The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-12-09
Rumor Of an 0Iney UIti-
matum.
Gen. Lees Report Unfavor.
able to the Spanish Side.

WAsn1NGroS, Dec. 2 Reports were
in quite general circulation here to-day
to the effect that Secretary Olney some
time 10 November bad given the Span-
ish government courteously but firmly
to understand that the Cuban rebellion
must be crushed within three months
or the Uaited States would be compeil
ed to Intervene to stop hostilities 1t
was said that promioent Republican
senators had been Informed of the ulti-
matum. The reports in their general
features were similar to rumors preva-
lent about month ago aud we're en-
pbatically denied at the time by off.
cials Of this government and also at
Madrid. No confirmation of the latest
reports, it is believed. we're obtained in
official circles here to-day, and it was
deuied that Spain had been informed Of
any such ultimatum.
Senator's who have been active in for
eign affairs and have consulted state de-
partment officials ou the Cuban situa-
ton expressed the opinion that the ad-
miuistration bad not made any radical
change in it's attitude, but number of
them gave it as their personal opinions
that congress should adopt vigorous
measures to end the present state Of
affairs.
It is expected that the President will
take early occasion to send to congress
toe report Consul General Lee has sub
mittcd to the secretary Of state on the
result of bis observations in Cuba. A
prominent member Of the senate com
mit.ee on foreiga relations said to day
that it would rot be possible for the
President to send a pro-Spauish meas
ure to congress ia view the report
which Consul General Lee had made to
Secretary Oluey. Speaking generally
OF the views Of General Lee. the sena-
tor said that they were we'll enough
known to make it clear that his repor,
would rot be favorable to the Spanish
contentious
1t is known that the report which
General Lee made presents a very
grave, not to say horrifying condition
Of affairs 10 Cuba One of the con-
ditions he describes is that Of the situa-
tiou Of the por-combatants, peaceable
citizeos, WHO have DO interest in the
war except to see it ended These peo-
pie, whether within the Spanish lines
or the Cuban lines, are sufferers [
witbio the Cuban lines they plant their
crops in order to obtain living, only
to have their territory raided and occu-
pied by the Spanish forces, who imme-
diately destroy the crops, burn tie
houses aud other property of the plant
ers. aud upon the slightest pretext, ii
is alleged, put the meo to death or i'm
prison them on the ground that they
had been aiding the rebellion. In fact,
it is regarded as aiding the Cubans il
crops are raised which they might OBJ
tain. Non. .comba;ants within Spanish
territory, when occupied By the Cubans
are given like treatment on the ground
that they sympathize with Spain. The
report of General Lee, besides showing
what difficulties the non com batants
have to contend with in the matter Of
securing enough food to sustain life
also points out how they are often hur-
ried to prison and condemned without
the trials Americans are accustomed to
see given to persons charged With Of
fsnsts
It is known that General Lees re-
port shows that cruelty is practised on
both sides. bu. it is stated that more
cases have come TO bis knowlege OF
cf wroogs on the part Of the Spanish
4 very conservative member Of the
senate committee on foreign relatious
said too day that the conditions liz Cuba
were such that Intervention by the
United States 10 the cause of humanity
was demanded, and be had no doubt
that congress would early take q stand
in the matter
The treasury officials have been ad-
vised that the suspected 6libustering g
craft, Dauntess. which left Brunswick !,
Ga yesterday. had arrived at Jack
sonville. Fla. Last Monday the CON-
mander of the revenue cutter Boutwell,
who has been keeping watch on the
Dauntless at Brunswick, obtained per-
mission to steam down to Jackson lie
for stores. Within an hour after the
Boutwell's departure the Daontless got
up steam and without clearance papers
started for Jacksonville, but for what
purpose is not known The command
er of the Boutwell, to-day was instruct
ed to keep the Dauntless under strict
Surveillance. Il is understood that
under DO circumstances wil the Daunt-
less be permitted. fo7 the present at
least, to leave Jacksonville harbor.