Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-03
WE. US AND CUBA.
Old Reports Revived as to Amer.
ican Intervention
STRONGLY DENIED AT THE TINE,

And Cannot BE Confirmed Upon Their Re-
vival-ClcvelanJ's Position Probably Tn
changed, but Congressmcn Inclined Co
Have q Hand I'm the Row-AIieged Vn-
favorable Report of Gen. Lee which
Represents Sp niards and Cubans -
Very Much Alike.
Washington. Dec. 3.-Eeports were In
quite general circulation here yester-
day to the effect that Secretary Olney.
some time in November. had given the
Spanish government courteously but
firmly to understand that the Cuban
rebellion must be crushed within thrcs
months or the United States would be
compelled to intervene to stop hostiii-
ties. 1t was said that prominent Re-
publican senators had been informed
Of this ultimatum. The reports in their
general features were similar to ruu;ors
prevalent about a month ago and
empha tically denied at the time by Of
ficials on the Cuban situation expressed
Madrid. No confirmation OF the latest
reports could be obtained in official
circles here yesterday, and 1t was
denied that Spain had been informed
Of any such ultimatum. Senators who
have been active in foreign affairs ard
have consulted state department; Of
ficiais of the Cuban situation expressed
the opinion that the administra ton had
not made any radical change in its at
titude, hut a number OF them gave 1t
as their own personal opinion that
congress should adopt vigorous meas
ures to end the present state OF affairs.
Lees Report rnfavorabic to Spain.
1t is expected that the president will
take early occasion to send to congress
the report Consul General Lee has sub
mitted to the secretary of state on the
result of his observations in Cuba. y
prominent member of the senate COM
mittee on foreign relations said that
1t would not he possible for the pres
ident To send a pro-Spanish message
to congress. in view OF the report which
Consul General Lee had made to Sscre-
tary Olney. Speaking generally of the
views of General Lee the senator said
that they were well enough known to
make ii clear that his report would
not lie favorable to the Spanish ccnten-
tions. 1t is known that the report which
General Lee made presents a very
grave, not to say horrifying, condition
of affairs in Cuba.
Condition That Lee Describes.
One of the conditions he describes is
that of the situation of the non-com-
batants-peaceable citizens who have
no interest in the war except to see
1t ended. These people. whether With
in the Spanish lines or the Cuban lines.
are sufferers. IF within the Cuban
lines they plant their crops In order to
obtain living only 10 have their terri
tory raided and occupied by the Span
ish forces, who Immediately destroy
the crops. burn the houses ard other
property of the planters. and upon the
slightest preteXt. IL is tllcEed. put the
men to death or inprison them on the
ground that they have been aiding the
rebellion. In fact It is REGARDED as aid
ing the Cubans If crops are raised
which they might obtain.
Culbans No BETTER Than Span:ar.i-.
Non-combatants within Spanish ter
ritory when occupied by the Cubcns
are given like treatment. on the ground
! that they sympathize with Spain. The
report of General Lee. besides showing
what difficulties the non-combatants
have to contend with In the matter of
securing enough 1000 10 sustain HE.
also points out how they are often
hurried to prisons and condemned with
| out the trials Americans are accustomed
| to see given to persons charged with
| offenses. 1t is known that General
Lees report shows that cruelty Is prac-
t;ced on both sides but. IL il said. states
that more cases have come to his
knowledge of wrongs on the part o. the
| Spanish.
Opion of n Conservative Statesman.
a very conservative member of the
| senate committee on foreign relations
| said yesterday that the conditions in
| Cuba were such that intervention by
| the United States in the cause OF hu-
| manity was demanded. and he had nc
| doubt that congress would carly take
| o stand in the matter.
To Cn~e . Cold In Cne Day