Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-12-03


Washington, December 2.-ReDorts
were in quite general circulation here
to-day to the effect that Secretary Oh
ney, some time in November had given
the Spanish government courteously,
but firmly, to understand that the Gu
ban rebellion must be crushed within
three months or the United States
would be compelled TO intervene to
stop histilities.
Ii is said that prominent Republican
Senators had been informed of this ul-
timatum. The reports i'm their general
features were simila~ 10 rumors preva-
lent about a month ago, and cmphat-
ically denied at the time by officials of
this government, and also at Madrid.
No confirmation of the latest reports
could be obtained i'm Official circles here
to-day, and it was denied that Spain
had been informed of any such uti-
matum. Senators who have been act.
i've in foreign affairs. and have cOnsult-
State Department officials on The Gu
ban situation, expressed the opinion
that the administration had not made
any radical changes I'm it's attitude, but
a number OF them gave 10 as their own
personal opinions that Congress should
adopt vigorous measures 90 end the
present state of affairs. lt is expected
that the President viii take early oc-
casion to send TO Congress the report
Consul General Lee has submitted 10
the Secretary of State ON the result Of
his observations in Cuba
a prominent member Of the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations said
to-day tha' it would not be possible for
the President to send a pro-Spanish
message to Congress u view of the re-
port whoch Consul General Lee had
made to Secretary Olney. Speaking
generally of the views of Gen. Lee, the
Senator said that they were well
enough known TO make it clear that
his report would not be favorable 10
the Spanish contentious. IL lis known
that the report which Gen. Lee made
presents a very grave. not 10 say horri-
fying. condition of affairs i'm Cuba One
of the conditions he describes is that
of the situation of the non-combatants,
neaceable citizens who have no inter-
est IN inc war e-ccpt 10 see 10 ended.
These people. whether within the Span
ish lines or The Cuban lines, are suffer-
ers. If within the Cuban lines they
plant their crops ln order 10 oD'aln
living. only 10 have their territory
raided and occupied by the Spanish
forces who Immediately destroy the
CROPS burn the houses and other prop
erty of the planters, and upon the
slightest pretext. 10 is alleged, put tho
men to- death or imprison them ON the
ground that they have been aiding
the rebellion.
I'm fact IL is regarded as aiding the
Cubans if crops are raised which they
might obtain.
Non-combatants within Spanish ter
ritory when occupied by The Cubans are
given like treatment, ON the ground
that they sympathize with Spain. The
report of Cen. Lee. besides showing
what difficulties the non-eombatants
have TO contend with in the matter OF
securing enough food to sustain life
also points oUt how they are oilen
hurried to prisons and condemned
without the trials Americans are ac-
customed to see given to persons
charged with of1enscs TO ls known
that Gen. Lees repOr. shows lhat
cruelty is practlced ON both sides. pu,
10 is said states that more cases nave
come 10 his knowledge o- wrongs on
The part of the Spanish
A very conservative member OF the
Senate Committee Ou Foreign Rcla-