Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-18
"QUIEN SABE?"
Is All Gen. Lee Will Say on
the Cuban Question.
Does He Think That Gen. Wey|er Has
Accomplished His Purpose,
Or That the Cuban Patriots Are Wjnnjno Out
Their Liberty?

Washington, Nov. 17-Consul-G General
Fitzhuge Lee saw the President. today,
for the first time since he returned to
this city, Saturday. When asked when
he expected to return to Havana, Gen.
Lee took refuge in his favorite phrase:
"Quien sabe?'
The general invariably explains that
this literally means Who knows" or
rather in his own case, Il have no
idea"
In conversation, today. Gen. Lee 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.
The most searching inquiry failed to
develop in just what direction the sig
nificance lay, whether it might be
taken as a positive indication that
Weylers returning from the field meant
the failure of his campaign or it's par
fial success.
Whether Gen. Lee has given any
more definite opinion to the President
or Secretary Olney cannot be wrung
from him by his closest personal ac-
quaintances. 1t is plausibly explained
that Gen. Martinez Campos was severe
critiZed for keeping the field during the
10 years war and Gen. Weyler could
advantageously resume his headquar-
tiers at Havana if he had passed with
large bodies of troops through the in
surgents stronghold and been unable
to force a battle.
In. hat no l.a fasall LODI IN
divide his forces into numerous small
contingents to operate against the
smaller bands of insurgents and in that
kind of warfare his immediate presence
Oh the field would lie not only superflu-
GUS but unwise. In the field. under such
circumstances he could not keep in COM
munication with all his forces. but from
Havana he could geographically control
his troops throughout the island.
If it is true that Maceo. as predicted.
has declined to hold all his men in one
place and give open battle to the greater
Spanish forces. then it is claimed that
Weyler was warranted in trusting the
campaign TO his subordinates.. If. on the
other hand. so expert tactician as Gen.
Lee. who appears from his conversation
to have acquired Il thorough geographic
cal knowledge of the fighting ground has
concluded that Weyler's return shows
that Maceo cannot be conquered quickly
ii at ALL that the insurgent position has
been found impregnable: and that fur
Their achievements must be furnished
from Spain, the situation loses none OF
its gravity.
There are good grounds for believing
that Cen Lees report to the officials on
This point is altogether different from the
"Quien sabe'' he vouchsafes to others.
The Duke of Tetuan cabled the Span
ish minister here. tonight: Gen.
Weyler continues his advance
through the hills. He has taken many
prisoners left behind by retreating
bands in great distress. The move
nent is from Mariel to Bahia Hona,
thence to Calendaria. Maceo is re-
treating and avoiding a fight
Minister Dupuy de Lone infers from
the dispatch that Gen. Weyler does
not seem to be thinking of a hasty re-
turn to Havana. although the dis
persion of Maceo's band from the hills
simplfies the insurrection so far as
Pinar del Rio is concerned. There is
nothing to show that any insurgents
have attempted to cross the Trocha.