Evening star., 1896-11-16
GENERAL LEE TALKS
Spanish Authorities Blame the United States
for Not Enforcing the Neutrality Laws.
Has No Knowledge of Immediate
Danger of Hostility or War
Preparations. .t-

Consul General Lee, who is on a visit to
this city to confer with the Secretary OF
State on Cuban affairs. has made a state
men In regard to the situation. While not
denying the possibility of war with Spain,
ne expressed the opinion that the repor1s
that open rupture was imminent and that
consequent preparations for trouble were be-
ing made by both countries are greatly
exaggerated. He said he had no kaowI-
edge of immediate danger of hostility.
though, of course there was great feeling
among some Spaniards against this coun-
try. who thought that without filibuster-
ing aid and comfort from here the rebel
lion might be easily suppressed. He said
he had no Information as to whether the
Spanish were preparing for war; but they
might be making extensive military prepa-
rat1ons without aiming them particularly
at the United States. in view of the trou-
Die they are having with Cuba and the
philippine Islands He said:
Il do not believe that there has been
any massing Of armament in Cuba with a
view to possible trouble with the United
States. nor that the construction of Span
ish war vessels Is to be attributed to any
improving their defenses wherever possi-
bic, but 1t does not necessarily imply ex-
pectation Of war. The United States is
steadily Strengthening it's Notifications and
says: In time of peace prepare for war
About the war sentiment in Cuba? The
Spanish officials said nothing to me that
indicated an expectation of war. The
only thing that could be construed to give
that impression Is the mounting of a bat
terry of heavy seacoast guns along the
coast above Havana. There are from
twelve to fifteen of these that extend per-
haps mile or a mile and a half north Of
the limits Of the city proper. These point
to the sea and not toward the insurgents
In case Of attack 1t Is possible these might
be made to supplement the defense given
by Moro Castle Cabana and Riena and
other forts.
the United States for not strictly enforc-
ing the neutrality laws; and many think
that as the sympathy Of this country is
more with the insurgents than with the
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 was an immense extent of seacoast
here, with innumerable inletS and places
where expeditions could be concentrated
and embarked. From the trouble. with which
they themselves had to prevent the land
ing Of such expeditions on the Cuban coast,
Notwithstanding the fact that their gum
boats and other vessels were constantly
patrolling the coast and on the lookout for
flibusters. some idea could be formed of
the comparative with which the
United States authorities could be evaded.
With the comparatively small Cuban coast
line. 1 know of only one big expedition
that of the Three Friends-which has been
captured by them Yet this country has
certainly prevented the starting OF at
least half dozen big expeditions Tor the
island. In view Of this an object lesson
of the difficulty of putting a stop to fill
clustering. l contended that the Spanish
ought to be careful about censuriug US.