Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-12
WEYLER BARS LEE.
Our Consul-General Not Permitted
to Visit Imprisoned Americans.


Habana dispatch Of the 10th instant
to the New York Herald says:
Captain General Weyler's order de-
handing strict enforcement by command
ing governors of forts Of the Spanish
law prohibiting the entry therein OF for
egners in time Of war. is known to be
especially aimed at Americans. 1t will
prevent future visits by United States
Consul-General Lee and the attaches OF
his Office TO American prisoners confined
in Cabanas or MORO castles.
An exception to the military rule had
always been made in the case OF Mr.. Will
liams, on account Of his intimate personal
relations with local Spanish officials, but
the line is to be closely drawn against
General Lee. who has neither family nor
business ties upon the island.
1t being visitors day at the Cabanas
fortress on Sunday last. Consul General
Lee. wholly innocent OF any intention 10
defy Spanish regulations. went to the
castle in an unofficial capacity. accom-
panied by Mr.. Williams as interpreter. He
saw Julio Sanguilly and the Competitor
prisoners, the former in spotless linen
and comfortable quarters. cheerful. hale.
and hearty; the latter crowded into a
small, filthy room, lying upon the floor.
i'll. and covered with vermin.
SAD CONDITION OF LABORDE.
Laborde. the Competitors captain. was
so xvaak tbat bgg oor,pa ,go,a bod 60 enc
tain him while he conversed with Consul
General Lee through the iron-window
bars. An open drain passed through the
room, and foul water ran over the floor
The prisoners had no bedding save old
! coffee sacks. and the stencil in the prison
was sickeninG Early on Monday Consul
General Lee called at the palace, made
formal complaint to Captain General Wey-
Ter, and asked that the Competitors crew
be transferred TO healthier quarters.
The Captain-General yesterday morning
notified the Consul-General that the men
had been transferred. Consul General
Lee was naturally surprised to learn later
that Captaln-General Weyler had censured
the governor of the castle for having
permitted him to talk with the prisoners
on Sunday, and 1 understand strict orders
have been to-day given to officers Of both
Cabanas and Moro castles against adj
hitting the new representative Of the
United States in future, whether in an
official or private capacity.
American residents here believe this ac-
ton may call forth a formal protest from
the State Department at Washington, de-
handing a recognition Of the right of our
Consul-General to visit American prison.
ers whenever he may deem, If convenient
The Spanish Governments refusal TO
permit the legal counsel bradley T. John
son-Ed.), engaged by COnsdl-General Lee
to defend the American artist. Dawley,
TO visit the latter. is also generally dis
cussed by residents and foreigners az in
dicating that the relations between the
two governments are not altogether cor
dial. Dawley. despite the Captain-Gen-
erals personal promise made 10 the
United States Consul-General that he
would be released at once, is stll in
prison. and his lawyer, each day upon
calling at the Spanish military head
quarters, receives the same stereotyped
response: "Manana," tomorrow.