The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-03-12
recall OF LEE REFUSED
MKINLEY'S REPLY TO SPAIN.
The President Does Not Appear to
Have Deemed the Subject Open to
Discussion on the Part of the
Cabinet-Why Spanish Officials
Do Not Like the Consul General.

Washington, March THE Spanish
situation developed two new phases yes
terday, when it became known that the
Spanish government had formally request
ed the recall of Consul General Lee from
bis post at Havana, to which request the
United States had courteously but firmly
refused to comply, also that the Spanish
government has suggested the improperly
of sending relief supplies to the Cuban
reconcentrados on the cruiser Montgom-
cry and gunboat Nashville, to which sug-
sestion the United States has given a like
answer in the negative.
The first intimation of these steps came
in a brief and explicit cabegram from
Madrid. Prior to its receipt, however,
the authorities here had been fully con-
versant with the facts, although no init
nation had been allowed to get to the
public on either subject.
Came Through woOdford.
The advices from Madrid, together with
the authoritative statement here, left no
room for doubt as to what had occurred.
The request for General Lees recall is
understood to have come within the last
few days, and doubtless since the last
cabinet meeting on Friday, as no refer
ence was made to it at that time. 1t
came through Minister Woodford, a
somewhat unusual procedure, as the COM
mon mode of requesting the withdrawal
Of a minister or a consul is through the
representative of the government making
the request, which, in this case, is Senior
Du Bose, the Spanish charge d'affaires.
MIR. Du Bose had received no instruc-
lions on the subject and was in com
plete ignorance of the demands made
through Minister Woodford.
The other suggestion of the Spanish
government that relief supplies should
not be sent in warships did not come
through Minister Woodford. as the Ma
drid dispatches state, but was presented
by Senior Du Bose to the state depart
ment last Friday. The response in botl
eases went direct to Minister Woodford
There was no loss of time, however, il
assembling a special session of the cab
met or even in general conference be
tween the president and his cabinet aid
visers individually. In the protest agains
the Montgomery and Nashville, Judg
Day conferred with Secretary Long, VIII
in turn called in Captain Crowninshield
chief of the bureau of navigation. Their
appears to be no reason why chang
should be made in the plan for sending
these ships on the relief mission, AM
without attaching significance to the re
quest of the Spanish government, the an
swer was made that the plans for the tri
were completed and that the stay of tn
ships would be brief and of the mos
pacific character.
President Acted Promptly.
In responding to the request for Genera
Lees recall the president does not appea
to have deemed the subject open to sue
discussion as would require the views {
his cabinet associates and after brief en
change between the White house and til
state department the negative answe
was dispatched to Minister Woodford.
One phase of the incident that tends I
show the firm stand taken by the admir-
istration is the expedition with which tn
action was accomplished. Such ma
ter ordinarily is laid before the cabine
the views of all its members PERSONAL
given. and the fullest opportunity atfor'
ed for discussion.
Grounds for Lees Recall.
The ground on which General Lees I
call was asked is not officially disclose
Ii is known, however, that the SPANS
government has chafed for some time ov
General Lees presence in Havana, q
though this had never taken the form
a definite protest prior to the presel
time. 1t began to assume more serio'
aspect shortly after the arrival of Il
Maine at Havana.
At that time General Lee escorted Ca
tain Sigsbee on his round OF official cal
These were made with due formality, b.
the Spanish officials took offense WHIT
the calls were restricted to General Bla
60. Admiral Manterola and the represer
service. and did not include Premier G;
vez and his associates of the autonomi
cabinet, who represented the new civil i
gime which Spain is seeking to enfor'
The matter came to the attention OF Sen
de LONE, the Spanish minister at Was
ineton. and although there were no pl
tests. the status of the situation doubtle
was learned at the state department,
suitable amends were made by CAPITA
Sigsbee's call on DIR. Congosto, the eli
secretary general. Premier Galvez and
associates
There was like irritation over dim