The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-12-03
CONSUL LEES REPORT.
1t Will Not be Favorable to the
Spanish Contentious.
THE NECESSITY FOR ACTION

on the Part of Our Government, in the
Interest of Humanlty-Non-Com c ON batants
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
States would be compelled to intervene &c
stop hostilities. 1t was said that promi
nent Republican senators had been in
formed of this ultimatum. No contirma
tiCn of the reports could be obtained in of.
fetal circles here, and 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 tho secretary of state on
the result of his observations in Cuba.
A prominent member of the senate com.
mittee on foreign relations said today that
it would not be possible for the president
TO send q 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 were well 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
affairs in Cuba. One of the conditions he
describes is that of the situation of the
non com mbatants, peaceable citizens, who
huv fv,Na in ha xvor In
it 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-
7 bellion. In fact, it is regarded as aiding
the Cubans if crops are raised which they
! might obtain. Non-combatants 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-combatantS
have to contend with in the matter of Sc
curing enough food to sustain life, alsC
points out how they are often hurried tt
prisons and condemned without trial. Il
is known that General Lees report shows
that cruelty is practiced on both sides, bu
it is said that more cases have come to hi
knowledge of wrongs on the part of tn,
Spanish,
A very conservative member of the sen
ate committee ON foreign relations sale
that the conditions in Cuba were such tina
Intervention by the United States in tn,
cause Of humanity was demanded, and h,
had no doubt that congress would early
take u stand in the matter
Representative McCreary, of kentucky
the leading Democratic member of tn
foreign affairs committee, who returned
to the city yesterday, said he was in favo
of the independence of Cuba. He though
there should first be friendly Intervention
with view to bringing about peace, bu
If that should not cause hostilities to ceas
civilization and humanity would justif
steps being taken looking to according
belligerent rights to the insurgents o
recognizing their independence.
| Vice President and Mrs. Stevenson ant
their daughter Miss Letitia, returned t
. the city yesterday. Concerning the Cuba
question, Mr.. Stevenson said he did no
! know what action was contemplated
There is he said, a very strong feeling Il
the country in favor of independence. Th
sympathies of the great mass of people c
the United States, in his judgment, wer
with the Cubans.