Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-03-10
WILL STAND BY LEE.
PRESIDENT WILL KEEP HIM
AT HAVANA.
Spain Asked That the Consul General
BE ReOalled-Also That Supplies Be
Carried in Other Than War Vessels
Mckinley EmphatIoalIy Refuses.

WASHINGTON, March THE Spanish
situation developed two new phases
to-day when it became known the
Spanish government had formally re-
quested the recall of Consul General
Lee at his post at Havana, to which
request the United States had court
eously but firmly refused to comply;
also that the Spanish government has
suggested the improperly of sending
relief supplies to the Cuban reconcen-
trados on the cruiser Montgomery and
gunboat Nashville, to which sugges-
ton the United States had given a
like answer in the negative.
The first intimation OF these steps
came in brief and explicit cable dis
patch from Madrid Prior to its re-
ceipt, however, the authorities here
had been fully conversant with the
facts, although no mtimation had been
allowed to get to the public on either
subject. The disclosures from Madrid
left no further ground for reticence in
Washington, and after a conference
at the White House between the Pres
ident, Assistant Secretary Day of the
state department and Secretary Long
of the navy department, the following
authorized statement was handed to
the Associated Press 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 consign-
ment from Key West by one of our
naval vessels, whichever may be best
adapted for the purpose, to Mantanzas
and Sagua."
Beyond the foregoing, those who
had participated in the conference at
the White House would not discuss
the subject, and it was stated posi-
lively that the authorized statement
comprised everything that would be
given to anyone
The grounds on which General Lees
recall was asked are not officially dis
closed. 1t is known, however, that
the Spanish government has chafed
for cOuna fiuoa Oya. Ganara1 Taa3s y1rae
ence in Havana, although this had
never taken the form of definite pro-
test prior to the present time. 1t be-
gan to assume a more serious aspect
shortly after the arrival of the Maine
at Havana. At that time General Lee
escorted Captain Sigs bee on his round
of official calls These were made
with due formality, but the Spanish
officials took offense when the calls
were restricted to'General Blanco, Ad-
miral Manterols and the representa-.
tives of the military arm of SPANS
service, and did not include Premier
Galvez and his associates of the au-
tonomous cabinet, who represent the
new civil regime which Spain is seek
ing to enforce.
The action regarding the cruiser
Montgomery and gunboat Nashville is
looked upon by officials here as much
less grave than that affecting General
Lee. Secretary Long said last night
that he did not regard the question as
to what ships would carry the relief
supplies as serious in any way, or as
likely to present any perplexing is
sues.
The desire of the navy department,
Mr. Long said, was merely to get the
supplies to Cuba on the most available
vessel. There were three of these
now at Key West, the Montgomery,
Nashville and Fern, alike available
for the service, and one of these, Mr..
Long said, would be designated for
the trip The Fern is 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
characteristics of war vessel Mr..
Long said, however, that the only de-
cision thus far reached was that one
of the naval vessels-Montgomery,
Nashville or Fern-should make the
trip AS this is the first time public
mention has been made of the Fern
in connection with carrying the sup
plies it might be inferred that she
will make the trip.