Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1898-03-11
LEE WILL NOT Be RECALLED
President Lost No Time in
Answering Spain.
HIS CONDUCT NOT IMPROPER
plies to Cuba as Was First Planned
Spain Backs Down.

And Naval Vessels VIII Garry the Sup
plies to Cuba as Was First Planned
Spain Backs Down.
Washington, March S.-The Spanish
situation developed two new phases to-
day, when it became known that the
Spanish government had formally re-
quested the recall of Consul-General
Lee at Havana, with which request the
United States had courteously but firm
" refused to comply; also that the
Spanish government had suggested the
impropriety of sending relief supplies
to the Cuban reconcentrados on the
cruiser Montgomery and gunboat Nash
vile, to which suggestion the United
States had given like answer in the
negative.
The first intimation of these steps
came in a brief and explicit telegram
from Madrid. Prior to its receipt,
however, the authoritioes here had
been fully conversant with the facts,
although no intimation had been al
lowed to get to the public on either
subject.
The disclosures from Madrid left no
further ground for reticence in Wash
ington, and after conference at the
White House between the president,
Assistant Secretary Day, of the state
department, and Secretary Long, of the
navy department, the following author
lied statement was handed to the press
by Judge Day, comprising everything
that was to be said by the administra-
tion on the subject:
'The president will not consider the
recall of General Lee. He has borne
himself throughout this crisis with
judgment, fidelity and courage, to the
presidents entire satisfaction.
"As to the supplies for the relief of
the Cuban people all arrangements
have been made to carry consignment
from Key West by one of the naval
vessels, whichever may be best adapted
for the purpose, to Matanzas and
Sagua."
Beyond the foregoing there was nc
particular change in the conference at
the White House. 1t did not discuss
other subjects, and it was stated posi-
lively that the authorized statement
comprised everything that would be
given to any one.
The ground on which General Lee's s
recall was asked was not officially dis.
closed. 1t is known, however, that the
Spanish government has chafed for
some time over General Lees presence
III Havana, although this has never
taken the form of a definite protest
prior to the present time. 1t began to
assume a more serious aspect shortly
after the arrival of the Maine at Ha-
vana. At that time General Lee es-
corted Captain Sigsbee on his round Of
official calls. These were made with
due formality, but the Spanish officials
took otfense when the calls were re.
stricted to General Blanco, Admiral
Manterola, and the representatives OF
the military arm of Spain s service, and
did not include Premier Galvez and
his associates of the autonomist cabinet,
who represented the new civil regime
which Spain is seeking to enforce.
The matter came to the attention OF
Senior de Lone, the Spanish minister
at Washington, and, although there
was no protest, the situation, doubt
less, reached the state department, as
suitable amends were made bv Captain
Sigsbee calling on DIR. Congosto, the
civil secretary-general of Cuba, Pre-
mier Galvez and his associates.
There was like irritation over a din.
ner by Consul-General Lee to the off
GERS of the Maine. The list of guest,
on that occasion is said to have omitted
some of the Spanish naval officers, and
to have included quite conspicuousl,
the names of a number OF American
newspaper correspondents, who wer,
regarded by the Spanish officials at Ha
vana as antagonistic to them. This
was also brought to the attention OF
the officials. but was not made tn,
basis for any action, but rather of un
official criticism of General Lees gen.
eral mode of procedure. Within re
cent days it had been understood b,
officials here that the feeling agains
General Lee had been smoothed, anc
the request of his recall was for that
reason in the nature of complete sur
prise.
There are no circumstances which
clearly disclose the grounds for TN. re
call, although it is not known tina
Spain has made any exact specification
OF complaint. Since the Maine dis
aster, report has been circulated tha
General Lee was of the personal opin
ion that the explosion was due to ex
ternal causes. No official report o.
this character was ever sent to Wash
ington, so far as known, but the mere
circulation of the renort in MoJr;l a..