The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1898-03-12

snch views 10 GeRaal Lee has been the
source Of much feeling in Spanish official
circles. The press dispatches from Mad.
rid also disclose that General Lee is held
accountable at the Spanish capital for the
project Of the purchase of Cuba by the
United States from Spain as well Ms for a
general sentiment Of sympathy toward
the insurgents.
In the Nature Of Retaliation.
The suggestion Of impartial, a leading
government organ, that the next session
Of the eortes will consider the case Of
General Lee shows the strong influences
which induced the sagasta cabinet to ask
his recall In this connection the fact 4
noted that Senior Dupuy de LONE is due
in Spain at this time His enforced retire.
lnent on demand by the United States l.
/ felt 10 have awakened counter sentiment
at Madrid which finds expression against
Consul General Lee. There IL little doubt
also that such advice az Senior de LONE
would give 10 the government or TO the
press and public in Madrid would not be
conducive toward the retention Of General
Lee. There is little doubt however, that
the main cause of SPANS action is the
sympathy General Lee has shown for the
Cuban sufferers. IL is known that his ac-
tive aud open sympathy with the people
who have suffered so greatly during The
present insurrection--Ameriea citizens as
well as native Cubans-has not been ac-
cepted by the Spanish officials in Cuba as
an exhibition Of disinterested oiiciaIism
such as is expected Of consular officers.
There we're complaints during General
Meyler's administration Of his conduct,
but never in full official form.
As mRtter Of fact, Spain required no
formal excuse for the dismissal Of con.
sular official. according 10 international
law. These officers are not endowed usual
ly with diplomatic privileges and they ex-
ist entirely by the snfferanee Of the ma.
lions 10 which they are sent In this con
nection il is not necessary nor usual 10
request their home governments TO recall
them. They live officially only through
an cxeqnatur granted by the government
10 which they are accredited, and this
may be Withdrawn at any moment. So
Consul General Lee may be dismissed
from his post at the pleasure Of the Span.
ish government, and this would not VIC
late any section Of international law.
Bui he a. in enc respect unique, in that
be i endowed with semi-diplomatic pow
en- by the wish of our government and hv
the consent of the Spanish government.
The request Of the Spanish government
for his recall may therefore he regarded
a. tan,amount 10 demand for the recall
81 objectionable ministers. such. fer in.
stance, as WAS Senior Dupuy de Lome.
No Substantial Reasons.
There must he some substantial or sat
isiactory reason for such a demand in
S'ich ca--s, and those presented against
General Lee probably were confined TO the
acts he has 50 far performed with the full
sanction and approval of President Nc
kinley. The demand was not entertained.
a. Is clearly shown in the formal state
meni given out by Assistant Secretary
Day. Under such circumstances the Incl
dent would close unless Spain took the
decisive step of insisting ON General Lec's
F"oail, and this failing, giving him his
eN~qusiuE
This radical course Is not expected.
however. and all the indications reaching
officials here are that Spain will not pro
coed further with the incident.
A. 90 the CruIsera.
The action regarding the cruiser Mont
gomery and the gtInboat Nashville Is
looked upon by officials here as much
lees 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 as serious
in any way. or as likely 10 present any
perplcNing issues
The desire Of the navy department, Mr.
Long said, was merely 10 get the sup
plies Ia Cuba on the most available YES.
sel. There were three Of these now at
Key West, The Montgomery. Nashville
and Fern. alike available for the service.
and one Of these, MIR Long said. would
he designated for the trip. The Fern is
a dispatch boat, unsrmored. and her
availability for this mission had not pre-
Eiously suggested. The choice would
probably remove all ground for objection
as she has none of the characteristics Of
a u-ur raSs,l