The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-12-03
CONSUL LEES REPORT.
II Will Not be Favorable to the
Spanish Contentious.
TIE NECESSITY FOR ACTION

On the Part Of Our Government, in the
interest of Humanity-Non-Com CONTESTANTS
Are Made the Sufferers, Being Abused
by Both Sides.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-Reports were in
quite general circulation here today to the
effect that Secretary Olney, some time in
November, had given the Spanish govern
ment courteously but firmly to UNDER
stand that the Cuban rebellion must be
crushed within three months or the United
etates would be compelled to intervene to
stop hostilities 1t was said that promi-
nent Republican senators had been in
formed of this ultimatum No conflrma-
ton Of the reports could be obtained IN Of
fetal circles here, und 1t was denied that
Spain had been informed of any such ulti-
matum, but 1t is expected that the presi-
dent will take early occasion to send to
congress the report Consul General Lee
has submitted to the secretary of state on
the result of his observations In Cuba.
A prominent mem Der of the senate COM
mittee on foreign relations said today that
1t would not be possible for the president
to send a pro-Spanish message to congress,
In view of the report which Consul General
Lee had made to Secretary Olney. Speaking
generally Of the views of General Lee the
senator said that they we're we'll enough
known to make 1t clear that his report
would not be favorable to the Spanish
contentious. 1t Is known that the report
which General Lee made presents very
grave, not to say horrifying condition of
aff..cs In Cuba. One of the conditions he
describes is that of the situation of the
non-com batants, peaceable citizens, who
have no interest in the war except to see
1t ended.
These people, whether within the Span
ish lines or the Cuban lines, are sufferers.
If within the Cuban lines they plant their
crops in order to obtain living, only to
have their territory raided and occupied
by the Spanish forces, who Immediately
destroy the crops, burn the houses and
other property Of the planters, and upon
the slightest pretext, it is alleged, put the
men to death or imprison them on the
ground that they have been aiding the re-
bellion. In fact, it is regarded as aiding
the Cubans II crops are raised which they
might obtain. Nom com batants within
Spanish territory, when occupied by the
Cubans, are given like treatment on the
ground that they sympathiZe with Spain.
The report of General Lee besides show
Ing what difficulties the non-oombatants
have to contend with in the matter Of &c.
curing enough food to sustain life also
points out how they are often hurried to
prisons and condemned without trial. 1t
is known that General Lees report shows
al trt c ootio hot ci Init
1t is said that more cases have come to his
knowledge of wrongs on the part of the
Spanish.
A very conservative member of the sem
ute committee on foreign relations said
that the conditions in Cuba were such that
intervention by the United States in the
cause of humanity was demanded, and he
had no doubt that congress would early
take a stand in the matter.
Representative McCreary, of Kentucky,
the leading Democratic member of the
foreign affairs committee, who returned
to the city yesterday, said he was in favor
of the Independence of Cuba. He thought
there should first be friendly intervention
with view to bringing about peace, but
If that should not cause hostilities to cease
civilization and humanity would justify
steps being taken looking to according
belligerent rights to the insurgents or
recognizing their indepen dence.
Vice President and Mrs, Stevenson and
their daughter, Miss Letitia, returned to
the city yesterday. Concerning the Cuban
question, Mr. Stevenson said he did not
know what action was contemplated.
There is, he said, very strong feeling in
the country in favor of independence. The
sympathiss of the great mass of people of
the United States, in his Judgment, were
with the Cubans.