Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-08
TUESDAY MARCH 8, 1896
CRISIS ABOUT ovERPAssED.

Within .he last twenty-four hoHs INC
public mind in this country has oeeh III
a state OF excitement unparalleled III our
post-civiI-war history. Our relations WIN
spain were strained at one time during
that brief perioG 10 a tension at whlch
rupture between the two Powers seemed
imminent. Fortunately, however, SPAIN
has taken final counsel of wisdom rather
than of the jngoistic spirit at MADRID
and IL now appears that the Crisis Is
about overpassed.
In order to an understanding OF the
critical situation that confronted us
summary of recent events is necessary
For several weeks the more radical Oh
HE Madrid press had been engaged IN
fomenting feeling against General FltZ-
hugh Lee. our Consul-General at Habana'
and some OF these papers went so iar as 10
make baseless charges as TO reports ne
aaa -,aa.---.a administration regarding
HE Maine disaster and touching ms at
utude towards the Autonomist leaders
and the insurgents. Eventually TINS asl-
tation developed into a demand that
Consul-General Lee be treated as was
treated De LONE. who, by the way, is
suspected of having done full share in
stimulating the agitation, and the Sa-
gasta ministry. yielding to the lingo
pressure. expressed a desire for the re-
can of General Lee. Complicated with
this question was also protest from
Spain that naval vessels be not used by
IN
to the starving and dying Cuban recon-
centradoes, although Spain had previously
consented TO the employment OF such
vessels for the purpose indicated The
action of Spain in respect of these two
matters. taken in conjunction, demanded.
all things considered. that this govern
ment, If Il would maintain it's dignity,
should speak in no uncertain tones. This
it did. 1t peremptorily declined either TO
recall General Lee or consider SPANS pro-
test touching naval vessels.
AS TO General Lee. the administration,
in its declination. took occasion to give
to.the public its emphatic endorsement
of his course as Consul-General. 1t ex-
pressed the utmost confidence in his
ability, faithfulress, courage, and dis
erection, and assigned as one reason for
refusing to recall him that his recall
would imply censure of him that he die
not deserve. In declining TO forego its
purpose to employ war vessels in sending
supplies TO Cuba, the administration con
tended that Spain had no right TO con
strue their use in such mission as un
friendly.
While there is precedent for the stanC
taken by the government respecting Gen
eral Lee, ii was an unusual stand, anC
precipita;ed the question. Would Spain
pursue the matter further and demand
formally the recall of the Consul-Genera
as persona non erata? That she haC
the right TO do this, and that she hac
the further right, in the event Of our non
acauiescence, TO hand General Lee his
passports no one questioned. But con
sidering all the conditions and the heated
state of public feeling in this country
the exercise OF that right involved III,
danger OF its resulting in hostilities be
tween the two countries. IT would have
lOOkc1 as II opdiu Hdu hclVi AiHcu "
force war upon us.
The Sagasta Government did not pres
its right in the direction noted. On tn
contrary, 1t withdrew its request 70
General Lees recall. This we have cha
racterized as the effect Of taking counse
OF wisdom. But tbs more. II is con
cession TO this country that ought 4
teach US wisdom-the wisdom OF no
taking further counsel of jingosm our
selves. and OF doing nothing that woul,
Enthusiastically provoke Spain. The Spanis
Government, In intimating a desire 10
General Lees recall, made mistake
IT'S correction OF that mistake involve
no compromise of SPANS dignity. 1t is
as we see II. an expression of Spain
desire to continue on friendly terms wit
this country. In that light 1t is our dut,
10 Spain and 10 ourselves to treat 1t
our government has also made the con
cession-a minor oDe--of agreeing not {
use armed vessels in sending relief SUP
piles to Cuba. AS far as can now b
seen there Is, therefore. no reason VIII
the incident should not be rapidly, CLOSED
Indeed. IL deyoives upon every good citj
zen 10 lend his voice and influence 10
ward closing H.. IL deyoiyes upon ever,
good citizen to lend his voice ana In