Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-17

He Tells of SpaIn's Feeling Towards
This Country.

WASHINGTON, November 16.-General
FitZhugh Lee, Consul-General OF the
United States to Cuba, returned here
Saturday evening from Virginia. where
he has been visiting his family. NO
time has yot been fixed for his return to
Habana, but it IS understood he has been
asked TO remain here probably couple
Of weeks longer, in order to hold HIM
self In readiness 20 confer with the
President and Secretary of State over
the Cuban situation. General Lee talked
of the Spanlsh-Cuban situation, and
while not denying the possibility OF war
with Spain, expressed the opinion that
the reports that open rupture was lrnihl-
nent, and that consequent preparations
for trouble were being made by both
countries. might be greatly exaggerated
He said ne had no knowledge or imine-
date danger OF hostility, though OF
course. there was great feeling among
some Spaniards against this country
who thought that, without hllDusterlhS
aid and comfort from here, the reDelilol
might easily be suppressed. lie SAID ne
had no information as to whether the
Spanish were preparing for war but they
might be making extensive military pre-
variations. without aiming them particu,
larlv at the United States, in view OF
the trouble they are having In both Cupa
and the Philippine Islands.
He said Il do not believe that there
has been any massing of armament III
Cuba with a view 10 possible trouuic
With the United States. nor that the
construction Of Spanish war-vessels Is 10
he attributed 10 any such contingency.
The Spanish may be improving their de-
fences wherever possible. but it does not
necessarily imply expectation OF war. Inc
United states Is steadily Strengthening It's
fortiNcations and defence works, but II
Is an old maxim that says, In time OF
peace prepare for war.
About the war sentiment In Cuba
The Spanish officials said nothing 10 me
that indicated an expectation OF war.
The only thing that could be construed
10 give that impression Is the mounting
Of n battery Of heavy seacoast guns along
the coast above Habana. There are
from twelve to fifteen of these that eX-
tend. perhaps, mile or mile and a
half north of the limits of the city
proper. These point 10 the sea. and not
toward the insurgents. In case OF at
tack IL is possible these might be made
TO supplement the defence given by
MORO Castle, Cabanas and Riena, and
other forts.
"The Spanish authorities rather cen
sure the United States for not strictly
enforcing the neutrality laws. and many
think that. as the sympathy Of TINS
country is more with the insurgents
than with the Spanish, our government
does not want 10 take the proper pre-
cautions TO prevent expeditions leaving
the United states seaports and landing
I'm cuba. / told the Spanish authorizes
that they must remember that there
was an immense extent Of seacoast mere
with iunumerable inlets. and places Wnete
expeditions could be concentrated am
embarked and from the trouble when
they themselves had 10 prevent the
landing OF such expeditions on the Gu
han coast. Notwithstanding the fact
that their gunboats and other Vessels
we're constantly patroling the coast and
on the lookout for filbusterers, some
idea could be formed Of the comparative
ease with which the United states au-
thorities could be evaded. With IN,
comparatively small Cuban coast-line' ]
know of only one big expedition-that
of the Three Friends-which has been
captured by them. Yet. this country mas
certainly prevented the starting OF nj
least half a dozen big expeditions FOR
the island. In view Of this as an object
lesson of the difficulty of putting a STOP
IN flibusterinC. / cOntended that the
spanish ought to be careful about censur'
inc ue L"