The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-07
BLOW A! Lee.
The Spanish Government Asks
For the Recall
Of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, Consul
. General to Cuba.
REQUEST is REFUSED.
The President Replies That He
viii 'ENOt Consider It."
And Adds That General Lee
Has Borne Himself
With "Judgment, Fidelity and
Courage in This Crisis"
And Adds That General Lee
Has Borne Himself
WAR PREPARATIONS
Going Forward With Haste by
Both Nations.
Later Today Comes News That
Spain Retracts Her Request.

SPAIN RoUfacGS her RoQ ueSCs
Washington. March IA request for
the recall of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. consul
general to Cuba, has been received from
the Spanish government, it is under
stood, within the last few days, and
doubtless since the last cabinet meeting
on Friday, as no reference was made to
it at that time. 1t came through Min
lister WOOdfOrd, a somewhat unusual
procedure, as the common mode of re-
Questing the withdrawal of a minister
or a consul is through the representa-
tive Of the government making the re-
quest, which in this case is Senor Du
Bose, the Spanish charge d'affairs. Sen
or Du Bose had received no instructions
on the subject, and was in complete ig-
nOrance of the demands made through
Minister Woodford.
Other suggestions of the Spanish gov
ernment-that relief supplies should not
be sent in war vessels-did not come
through Minister WoodfOrd, as the
Madrid dispatches state, but was pre-
sented by Senior Du Bose to the state
department last Friday.
The responses in both cases went di-
rect to Minister WoOdford. There was
no loss of time, however, in assem- mbling
a special session of the cabinet or even
in any general conference between the
president and his cabinet advisors in
dividualIy.
In the protest against the Montgom-
cry and Nashville, Judge Day conferred
with Secretary Long, who, in turn,
called in Capt. Crowninshield. chief of
the bureau Of navigation. There ap-
peared to be no reason why a change
should be made in the plan for sending
these ships on the relief mission and
attaching a CiUniHcanpa fO the
request of the Spanish government, the
answer was made that the plans for the
trip were completed, and that the stay
of the ships would be brief and of the
most pacific character.
The grounds on which General Lees
recall was asked are not officially dis
closed. 1t is known, however, that the
Spanish government has Chafed Tor
some time over General Lees presence
in Havana, although this had never ia
ken the form of a definite protest prior
to the present time. 1t began to as
sumo a more serious aspect shortly aft
er the arrival of the Maine at Havana
At that time General Lee escorted Cap
tain Sigsbee on his round of official
calls. These were made with due form
ality, but the Spanish officials took Of
fenSe when the calls were restricted to
General BlancO, Admiral ManterOla and
the representatives of the military
army of Spain's service and did not in
clude Premier Galvez and his associ-
ates of the Autonomous cabinet, who
represent the new civil regime which
Spain is seeking to enforce.
Washington, March THE admins
tration will stand by Consul General
Fitzhugh Lee.
He will not be recalled from Havana,
and the Cuban supplies for the starving
reconcentrados win be sent in the war
vessels Montgomery and Nashville. That
is the substance of q statement given
out by Assistant Secretary of State
Day.
After a conference at the White House
between the President Assistant Sec
retary Day of the state department
and Secretary Long of the navy depart
ment, the following authorized state
ment was handed out by Judge Day as
comprising everything that was to be
said by the administration on the sub
ject:
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 a consignment
from Key West by one of the naval
vessels, whichever may be most adapt
ed for the purpose, to Matanzas and Sa-
qua"
Although the officials are non-com-
initial on the subject, it is believed that
the request for General Lees recall was
made at least a day or two ago.
Washington was in a feverish condi-
ton today over the report of SPANS
demands and had the administration
shoWn any signs of weakening there
would have been a revolt in congress.
Havana, March Cen. Fftzhugh
Lee, consul general of the United
states, when questioned todav regarding
SPAN demand for his recall said:
shall continue to do nv dutv
which is to guard American inferee+s .
LATER SPAIN BACKS DOWN