Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-04-16
IT WAS NO SURPRISE
Consul Williams Resigna-
ton Had Been Expected.
GEN. FITzHUGH LEES NOMINATION
Not Even the Senators from Virginia
Knew That He Was To BE
Nnned-Americans at Ha-
vana Pleased.

Washington, April 14-The nomina-
tion of a successor to Consul General
Williams yesterday afternoon caused
no surprise in official circles although
it was not positively known outside the
president and his immediate advisers
that the consul to Havana had actually
resigned until the name of Fitzhugh
Lee of Virginia was received by the
senate. 1t has been known for some
time that Mr. Williams was anxious TO
be relieved of the position of consul
general and this fact has been mem
toned several times in these dispatches.
When Mr. Williams visited the United
States last year, he rendered his resig-
nation, but was persuaded to remain in
office on account of the then threat
en9d seriousness of Cuban affairs. Mr..
Williams had become obnoxious to the
Spanish authorities in Havana on ac-
count of his vigorous manner of caring
for the interests of this government
and it was reported that he and Cap
tain General Campos had a personal
quarrel in which strong words were
used. In March last, Mr.. Williams re-
newed the expression of his desire to
relinquish the post ard it is said that
he finally agreed to remain until sue
cessor was appointed or until the end
of the open season, that is until the
present time. 1t has been claimed that
one of the causes why Mr.. Williams did
not have the good will of the Spaniards
was that his brother in law managed
from the United States West Indian
express company suspected of carrying
Oh an underground trade with the in
surgents,
Insurgents Friends More Hopeful.
Gen. Lees selection was not the re-
suit of any conference with the sena-
tors from Virginia Senator Daniel is
not in the city, having gone to the
Monticello celebration. His colleague,
Mr. Martin, knew nothing of the ap-
pointment until the nomination was
received by the senate. The selection
is one of the presidents own choice,
Gen. Lee being one of his personal
friends. There appears to be no politi-
cal sponsor for him, and no one in con-
gress who knew the bent of the presi-
Dental mind on this question. 1t is
agreed on all sides that Gen. Lee will
go to Havana in thorough accord with
the presidents views on matters per-
tanning to that island and having the
instinct of military officer thoroughly
implanted by years of service, will
be capable of dealing with the subject
of the rebellion there as the president
desires it should be dealt with. Gen.
Lee does not speak Spanish, but, aside
from this, is said to be well fitted for
the place, a man of strong determine
tion not easily turned aside from his
purpose. Among the friends of the
insurgents in this city the change is
looked upon as meaning that the prcsi-
dent is preparing to make some step in
the matter of the war in Cuba, and
some express the belief that Gen. Lees
report of the situation may very likely
give the president ample reason to eX-
tend the rights of belligerency to the
Cubans
Americans at Havana Greatly Pleased.
Havana, April 14.-The American
residents are greatly pleased by the
nomination of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee as
the successor of Ramon o. Williams,
American consul general here. 1t is
the opinion that Gen. Lee is man of
reputation and unquestioned Ameri-
canism, and that he is the one for the
place at this iuncture