. These officers are not en-
dowed with diplomatic privileges. and
they exist entirely by the suffrance of
the nations to which they are sent. In
their case II is not necessary nor usual
To requestNtheir home governments TO
recall them. They live officially only
through an exequatur granted by the.
government TO which they ere accredit-
ed. and this may be withdrawn at any
moment. SO Consul General Lee NAV
be dismissed from his post at the pleas
ure OF the spanish government and this
would not violate any section of inter
national law: but lie is in one respect
unique, in that he is endowed with semi
diplomatic powers by the wish Of our
government and by the consent of the
Spanish government fhe request OF
the Spanish government for his recall
may therefore be regarded as tanta-
mount TO demand for the recall OF an
Objectionable minister such for instance
as Dupuy De LONE. There must be
some substantial or satisfactory reason
for such demand in such cases, and
as those presented against General Lee
probably were confined TO acts he has so
far performed with the full sanction and
approval of President Mckinley, the de-
mand was not entertained, ~ is clearly
shown In the formal statement given out
by Assistant Secretary Day. Under
such circumstances the incident would
close unless Spain took the decisive step
or insisting on General Lees recall. and.
this failing, giving him his exequatur.
This radical course is not expected, how
ever.