The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-11-06
GEN. LEE AT HOME.
He Refuses TO Discuss Domestic or
international Politics.

New York, Nov. 5.-General Fitzhugh
Lee, accompanied by Thomas Jones. his
private secretary, arrived from Havana
late last night on the Ward Line steam
er Vigilancia. The steamer remained in
quarantine until this morning. when she
was released by Health Officer Doty.
He refused to talk about Cuba. He said
he would take the fist train for Wash
ington, and return to Cuba in three OF
four weeks.
The Vigilancia arrived at her dock at
9 a. IN.
General Lee was met at the pier by
numb ber of Cubans and Spaniards,
some of whom he had succeeded in
liberating from MORO Castle, where
they had been incarcerated by General
Wayler as political prisoners.
When General Lee was asked TO talk
about the situation in Cuba, addressing
group of reporters, he said: Now,
boys. l understand your position and l
thing you understand mine You know
IT would be impolItic for me to say any
thing about Cuban affairs even aside
from my official position"
The General looked extremely we'll.
and was in excellent condition and good
spirits. He was asked what his mis-
sion was haze at this time and he said
on, l only came up to see how the
election went"
Asked what he thought of IT he said
'Paz Il los muertos." which he trans
lated as ''let the dead rest" or peace to
| the dead"
When asked seriounsly what his mis-
sion here was he refused to tell. but he
said lie would go TO Washington by the
very first train. and as soon as he had
| called upon President Cleveland he
would go to Virginia and visit his fam
lily.
He said he would return to Havana
IN three or four weeks and would be
glad when the time arrived for his de-
| parture. for he did not relish the idea
of winter here when he could enjoy
II in pleasanter place.
Among those who met General Lee
at the dock were Lorenzo Betancourt
5. 7. Tolon, F. Zaldo, the agent OF the
August Belmont & Co.'S banking house
In Havana: Louis Place. a wealthy Gu
ban planter, and Miguel Mendoza They
all congratulated General Lee and
thanked him for his work on behalf of
Americans in Cuba.
Captain Mcintosh, of the Vigiiancia.
which arrived to-day. reluctantly told
the story of General Weyler's attempt
to take passenger from his vessel
and his failure to do SO. He said no
threat that he knew of was made to
fire upon his craft unless he gave the
the man up. The passenger, he said
was Antonio Escelante, who boarded
the NiEilancia at this city, and was
bound for Vera CruZe. The man claimed
to be an American citizen. When at
Havana the Chief of Police of that city
came aboard and said that General
Weyler had received a letter from this
city (New York; that Escalante was a
Spanish subject ana was on his way to
Mexico TO escape military duty, and on
the strength of that communication
General Weyler demanded the surren-
der of the man. Captain Mcintosh told
the Chief of Police that unless Consul
General Lee consented to the mans sur
render he would not give him up with
out fight.
His venssel was then lying in Havana
harbor. He was advnsed that General
Lee had refused to surrender the man
and he was not molested again.