The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-15
He Thinks the Dons Should BE Careful
About Censuring the United
States Government.
WAR RUMORS EXAGGERATED
GENERAL wEYLER PROVING HIS
CLAIM TO THE TITLE OF BUTCHER.
An American Correspondents Review
of Affairs in the Isinnd-victories
for the Insurgents.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14-Gen- Fitzhugh
Lee, consul general of the United States to
Cuba, returned here this evening from Vir-
ginia, where he has been visiting his family
No time has yet been fixed for his return
to Havana, but it is understood he has been
asked to remain here probably a couple Of
weeks longer in order to hold himself in
readiness TO confer with the President and
Secretary of State over the Cuban situ-
alton.
General Lee talked tonight of the Span
ish-Cuban situation, and while not denying
the possibility of war with Spain, expressed
the opinion that the reports that open rup-
ture was imminent and that consequent
preparations for trouble were being made
by both countries might be greatly exag-
gerated. He said he had no knowledge of
immediate danger of hostility, though, of
course, there was great feeling among some
Spaniards against this country, who
thought that without filibustering aid and
comfort from here the REBELLION might easily
be suppressed He said he had no informa-
ton as to whether the Spanish were pre-
pairing for war. but they might be making
extensive military preparations without
aiming them particularly at the United
States, in view of the trouble they are
having in both Cuba and the Philippine
islands. He said: Il do not believe that
there has been any massing of armament In
Cuba with u view to possible trouble with
the United States, nor that the construction
of Spanish war vessels is to be attributed
to any such contingency. The Spanish may
be improving their defenses wherever possi-
BILE, but it does not necessarily imply ex-
pectation of war. The United States Is
steadily strengthening its Notifications ano
defense works, but 1t is an old maxim
that says. In time of peace prepare for
war;
About the war sentiment in Cuba? The
Spanish officials said nothing to me that in
dicated an expectation of war; The only
thing that could be construed to give that
impression is the mounting of a battery
of heavy seacoast guns along the Coz st
above Havana. There are from twelve to
fifteen of these that extend perhaps mile
or a mile ard half north OF the limits of
the city proper. These point to the sea and
not towards the Insurgents. In case Of at
tack it is possible that these might be made
to supplement the defense given by Moro
Castle, Cabanas and Riena and other forts
1.-The Spanish authorities rather censure
the United States for not strictly enforcing
the neutrality laws, and many think that
as the sympathy Of this country is more
with the insurgents tkan with the Spanish
our government does not want to take the
proper precautions to prevent expeditions
leaving United States seaports and landing
in Cuba. 1 told the Spanish authorities
that they must remember that
there an immense extent OF
seacoast here, with innumerable in
lets and places where expeditions could
be concentrated and embarked From the
trouble which they themselves had to pre-
vent the landing of such expeditions on the
Cuban coast, Notwithstanding the fact that
their gunboats and other vessels were con-
stantly patroling the coast and on the
lookout for filibuSters, some idea could be
formed of the comparative ease with which
the United States authorities could be
evaded. With the comparatively small
Cuban coast line, 1 know of only one bis
expediton-that of the Three Friends
which had been captured by them. Yet thi:
country had certainly prevented the start
| ing of at least half dozen big expedition.
| for the island. In view of this as an objec
| lesson of the difficulty of putting a stop tt
| filibustering, l contend that the Spanish
| ought to be careful about censuring u.s.