The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-11-15
SPANISH WAR SCARE
GENERAL LEE NOT IN
CLiNED TO VIEW 1T VERY
SERIOUSLY.
AN OPEN RUPTURE REMOTE.
DON'S ARE ANGRY. HUT
NOT ONE AFTER REAL
TROUBLE.
soMm GUNS MOUNTED AT HAVANA.
Aside From This There Is Nothing to
Indicate Amy Preparation TO
Resist Invasion.

WASHINGTON, Nov 14-Gen. Fitz-
hugh Lee, consul general of the United
States to Cuba, returned here this even
ing from Virginia, where he has been
visiting his family. No time has yet
been fixed for his return to Havana,
but it is understood he has been asked
to remain here probably a couple of
weeks longer, in order to hold himself
in readiness to confer with the presi-
dent and secretary Of state over the
Cuban situation.
Gen. Lee talked tonight of the Span
ish-Cuban situation, and while not de-
nying the possibility of war with Spain
expressed the opinion that the reports
that open rupture was imminent, and
that consequent preparations for trou-
BILE were being made by both cOun-
tries, might be greatly exaggerated.
He sale he had no knowledge Of imme-
diate danger of hostility, though, of
course, there vas great feeling by some
Spaniards against this country, who
thought hat without flibustering aid
and comfort from here the rebellion
might easily be suppressed. He said
he had no information as to whether
the Spanish were preparing for war,
but they might be making extensive
military preparations without aiming
them particularly at the United States,
In view of the trouble they are having
in both Cuba and the Philippine
islands. HI added:
1 DO not believe that there has been any
massing of armament in Cuba with a view
to possible trouble with the United States,
nor that the construction of Spanish war YES
seis IS to be attributed to any such contingent
cy. The Spanish may be improving their
defenSes wherever possible, but it does not
necessarily imply expectation of war. The
United States is steadily Strengthening its
Notifications and defense works, but it Is
an Old maxim that says In times Of peace
prepare for war"
About the war sentiment in Cuba? The
Spanish officials said nothing to me that
indicated an expectation Of war. The only
thing that could be construed to give that
impression is the mounting of a battery Of
heavy sea coast guns along the coast above
Havana There are from twelve to fifteen
OF these, that extend perhaps a mile, or a
mile and a half north Of the limits Of the
city proper. These point to sea and not
toward the insurgents. In case of attack, 1t
is possible that these might be made to sup
plement the defense given by MORO castle,
Cabanas and Riena, and other forts.
The Spanish authorities rather censure the
United States for not strictly enforcing the
neutrality laws, and many Of them think that,
as the sympathy Of this country is more
with the insurgents than with the Spanish,
our government does not want to take the
proper precautions to prevent expeditions
leaving United States seaports and land
ing in Cuba. I told the Spanish authorities
that they must remember that there was
an immense extent of seacoast here, Will
tnnumerable inlets and places where expe-
ditions could be concentrated and embarked.
From the trouble which they themselves
had to prevent the landing Of such eXpedi-
tions on the Cuban coast, Notwithstanding
the fact that their gunboats and other yes
sells were constantly patroling the coast, and
on the lookout for flibusters, some idea could
be formed of the comparative ease with which
the United States authorities could be evaded.
With the comparatively small Cuban coast
line, l know of only one big eXpedition-that
of the Three Friends-which has been cap
tured by them. Yet this country has GER
tainly prevented the starting Of at least hs&
a dozen big expeditions for the island. In
view of this as an object lesson Of the diff
fculty of putting a stop TO flibustering, I
contend that the Spanish authorities ought
to be careful about censuring US.