Evening star., 1896-04-15
GEN. LEE AND CUBA
Effect Of His Recent Appointment as
Consul General.
his OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTIGATION
The Presidents Feeling on the Mat
ter the important Point.
Mr.. BLoUNTs FATE RECALLED

The suggestion comes from a Virginia
quarter that the appointment Of General
Fitzhugh Lee as consul general at Havana
may have no other meaning but desire
on the Presidents part to bestow on his
friend an office with a larger salary at
tacfred than the one ne has been holding.
General Lee has a large family. but no for
tune. and the matter Of salary is important
with him. Only such a consideration, 1t is
thought, would have induced him to agree
to exchange residence in one Of the most
attractive sections Of Virginia for one in
Havana.
His Opportunity for Thorough Inves.
tigatiOn.
Still. discussion Of the other view of the
appointment continues, and some questions
are coming up. What viii be General Lees
opportunities as consul general at Havana
for studying the Cuban situation? What
are likely to be his surroundings? What
the sources Of his information?' Will the
fact that he himself is an educated soldier
insure the larger and unbiased view?
General Lees reception will, Of course, be
cordial. The fact that he is distinguished
soldier will of itself commend him to Cen
eral Weyler, who may be expected to ex-
the minor Spanish officials, both military
and civil, will copy the commander-in-
chief. In this way General Lee it is to be
seen, will have exhibited to him the agree
able and the convincing side Of the whole
Spanish outfit. But how will that facili-
tate the gathering Of full and accurate in
formation by him concerning the insur-
gents? Conceding that he is willing to ride
abroad for that, and does so, is he likely
10 return with more Information than the
enterprising newspaper correspondents who
have already explored the field: It is hard
ly to be expected that even II he succeeds
in emf hn
be able to form more than a general opin-
ion of things.
The Presidents Attitude.
But the most important point at last is
thought t." relate to the Presidents own at
titude in 'he premises Is he friendly to
Cuba? Would he be glad upon the receipt
Of information that would thoroughly sat
isfy him as to the number and power of
the insurgents to grant them bell.gerent
rights, or appeal to Spain in the interests
OF their independence? Is he even, at this
time, genuinely impartial? Gen. Lee be-
fore starting for his post, will OF course be
informed fully as to all this. He must be-
or else he will lack enc incentive to thor
I ough work.
The Case of Mr. BIount.
This, it is recalled, was the rock on which
Mr.. Blount was wrecked in the Hawaiian
business The President was not friendly
to the Hawaiian republic. and sent Mr..
Blount to Honolulu to prepare a case which
would Justify an attempt to undo the Dole
government. When Mr.. Blount arrived on
the scene he shut lis eyes and closed his
ears to everything of a nature friendly to
the government. but opened them wide to
everything of the contrary nature. The re-
suit was he fell into the hands of fakirs
and slanderers, and tumbled into the very
pit he was digging for President Dole. He
was quite undone himself. and Mr.. Cleve-
land, his chief. had to retire ingloriously
from the field.
An Important Job on Hand.
General Lee has had experience both in
civil and militery life. He comes of very
fine stock. and he has worn his name well.
If he is going to Cuba in the double ca
pacity of consul general and confidential
adviser to the President about the state of
the revolt on the island he has an impor-
tant job on hand. 1t will test his Judgment
as 1t has never been tested before. He will
be surrounded from the outset by powerful
Spanish influences, and he will have every
thing presented to him IN the strongest
Of Spanish colors. He may find it profitable
to mediate on the fate of the ill-starred
Blount.