The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-06-23

due. While it is true that consular Off
GERS, under their general instructions,
are expected to report to the State de-
partment any events that might be of
interest to our government, IL cannot be
learned that Consul General Lee was
| under any special instructions to make
report upon the policy to be pursued
towards Cuba. For such information
respecting the military situation as he
could have gathered while pent up in
Havana and at distance from the
fighting line, the State department
would be grateful and it would carry
| weight in view of the military eXpe-
rience of the Consul General; but after
all. his report will be of value in exact
accordance with the facts contained
and it is hardly to be supposed that the
Consul General will go beyond such a
statement.
SIMPLE STATEMENT OF FACTS.
1t is not supposed in official circles
that he will attempt to shape the poi
icy of the State department as to recog-
tion of belligerency or of independence
which must be decided in Washington
after contemplation of field broader
than is open to the perception of an
official stationed in Cuba AT present
the State department is giving more
attention to the redress of grievances of
American citizens than to the other
subject of the propriety of interference
in the strife between the Spanish and
the Cubans.
The treatment of such matters is
sufficient TO engage the attention of the
State department just now and it is re-
garded as impossible that there will be
any amount of change in the policy
pursued towards the general subject
of relations with Spain, particularly
| as the prevalence of the rainy season in
Cuba has operated largely to restrict
military operations there. The depart
| ment adopted its present line of policy
respecting the Cuban revolt after OBJ
| tanning the best evidence in its reach
| and there is no reason to apprehend
| that evets have occurred on the island
| recently of sufficient Importance to
| warrant a radical departure. General
Lee has been in Cuba only twenty
| days and even with his military train
| ing, it is believed he can scarcely have
| arrived at a conclusion as to the status
| of the revolt upon which he is willing
/ to risk his reputation but. however this
L
| partment will not make change in
| its policy without mature considera-
| ion and does not expect, it can be
| stated positively, to receive any report
| from General Lee that would require
| it at this time TO make an issue.
| THE PRESIDENTS POSITION.
President Cleveland is opposed to
| the recognition of Cubans as belliger-
| ents. 1t is his belief, as well as that
of other administration officials, that
| the Cubans would not be benefited by
such recognition.
| 1t is believed that the President
| would rather intervene by force if
| necessary, and then only in the inter
est of humanity. The facts at present
in the possession of the authorities do
not warrant the assumption that the
Cubans have anything upon which
| they can. under international law, be
| recognized by this government. II
may be that General Lees reports may
| show different condition.
/ 1t is undoubtedly true that the in
surgents have all the military essentials
of war, SO far as an army is concerned
| but they have no seaports, nor any
of the other requisites for recognition
| Dg IL foreign government.
| The administration officials are look
| ing forward with eager expectation to
| General Lees reports, for they believe
| that through them they will be able
| to get at the exact situation prevailing
on the. island, and by them can be
| guided as to the course they ought to
/ pursue. 1t can be stated positively
| that nothing will be done until these
reports are received, and not then un-
| less they should show condition ex-
| listing which should demand action.
| In case the President should decide
| after mature consideration of General
| Lees reports, that Intervention should
be made or recognition granted, he
| can do so with the knowledge that the
| United States, from a naval point OF
view, was never SO well prepared for
/ trouble with foreign government as
now. Practically, all the vessels in ser
vice or laid up at navy yards are ready
| for sea, and many of those under con
struction are in an advanced stage OF
| completion and can, if necessary, be
placed in commission within the next
| few months. Several small gunboats
| and torpedo boats are to be completed
| this fall and winter, and if required
they could also be rushed toward com.
pletion in less time than their con
| tracts now call for.
| GENERAL LEE DENIES IT.
| Havana, June 22.-United States
| Consul General Lee, when asked re-
garding the published allegations that
he has sent a report to President Cleve-
| land on the Cuban situation, denied
absolutely that he has sent any report
on this subject.
| London. June 22-The Madrid cor
respondent of the Standard says: 1.-THE
| Spanish government has no official
| confirmation of Consul General Lees
alleged report to President Cleveland
If it is true, his stay in Havana will be
a difficult one
| 'The Minister of the Colonies to-day