The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-07
SHORT, SHARP NO
Continued from First Page.
which induced the Sagasta cabinet to

In this connection, the fact is noted
that Senior Dupuy de LONE is due in
Spain at this time. His enforced re-
tirement on a demand by the United
States Is felt to have awakened coun-
ter-sentiment at Madrid, which finds
expression against Consul General Lee.
There Is little doubt also that such adj
vice as Senior Dupuy de LONE would
give to the government or Ito the press
and public in Madrid would not be
conducive toward the retention Of Gen.
Lee. There is little doubt, however,
that the main cause of Spain's action
is the sympathy Gen. Lee has shown
for the Cuban sufferers.
1t Is known that his active and open
sympathy with the people who have
suffered so greatly during the present
instruction, American citizens, as we'll
as native Cubans, has not been accept
ed by the Spanish officials in Cuba as
an exhibition of disinterested official
ism, such as is expected Of consular
officers.
Spain Could Dismiss Him.
There were complaints during Gen.
Weylers administration Of his conduct,
but never in full official form. AS
matter Of fact, Spain requires no form
al excuse for the dismissal of a con-
sular officer, according to international
law. These officers are not endowed
usually with diplomatic privileges, and
they exist entirely by the sufferance of
the nations to which they are sent. In
their case it is not necessary nor usual
to request their home governments to
recall them. They live officially only
through an eXequatur granted by the
government to which they are accredft-
ed, and this may be withdrawn at any
moment. So Consul General Lee may
be dismissed from his post at the pleas
ure of the Spanish government, and
this would not violate any section of
international law. But he Is in one re-
spect unique, in that he is endowed
with semi-diplomatic powers, by the
wish of our government and by the
consent of the Spanish government.
The request Of the Spanish govern
ment for his recall may, therefore, be
regarded as tantamount to a demand
for the recall Of an Objectionable min
lSter-such, for instance, as was Senior
Dupuy de Lone. There must be some
substantial or satisfactory reason for
such demand in such cases, and as
those presented against Gen. Lee prob
ably were confined to the acts he has
so far performed with the full sanction
and approval Of President Mckinley,
the demand was not entertained, as is
clearly shown in the formal statement
given out by Assistant Secretary Day.
dent would close unless Spain took the
decisive step of insisting on Gen. Lees
recall, and, this failing, recalling his
exequatur. This radical course Is not
expected, however, and all the indica-
lions reaching officials here is that
Spain will not proceed further with
the incident.
The action regarding the cruiser
Montgomery and the gunboat Nashville
IS looked upon by officers here as much
less grave than that affecting Gen. Lee
Secretary Long said tonight that he
did not regard the question as to what
ship should carry the relief supplies as
serious in any way, or as likely to pre-
sent any perplexing issues
The desire Of the navy department,
Mr.. Long said, was merely to get the
7 supplies to Cuba on the most available
vessel. There were three of these now
at Key West. the Montgomery, Nash
vile and Fern, alike available for the
service, and one of these, Mr.. Long
SAID, would be designated for the trip.
Fern May Be Sent.
The Fern is a dispatch boat, rather
than an armed naval vessel, and her
availability for this mission had not
previously been suggested. Her choice
would probably remove all ground for
objection. as she has none of the char
acteristics of a war vessel. Mr. Long
said, however, that the only decision
thus Tar reached was that one of the
naval observation-disclosures Nashville
or Fern-should make the trip.
AS this is the first time public men
ton has been made of the Fern in con-
nection with carrying the supplies, it
might be inferred that she will make
the trip. The official orders, however.
continue to stand as they were orig
ma6n n limo tI,a
cry and Nashville, but these could be
changed readily if the Fern was felt
to best suit tie work
The naval officials have felt from the
FIRST that the Montgomery and Nash
vile were ill adapted for carrying
supplies. They are essentially fighting
machines, and every inch of available
room is taken with their own supplies
of cordage, canvas, coal, etc. This was
SO apparent that the plans contem-
plated putting the relief supplies on
deck. covering them with tarpaulin and
trusting to the weather and a quick
trip to keep the provisions and clothing
from damage. The Fern, not being so
essentially a fighting machine, but
more of the type of a yacht for the
speedy conveyance of naval dispatches.
has considerable more room for stow
ing supplies, both below and on deck
The Cuban relief committee counted on
las now been increased to 100 tons Il
LETT New York on one of the Mallory
line boats yesterday. and is due at Kew
West next Wednesday. The transfer
will take day. and the plan has beer,
to have the government ship start next
Thursday for Cuba.
Du Bose Interviewed
Senior du Bose, when seen at the
Spanish legation today, could add little
to the fund of information on the two
subjects which were attracting so
much official and public attention He
had received no word from his govern
ment concerning Gen. Lee, and he
stated positively that no suggestion
concerning Gen. Lees retirement had
been submitted by him to the state de-
partment.
AS to the sending of relief supplies
by the Montgomery and Nashville, Mr.
du Bose said he felt that merchant
vessels were much better equipped for
such service. and their use was not
open to that misconstruction possible
in sending supplies by vessels of the
navy.
The news concerning Gen. Lee arous-
ed the deepest interest and no little
excitement throughout Washington
and for the time being the usual quiet
Of Sunday evening was put aside In
hotel corridors, at the clubs, and in all
public places it was the absorbing
topic, and not since the Maine disaster
was such widespread popular interest
evinced in the Spanish situation.
FAMOUS AS CONSUL.