The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-11-15
WILL WAR RESULT?
Gen, Lee Says Spaniards Entertain Hos
tile Feelings For Us.

tile Feelings For Us.
Washington, Nov H. Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee consul general of the United States
10 Cuba returned this evening from Viz
Ginia, where he has been visiting his
family. No time has yet been fixed for
his return to Havana, but it is under
stood that he has been asked to remain
here probably couple of weeks longer in
order to hold himself in readiness to COLI
fer with the President and Secretary of
State over the Cuban situation
General Lee talked tonight of the
Spanish. Cuban situation and, while not
denying the possibility OF war with Spain,
expressed the opinion that the reports
that an open ruI ture was imminent, and
that consequent preparations for trouble
were being made by both countries, might
be greatly exaggerated. He said he had
no knowledge of immediate danger of
hostility, though, of course, there was
great feeling among some SEaniards
against this country, who thought that
without flibustering aid and comfort
from here the rebellion might be easily
suppressed. He said he had no informa-
ton as to whether the Spanish were pre-
pairing for war, but they might be MAX
ing extensive military preparations with
out aiming them particularly ut the
United States, i'll view of the trouble they
are having with Cuba and the Philippine
Islands, He said:
81 do not believe that there has been Il
lnassinS of armament in Cuba with Il
view to- possible trouble with the United
States, nor that the construction of the
Spanish war vessels is to be attributed to
any such contingency. The Spanish may
he improving their dcfcnses wherever pos.
siblc, but it does not necessarily imply
expectations of war. The United States
is stcadily strengthening its Notifications
and defence works, but it is an old
maxim that says In time of peace pre-.
pare 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 he construed to
give that impression is the mounting of
II battery of heavy seaconst guns along
the coast above Havana. There are from
twelve to fifteen OF these that extends
perhaps mile or II mile and IL half north
of the limits OF the city proper. These
point to the sea and not toward the in
surgents. In case of an attack il is pos
siblc that these might be made to supple
inent the defense given by Moro Castle,
Cabanas and Rienna and other forts
1.-The Spanish authorities rather censure
the United States for not strictly enforc.
ms bhS iitNS. unl many Jllnk
that, rs the sympathy of this country is
more with the insurgents than with the
spanish, our government Ioes not want
to take the proper precautions to prevent
expeditions leaving the United States
se;iports and landing in Cuba. | told the
Spanish authorities that they must re-
member that there was an immense ex-
tent OF. scacoast here, with innumerable
| inlets and places where expeditions
could he concentrated and embarked.
From the trouble with which they them
selves had to prevent the landing of
such expeditions on the Cuban coast,
notwithstanding the fact that their gun
boats and other vessels were constantly
patrolling the coast and on the lookout
for iilibustcrs, some idea could be formed
of the comparative ease with which the
United States authorities could be
evaded With the comparatively small
coast line know of only one expedi.
tion-that of the Three Frientls-which
has been captured by them. Net this
country has certainly prevented the start
ing of ut least II half II dozen big expedi-
tions for the island. In view of this as
an object lesson of the difficulty of put
ting stop to flibustering contend
ed that the Spanish ought to be careful
about censuring u.s.