The sun., 1896-10-29
Our Consul-Gencral at Havana.

The official line Of conduct followed by Gen.
FITzHuGH LEE since his arrival at Havana
has been marked by judgment and moral
courage. He is watchful, Jealous. discreet
and resolute. His duties are exceedingly
perplexing at times. but he has success
fully performed them. Between his own
Government and the administration of the
Captain General of Cuba he has frequently
been placed in a trying situation; but he
has always got out of it with honor.
When he arrived in Havana four months
ago he was received with suspicion at the
palace, and was made the subject of hos
tile remarks in the press that spoke
for the palace. Ho was represented
as bellicose American, who would
seek to irritate Spain, who was in sympathy
with the insurgents, who had secret in
structions that were unfriendly to Span
ish authority, and who would not
scruple to perform acts provocative OF
war between Spain and the United
States One of the semi-otficial organs at
Havana printed remarks about him that he
might easily have regarded as insulting to
his office, and that seemed to be designed
to incite violence against him. 1t looked
at one time as though he would be deprived
OF some of the privileges that belong to his
consulate. such as the privilege of inquir-
ing into the treatment of Americans in
prison, or that of defending Americans
against whom charges might be brought.
or that of gaining desirable information.
1t is probable that these things annoyed
Gen. LEE; but he waited his time, in
spirit of forbearance He was a soldier; he
had seen actual service he had gained some
useful experience in public life, and he was
Z Nirgnian OF dignified manners.
When he first visited Gen. WEVLER at
the palace, by invitation, in June last, his
reception was satisfactory. The Spanish rep
resentative was guarded in his address and
seemingly dcsirous OF making II favorable
impression AS also, doubtless, was Gen. LEE,
for it was important to both OF them that
| their official intercourse should be conducted
in a manner conducive 70 proper under
standing of such questions us might after
| ward be brought up for ad djustment A num-
| ber of foolish stories about that interview
| were printed in the United States soon after
| its occurrence, but we are enabled to say
that there was noqunrrclling at it, and that
| each party gave information to the other
such as promised to be serviceable in the
| removal of misapprehensions.
From that time to this, during period of
between four and five months Gen LEE
has steadily pursued the course that is be-
coming for n representative of the United
| States in country that is the arena of a
war in which we cannot refrain from taking
a benevolent interest, yet in which this Gov
| ernment has refrained from interference
/ Il
protection of accused or wronged American
citizens; he has striven, and frequently
| with success, TO secure the removal OF
causes of complaint; he has brought num-
| ber of serious cases to the attention OF the
State Department at Washington; he has
obtained the release of prisoners un.
justly confined; he has rendered valuable
service to the incarcerated crew of the ship
Competitor; he has carefully investigated
| all reports relative to the destruction Of
American propertyin Cuba, that Spain may
be held to her responsibility in due time he
has, in repeated instances, asserted the lights
OF American ship captains; he has enforced
| respect for the authority Of his Govern
ment, and he has successfully laid claim TO
all the privileges possessed by the Consuls
OF other powers at Havana.
We are not aware that he has neglected
any one OF the duties of his Office; and it
will probably be found, when the dispatches
sent to Washington by him are published,
that he has communicated information
which may affect the policy of this Govern
ment when the obstruction of Cleyelandism
shall be removed out of the way Upon
several occasions marked resolution has
been required OF him, rs It was when he
presented to WEYLEE the atTronting mo-
tice that had been posted at the gate
OF Las Cabaias and as it was when
he presented the case of maltreated
American prisoners. Gen. LEE has not
shrunk from the performance OF those con
sular duties which may have been disagree
BILE. He has proudly upheld the American
flag at Havana. True it is that it
! has been out OF his power 10 de-
liver the suggestion that IL Spain
is TO wage war upon the Cubans she had
better observe the laws and customs of
civilized wYtare. Once upon a time this
! Government gave Spain 20 understand that