The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-16
LEES WORK IN CUBA LAUDED.
THE CHARGE THAT HE is NOT
FIRM IN HIS DEMANDS UNTRUE.

auage - Prisoners Now Spirited
AWAY in the Shadows of the Night
Instead of Being Publicly Execut-
cd-seven Women Ravished.
New York, Oct. 15.-The following pri-
vate letter has been received in this city
from a reliable correspondent in Cuba:
Havana, Oct. I, 1896. Dear Sir: In its
,ss,ie of September %, the Philadelphia
Press. under the heading Americans
bleeding in Cuba prints an alleged in
terview with an American citizen said
IN have arrived recently from this coun-
trv. and who, after graphically describ-
ing the horrors of the Cuban war and
how the lives and properties of the Amer
ican citizens are endangered, by this
state of things, makes scathng remarks
and severely critices the weak policy of
the United States government for not
taking a hand in stopping all these out
RACES. which were being daily commit
ted at it's very doors.
In all this he is absolutely correct, for
nothing can surpass the iniquities, the
untold crimes and outrages, which are
constantly being perpetrated by the
bloodthirsty and ferocious Spanish troops
all around the country, as testified to
bv truthful correspondents, who have
been constantly reporting all these hor-
rors.
But where Mr.. Mannix Qor believe 1t is
that gentleman who has written. the ar
ticle) has made a sure mistatement is in
his comments regarding Consul General
I
sent to Cuba Spanish officials seemed to
think that American rights there must be
respected and that such respect must be
enforced 1t was thought that he would
make a report to this government of the
facts that he could discover, and that he
would be backed by this government in
his demands for protection. Time went
on and no report seems to have been made
that gave any idea of the situation of af-
fairs Gen. Lee was expected to maintain
the dignity of this government in Cuba,
and he has reported within a short time
that the relations between this country
and SPAIN as far as affairs in Cuba went,
were of the most pleasant character. He
and Weyer are known to be on terms Of
friendiness.
when a complaint is made Gen. Lee
Is said to go to Gen. Weyler and ask con-
cerning the abuse that is complained Of"
Now all this is unfair, and does a great
injustice to Consul General Lee. In the
first place Gen. Lee sent his report to the
government concerning the state of at
fairs in Cuba, two months after his arriv-
al here 7 cannot give you the text nor the
nature Of the report for as you may pre-
sumo it is a diplomatic secret but can
say this much that it contained ample
and sufficient informa ton on the condi-
tons Of things in the island to guide the
goyeTnment in its future course in its re-
htons with the Spanish government.
In the second place he has maintained
the dignity of the American government,
and people, for in all his dealings, with
the Spanish authorities he has always i'm
pressed them with the force of his char
acter, placing the American interests
above all considerations, and whenever he
has any communications to deliver to the
authorlties-which are always couched in
the most severe and vigorous terms-he
always handles them personally in order
10 show them the interest he takes in haV-
Ing the affair promptly and satisfactorily
arranged, and to argue whatever difficult
ties should arise.
In the third place it is absolutely false
That when a complaint is made to him,
he first goes to Gen. Weyler to get infor-
nation about it, because this would seem
10 imply that he subordinates all his ac-
TONS to the Spanish side of the ques-
ions, and is influenced by the reports that
Neyler may give him of the facts, when
Is just the contrary.
rake the Gown case as an instance.
Long before the facts were known in the
states, he was already making his inves
Igatlons on certain information l fur
hshed him, which greatly assisted him in
,ne work of finding out the truth. Well,
III THIS particular case, Consul Lee never
LOT a moment consulted with the Spanish
Suthorities, until he obtained the facts
from reliable outside sources, and then
presented the claim to Weyler just day
gelore he received instructions from
washington to investigate the matter.
Lastly, regarding his being on terms of
nIehduness with Gen. Weyler, it is but
natural that in a diplomatic way he
should appear to be so, but in the natural
selse OF the word Gen. Lee cannot be on
mrms of friendship with Gen. Weyler
IN General d'Abbattoir," as Rochefort
styles him.
IN making the above statement, 1 am
CC''ely guided by a sense of justice toward
,olsdi Lee, whose frmness of character,
nesrlty and staunch Americanism have
on on Tor MIN the confidence and esteem
nS FELLOW citizens here, who know they
o..l hrm supporter of their rights and
""usied friend in case of need.
o. ''h IN position to affirm the above
.s' ana having been honcred with his
Dhce for some time. I can testify
t. As conduct in the defense of Amer
co,.. .an interests has always been firm, .ener-
rC ana dignified, and that he is "the
f,,,t man IN the right place" 1t is no
b, OF MS II he is not properly backed
6SAlHS government, and is left alone TO
s". nls own battles here, for / am con-
r'I mat If he were sufficiently sup
etgN' lhe American people would see the
iu v,o','u ne would take for them, and there
msriu not be any more disparaging re-
marks about him.
pri..e ring to the story Of shooting Of 81
v19ilerS vo. IN the Cabanas fortress, / think
elH now affirm that It did not happen.
pnti,se Tor some time there have been no
crotto executions which attracted consid-
ts,Ie attention, and were severely and
yo,t,y criticized in all foreign nations, es-
h'9Hy the American. Weyler, following
Istruction from DE LONE or the home
for, nhent, has adopted the old inquisi-
nri proceeding Of doing away with the
u,t,tIers IN the shadows of the night,
c,,.out lHquisitive gaze and sympathetic
tpri.IneHts' thus giving him better oppor-
n,,les TO clean out" the cells of the
INK ..'S IN order to make room for other
tbtr.ppy victims. Good God, that such
e|nt should happen at the end of the
tlsr7i-, hed nineteenth century In a Chris
A..