Evening star., 1896-11-05
He Declines to Say Anything About
the Situation in Cuba.
C0RRECTS some MISREPRESENTATION
On HIS Way to Washington and
Thence to Virginia.
COMMENT ON THE ELECTION

hugh Lee arrived from Havana late last
night on the Ward line steamer Vigilancia
The steamer remained in quarantine until
this morning, when she was released by
Health Officer Doty shortly after sun rise.
Gen. Lee was interviewed at quarantine in
his state room. He said his health had
been excellent from the time he left this
country last June, in spite Of reports to
the contrary. His stay in Cuba had been
pleasant, although the duties of his posi-
t;on were exceedingly onerous. Every day
questions Of Importance had to be decided
and the consulate was daily thronged with
callers. He had been treated with mill
tary courtesy by Gen. Weyler, whom he
described as a gentleman with pleasant
manners. but a strict disciplinarian.
Gen. Lee declined to talk about the Cuban
question even in general terms. He will
go TO Washington at once, without stop
ping in New York. He said that il things
remained as they were at present he would
take Mrs. Lee to Havana when he re-
turned.
Il speak such poor English, after my four
months stay in Cuba, that I am afraid to
trust myself to be interviewed in that Ian
self from replying to further questions
AT the steamships pier Gen. Lee was
met by number Of Americans whom he
rad befrierded within the past few months.
Batamcourt, f. Zaldo, Miguel Mendoze and
Louis Place.
Gen. Lee, who looked hale and hearty,
resisted all the assaults made upon him by
the newspaper men who We're anxious to
learn the object of his visit to this country
me general listened good-naturedly 10 all
the queries put TO him, and then said:
Hentlemen; l understand your position
ana am well aware that you understand
mine l will go to Washington as soon
as can catch n train. ard then will go
to see my family in Virginia"
What brought ME here? WHY ONLY to
see how the election went
What do you think of the result of the
election?'
Before the general answered this ques-
ton he turned to Mr.. Tolon and said /:
How do you spell those words which
mean Let the dead past bury its dead? ;"
MI. Tolon wrote out the following words:
Pas los muertos.'
The general repeated these words to the
reporters and said:
Gentlemen, I'm a poor hand at Spanish
but liberal translation OF the sentence
would read, Peace to the dead"
General. you have been quoted by the
correspondent of the FL Liberal Of Madrid
as having said that you We're confident that
the heroism Of the Spanish soldiers, under
General Weyler. would soon triumph over
the rebellion. and that you eulogized Spain
for the manner in which she is conducting
the war in Cuba
Il met that correspondent" said the gen.
eral. but | did not say that the Spanish
troops would triumph. What l did say
was that i admired Spain for the manner
in which she is bearing up against difficult
ties. both in the Philippine Islands and
Cuba
The general could not be induced to speak
further on any topic. and hurried away
in cab to catch the first train for Wash
ington.
Among those who met him at the pier
there was nothing but the highest praise
given the general for the manner in which
he takes care Of American citizens and
American interests in Cuba.
Mr.. Tolon, who was arrested on board
the Seneca the Sd of September. and
who was detained for twenty-five days at
police headquarters in Havana, was loud
in his praise of the general. He said:
MY declaration was taken on the fifth
day of my imprisonment, and l was not
allowed to see the consul until the eight
eenth day. He went to work with a will,
Of September. and 1 attribute my release
to the wonderful energy displayed by Gen
eral Lee"
Captain Mcintosh, who is in command of
the Vigflanca. had only few words to say
in reference to the attempt of the Spanish
authorities to arrest Antonio Escalante at
Havana on the outward trip of the steamer
| 1.-The chief of police said he, came
aboard when we reached Havana and told
me that he had an anonymous letter from
New York stating that Escalante was On
| board my ship, and that he was fugitive
| inasmuch that he tried to evade the
| military law. l told him that had such
man on board. but that 1 would not give
| him. up until l had consulted the American
consul. The chief OF police and [ have
| been fast friends for nearly twenty years
and the matter was conducted very quietly
| OF course, General Lee refused to allow Es-
calante to be taken from my ship, and
landed him safely In Vera Cruz.