The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-11-20
CRISIS NEAR AT HAND
Opinion in Washington Regarding
the Cuban Insurrection.
LEE CALLS ON THE PRESIDENT
Offcials Still Disclaim Any Thought OF
Trouble with Spain, But Certain
Secret Movements Do Not Bear
Out Their Statements.

Washington, Nov. 18. = Although
officials here still assert that they ap
prehend no trouble with Spain over
the Cuban question, the belief is
general that matters are reaching a
crisis, and from the movements of cer-
tain officers and the unusual activity
at the navy yards and coast fortifica-
tlons it is inferred that something is
in the wind" Consul General Lee held
private audience with the president
last evening, and he will return to
Washington from West Virginia, where
he has gone on visit, tomorrow or
Friday for another interview with the
presiden and Secretary Olney. Asked
by reporter when he expected to
return to Havana he took refuge in
his favorite phrase ''quien sabe?" and
this was his informal reply to all ques-
tions. For fear of misinterpretation the
general invariably explained that this
literally means ''who knows?" or,
rather, in his own case, 81 have no
idea" The counsul gene raj ap-
peared to attach considerable signifi-
canoe to the report cabled from Havana
that Gen. Weyler was expected back
in Havana this week, and he was dis
posed to think the report accurate.
But the most searching inquiry failed
to develope in just what direction the
significance lay, whether it might be
taken as a positive indication that
Weyler's returning from the field
meant the failure of his campaign or
its partial success Whether Gen. Lee
has given any more definite opin-
ion to the president or Secre-
tary Olney cannot be wrung from him
by his closest personal acquaintances.
1t is, however, plausibly explained that
Gen. Campos was severely criticized
for keeping the field during the ten
years war, and that Gen. Weyler
could advantageously resume his head
quarters at Havana if he had passed
with large bodies of troops through
the insurgents stronghold and had
been unable to force battle. In that
event he would be compelled to divide
his forces into numerous small contin-
gents to operate against the smaller
bands of insurgents, and in that kind
of warfare his immediate presence on
the field would be not only superfuous,
but unwise In the field. under such
circumstances, he could not keep in
communication with all his forces,
but from Havana he could telegraph
cally control his troops throughout the
island. If it is true that Maceo, as
has been predicted, has declined tc
hold his men in one place and give open
battle to the greater Spanish forces,
then it is claimed Weyler was war
ranted in trusting the campaign to
subordinates. If, on the other hand,
so expert tactician as Gen. Lee, who
appears from conversation to have ac-
quired thorough geographical know
ledge of the fitting ground, has con
cluded that Weyler's return shows
that Maceo cannot be conquered
quickly, if at all, that the insurgent
position has been found .impregnable,
and that further reinforcements must
be furnished from Spain the situation
loses none of it's gravity. There arc
good grounds for believing that Gen.
Lees report to officials on this point
is not altogether different from the
s'uuien sabe" he vouchsafes to others.
but on this point he is as non-com-
initial as his superiors.