Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-31
GENERAL BRADLEY T. JOHNSON.


Elves in the top story Of a flve-story
building. which. in many respects is az
fine as the Jefferson. and. besides the
consul office. has n ST. OF three or four
chambers He breakfasts In his rooms.
but takes his other meals at a nearby
restaurant He is in excellent health and
spirits. and is highly thought OF by botn
Cubans and the Spanish.
II think the Spanish rather distrust him,
because they entertain the belief that he
has come on some mysterious mission
and they don't know at what time he may
explode The Cubans, on the other hand,
rather think he has come with deciara-
ton OF independence in his pocket and
they look upon him as their saviour
''rhe climate is delightful In Habana,
General Johnson continued, and don't
think there is the least probability or
Fitzs contracting a fever. His relations
with Captain-General Weyler are very
pleasant. and the Captain-General has
great respect for him, and treats him with
great consideration.
SHOULD HAVE A BETTER PLACE.
eft ia my decided opinion, though, that
| IL IL a shame TO waste Lee in Habana.
He Is too big a man for the place, ana
ought to have an influential POSITION IN
! the Cabinet. either as Secretary or state
or of War. or he ought to be made Am
bassador at Madrid
Lee is such a gay-hearted man tnat lne
people of Virginia don't half undeistehd
| Kim They think he Is not serious, but
| thev underestimate him. He Is one OF
the wisest. ablest, and strongest men
know in public life in America. His du-
ties i'm Habana are not very onerous' but
HIS lines are certainly not laid in pleasant
| niaces He is I'm no more danger thah
any other American citizen, but there Is
| 40 telling when a mob will rise 81 preme
! in Habana. and, when they do. they VIII
! butcher every subject of Uncle sam
| they can find on the Island
MAY ULTIMATELY FIGHT US
"The spanish have a very exaggera'eu
! ,aaa ~ their strength, and they nrhiy
| haIt.ya that they can land 1000 soldiers
| =. ranna and march through 10 NJ"
| york and lay waste the whole country.
7 don't believe the Spanish Government
wants 70 engage this country III "atlale g
n,,t 7 Nrnlv believe that they VIII uIti-
r,atelv begin hostilities with US. Inc
/ ,noh Is crying for war on US, ana 'he
government to save itself, may nave 10
/ attack US. -,
"There is. in my opinion, no doubt or
- frfff
| ,heir fight for freedom. and ] predict that
/ the snanlsh army will succumb in ABOUT
| estaen months. The war Is characterized
| bv the greatest apathy on both sides, snd
there is really no fighting going on worth
/ sneauine of, The Spanish soldiers are
rather afraid of the rebels.
AS TO THE DUEL.
.In reference to the duel which l was
| challenged to fight, / want 10 say this
| FOR the benefit OF my friends, VINO nave
complained to me about my acceptance
| ~ that challenge. ! believed then, as !
believe now. that the inspiration of the
! attack on me came from high quarters.
| I, was made simultaneously by three
| Snanish papers in Habana. and when the
| publication was made denouncing me lot
| vilifylng the Spanish army, and calling
! The attention Of the Spanish officers and
| soldiers to me, there was real danger
nat with 5000 officers and 5000 soldiers
/ an the CITY. some attack would be made
on me I'm the dark and from the rear.
/ thought then, and / think now, that tht
! only way 10 avert that danger was to
ride straight at the threat. puphsnee
a notice I'm the Habana papers that u
anv gentleman was affronted at anything
I had written | was ready TO back
nv words. and my address was the Hote
Tnelatara. and l would be there Until
July nth"
DID NOT TAKE TO SPANISH.
General Johnson said he did not set
on at all with the language OF Spain, and
that everywhere he went he had an IN
ternreter pinned onto his coat-tail. nc
told several amusing anecdotes OF MS
experiences while in Cuba, and said WINE
II was possible that he might 90 baci
there he didn't think he would. He Il
looking a perfect picture Of health. anC
was in fine spirits when seen.