Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-04-17
Why Fitzhugh Lee
Goes to Cuba.


Cleveland has taken a step shat I'M
mistakably indicates desire to sus-
tain the Congressional will as formally
expressed in the resolutions, passed.
Final Executive action will depend
upon the reports OF this Commissioner,
whose West Point training and splen-
did military record especially fit him
for such a post just now. The opinion
CT General Lee regarding the military
opera tons on the island will be entitled
to the utmost respect and will be re-
ceived with entire confidence by the
whole American people.
IL is a wise stroke. Its significance
is otbvicus when we remember that the
Consul Generalship, under ordinary
circumstances. is a commercial and not
diplomatic Office. The selection of
soldier for this post at this time
sends a thrill of anticipation through
the veins of all lovers Of human lib
erty.
The appointment means that Presi-
dent Cleveland has taken the Cuban
question into his own hands. He is
determined to enforce a more vigorous
protection of the rights OF Americans
in Cuba han has been possible under
aie administration OF Consul-General
Williams. The President has been ir-
rtoated at the dilitory methods pursued
by Williams during the last four or five
months The Dygort case convinced
The President that Williams is not fit
man 10 confront Weyler when the lib
erty, perhaps the life, of an American
citizen is involved. Secretary Olney
has manifested great degree of pa
thence with the present Consul-Gen-
eral, and undoubtedly prevailed upon
The President TO retain Williams longer
than he would have held his place
without the support of the Secretary
of State. Ordinarily Joseph A.
Springee, the thoroughly efficient Vice
Consul, ought 20 have succeeded to the
once; but President Cleveland felt
that The country demanded a represent
alive man, not affiliated in any way
with the Williams regime. Teherfore,
he chose General Ff;zhugh Lee.
The resignation Of NJ. Williams has
been in the hands of the President for
several months, the understanding be-
ing that it would be accepted upon the
appointment and qualification of sue
cessor. Having accumulated an indie
pendent fortune and being actively
engaged in business, there is no doubt
that Williams has preferred to be re-
lieved of his official duties, unless ne
could be left to conduct the Office on
his own plans. The repoSe of the Con-
sui General has been disturbed fire.
quently during the past winter by de-
mands that he interpose TO prevent the
Spanish authorities from summarily
shooting or perpetrating outrages upon
citizens of the United States. In these
cases the President insisted upon
prompt action, but he discovered that
the Consul General could not be in
duced to do more than send polite re-
quests to General Weyler. When the
facts, as related in the Journal about
Dygert became known to the President.
he Immediately called upon the Secre
tary OF State for all the information in
his department.. The reply was that
Consul General Williams had not for
warded anything on the subject.
AT the same time requests from Sem
ators and Representative began to
reach the President concerning Dygert.
BY his direction three separate dis
patches were sent to Williams, urging
him TO insist upon report or state
ment as to the charges against Dygert
and his whereabouts and condition.
The response to the third dispatch
brought indirect and apparently eva
sive information. The President be-
came incensed at the confessed inabil-
ity OF the United States Consul General
to obtain information that had already
been procured and published by cor
respondents of the Journal. He decid-
ed TO make a change in the Office at
Havana. and his object then was to get
a man for fireplace who would exercise
the functions of the office in a manner
in keeping with the dignity OF the
American people. The President was
confronted with the absolute certainty
that Congress, in response TO the al
most universal demand OF the Ameri-
can people, would insist on some step
in the direction of checking the meth
DDS employed by Butcher" Weyler to
put down the instruction. He had
learned enough OF the system in use at
the Office of Consul General Williams to
satisfy him that he, as the authority in
whom the power of intervention was
vested. could not rely upon the reports
OF that officer as guide to proper ac-
ton. 1t was at this juncture that the
President seriously thought of sending
a commissioner to Cuba to examine the
condition OF both sides to the conflict
and thus put the Executive in posses
sion of Information that ne had not
been able to procure. The difficulties
that such a commissioner would necss-
sarily encounter, the dangers he would
have TO meet, brought to the mind of
Mr.. Cleveland General FitZhugh Lee.
The intimacy of the ex-Confederate
general and Mr.. Cleveland dates from
the day of the first Inauguration OF the
latter. on March 4, 1895. In the pro-
cession General Lee headed the division
of Southern military organizations. He
was cheered along the entire route with
a greater degree Of enthusiasm than
was accorded to any other OF the noted
men who were in the procession. Next
day General Lee called on the Presi-
dent by special invitation. and the
friendship then formed ripened into an
intimacy that has continued unbroken
TO the present moment.
After due consideration the President
concluded that the project of sending a
special commissioner 10 Cuba was i'm
practicable. 1t was then that the idea
of appointing General Lee consul gen.
eral and combining with the usual du-
ties of the Office the extra requirement
that he take advantage Of his position
to inform himself as TO the real status
of affairs in the island for the guidance