The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-07

Regarding the cruisers MONTGOMERY and
Nashville, Judge Day conferred with Sec
retary Long, who in turn called in Capt
Crowninshield, chief of the bureau of navl-
gatlon. There appeared to be no reason
why change should be made in the plan
Tor sending these ships on the relief mis-
sion, and without attaching grave signih-
canoe to the request of the Spanish GOV
ernment, the answer was made that the
pans lor the trip were completed, and that
the stay of the ships would be brief and
OF the most pacific character
In responding TO the request for Gen.
Lees recall, the President does not ap-
pear to have deemed the subject open to
such discussion as would require the views
OF MS cabinet associates, and, after a brief
exchange between the White House and
the state department the negative answer
was dispatched to Minister Woodford. One
phase of the incident that tends; to show
the firm stand taken by the administra-
uon is the expedition with which the ac-
ton was accomplished. Such a matter or
dlnarly is laid before the cabinet, tie
views of all its members personally given
ana the fullest opportunity afforded for
discussion. But in this case the Associat-
ed Press bulletin furnished some members
OF the cabinet the first intimation they
mad that Gen. Lees service was open to
question Before the cabinet meeting no
hint or complaint of any kind relating TO
Gen. Lee had been made
The ground on which Gen. Lees recall
was asked is not officially disclosed. 1t is
known, however, that the Spanish govern
ment has chafed for some time over Gen
Lees presence in Havana, although this
has never taken the form of a definite pro-
test prior to the present time. 1t began
TO assume a more serious aspect shortly
after the arrival of the Maine at Havana
AT that time Gen. Lee escorted Capt. Sigs-
bee on his round of official calls. These
We're made with due formality but the
Spanish officials took offense when the
calls were restricted to Gen. Blanco, Ad-
mlral Manterola and the representative of
the military department of Spain, and did
not include Premier Galvez and his as
soclateS of the autonomous cabinet who
represent the new civil regime which Spain
is seeking to enforce. The matter came
to the attention of Senor Dtlpuy De Lone,
then Spanish minister at Washington, and,
although there were no protests, the situ-
alton doubtless reached the state depart
ment, as suitable amends were made Ly
Capt. Sigsbee calling on DIR. Congosto the
civil secretary general Premier Galvez
and his associates.
There was like irritation over a dinner
given by Consul General Lee to the officers
OF the Maine. The list of guests on that
occasion is said to have omitted some of
the Spanish naval officers and to have in
cluded, quite conspicuously the names of
a number of American newspaper corre-
spondents, who were regarded by the
Spanish officials at Havana as antago-
nistic to them. This has also come to the
attention of the officials here, but was
not made the basis for any action, but
rather of unofficial Spanish criticism of
Gen. Lees mode of procedure.
Within recent days it has been under
stood by officials here that the feeling
against Gen. Lee had been smoothed over
and the request for his recall was for that
reason in the nature of a complete sur
prise. There are circumstances, however,
which clearly disclose the grounds for the
recall although it is not known that Spain
has made any exact specifications of COM
plant Since the Maine disaster re-
port has been circulated that Gen. Lee
held the personal opinion that the explo-
sion was due TO external cause. No Of
fetal report of this character was ever
sent to Washington so far as is known.
But the mere circulation of the report a,
Madrid, attributing such views to Gen.
Lee, has been the source of much feeling
in Spanish official circles. The press dis
patches from Madrid also disclose that
0tI. Lee Is u6lQ dGCOuutdDl6 dI lue span
ish capital for the project of the purchase
of Cuba. by the United States from Spain,
as well as for a general sentiment of
sympathy toward the insurgents
The suggestion of the Impartial, a lead
ing government organ, that the next ses-
sion of the Cortes will consider the case
of Gen. Lee shows the strong influences
which induced the Sagasta cabinet to ask
his recall. In this connection, the fact is
noted that Senor Dupuy de LONE is due In
Spain at this time. His enforced retire.
ment; on a demand by the United States
is felt to have awakened a counter senti-
ment at Madrid which finds expression
against Consul General Lee. There is little
doubt also that such, advice as Senior Du-
puy de LONE would give to the government
or to the press in Madrid would not be
conducive toward the retention of Gen.
Lee.
There is little dou5t however, that the
main cause of Spain's action is the SYM
pathes Gen. Lee has shown for the Cuban
sufferers 1t is known that his active and
open sympathy with the people who have
suffered so greatly during the present in
surrection American citizens as well ms
native Cubans, has not been accepted by
the Spanish officials in Cuba as an exhi-
bition of disinterested oficialism. such as
is expected Of consular officers. There were
complaints during Gen. Weyler's admins
tration of his conduct, but never in fun
official form.
As a matter of fact, Spain required no
formal excuse for the dismissal of a con-
suar officer according to International
law. These officers are not indorsed US
ually with diplomatic privileges, and they
exist entirely by the suffrance of the ma
tions to which they are sent. In their
case it is not necessary or usual to re-
quest their home governments to recall
them. They live officially only through
an exeauatur 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 Spanish gov
ernment, and this would not violate any
section of international law. But he is IN
one respect unique, in that he rs endowed
with semi-dplomatic powers, by the wish
of our government and by the consent OF
the. Spanish government.
The request of the Spanish government
for his recall may therefore be regarded
as tautamount to a demand for the recall
Of an Objectionable minister-such for in-
stance. as was Senor Dupuy de LONE.
There must be some substantial reason for
such demand in such cases and as those
presented against Gen. Lee probably were
confined TO the acts he has so far perform