The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-25
LEE HAS SENT No LETTER.
FnibusterIng Expedition sails
From Key West

Washington. June 24-The state DEPART
ment officials are satisfied that the letter
alleged 10 have been received by a rela-
tive of Gen Fitzhugh Lee. from the lat
ter, containing severe reflections on the
Spanish methods IN Cuba and published
in several papers. is a fake pure and
simple. The relative in question denies
absolutely that he received such a letter,
and also says that he has not been in
correspondence with the consul general
for several months. II the Spanish gov
eminent makes inquiry about the matter
II Will be given positive evidence that no
such letter was written by Gen Lee, and
that an imposition was practiced on the
Washington correspondents who tele-
graphed it TO their newspapers.
Key West, Fla, June 24.-Considerable
excitement was caused among the Gus
toms officials this morning when it be-
came known that an expedition had de-
parted with party of sixty or seventy
Cubans known as flibusters, under the
command of Perico Torres.
Mr.. Knight, deputy collector. immedi-
ately dispatched the revenue cutter Wi
mona in pursuit of the finbustering yes
sci A. W. Bars Of Jacksonville, one
OF the crew of the steamer Three Friends
on her visit to Cuba, and who has been
in this city the past few days, left on
TIE vessel. II is OeHeNeQ tn1L ne came
here 70 perfect arrangements for the
transfer of men and ammunition to the
Three Friends, which is supposed TO be
waiting on the coast of Florida.
Marcos Rodriguez. lately imprisoned in
MORO Castle. Havana, is reported to be
a member of the expedition. Perico Torres
is well known in this city,
having lived here several years
in 1872. During these troubles he made
himself obnoxious TO the people, and was
ordered to leave the city. He then went
TO Honduras, where he Joined the army,
and was shortly afterwards promoted to
be colonel. Resigning his command in
Honduras he returned to this city a few
weeks ago.
Private advices in this city this morn
ing state that Gen. Truxillo has been safe
" landed in Cuba by the steamer Three
Friends.
Madrid, June 24.-The senate is still de-
batting the question of the relations be-
tween Spain and the United States. in the
course of the discussion of which, on Mon
day, Prof. Comas demanded that the pro-
tocol of 1877 with the United States be
abrogated.
The minister of war denies the state
ment that it is the intention of the war
office to call out the second reserve for
service in Cuba.
Philadelphia, June 2i-Capt. Dickman
of the steamer Laurada, who was recent
ly arrested at the instance of DR. Congos-
ia, the Spanish consul in this city, on the
charge of engaging in a Cuban tilibuster-
ing expedition, was given hearing this
afternoon before United States Commits
sioner Bell. After several witnesses had
been examined the hearing was continued
until Friday at noon, in order TO give the
government time to secure additional tes-
timony.
Thomas ]. Dunn, chief clerk and acting
deputy collector of customs at the port of
New York, swore that the records show
the Laurada cleared from the port of
New York on May g. He produced the
ship manifest and copy of her register,
which were admitted in evidence.
John Holmes, a sailor, swore that while
the Laurada was at New York Capt.
Morton, who had charge of the COmmO>
dore expedition, came on board. Others
who came on board were Mr.. Hart, Col
Nunez and two other men. Mr.. Hart,
he said, went on shore soon, but the
others accompanied the ship to Montauk
Point at the eastern end of Long Island.
Two tugs brought two lighters alongside.
One lighter carried about 100 Cubans and
the other was loaded with war lateral.
When off Montauk Point capt Nune2
left the Laurada with final instructions
to Capt Morton to get away as quickly
as he could"
The Laurada then sailed to Cuba and
the Cubans donned uniforms, drilled, fired
their guns and said they were "going to
Cuba to fight for liberty" The witness
stated that the men, arms and ammuni-
ton were landed on the coast of Cuba.
1t required four of the boats to take the
men ashore, he said, while another boat
conveyed the guns, dynamite and flags.
The witness, while giving his testimony
occasionally referred to a slip of paper,
and upon cross-examination he hesitating-
ly admitted that upon this paper he had
kept the run of tire voyage so that he
could testify afterward.
Holmes testimony was corroborated by
Octavius d. Weyman a sailor from New
York.
A continuance was then given until Fri
day next.