The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-11-19
THERE MAY BE TROUBLE.
Gen. Lee Intimates That Spain and the
United States Might Clash.

Washington, Nov. 14-Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee, consul general of the United States
TO Cuba, returned here this evening from
Virginia, where he has been visiting his
family. No time has yet been fixed for
mis- return to Havana, but it is under
stood that he has been asked to remain
here probably n couple of weeks longer
in order to hold himself in readiness to
confer with the president and secretary
of state over the Cuban situation.
Gen. Lee tonight talked of the Spanish
Cuban situation, and, while not denying
the possibility of war with Spain, eX-
pressed the opinion that the reports that
open rupture was imminent and that con-
sequent preparations for trouble were
being made by both countries, might be
greatly exaggerated He said he had no
knowledge of immediate danger of hos
tility, though of course there was great
feeling among some Spaniards against
this country, who thought that without
filibustering aid and comfort from here
the rebellion might have been easily sup
pressed. He said he had no information
rs to whether the Spanish We're prepar-
ing 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 the Philippine islands and Gu
ha- He said:
II do not believe there has been any
massing OF armament in Cuba with Il
view to possible trouble with the United
States. nor that the construction of
Spanish war vessels is to be attributed
to any such contingency. The Spanish
may he improving their forces whenever
possible, but it does not necessarily i'm
ply expectation of war. The belief is
steadily strengthening that Spain is work
Tnn .l,fA bad Il
that says In times of peace prepare for
war
''The Spanish authorities censure the
United States for not strictly enforcing
the neutrality laws. and many think that
as the. sympathy of the country is more
with the insurgents than with the Span
lsh, our government does not want to
take the proper precautions to prevent
expeditions leaving the United States
Seaports and landing in Cuba. | told the
Spanish authorities they must remember
there was an immense extent of sea-
coast here with innumcrable inlcts and
places where expeditions could he con-
centratcd and embarked. From the
trouble which they themselves had to
prevent the landing of such expeditions
on the Cuban coast. Notwithstanding the
fact that their gunboats and other YES
sells We're constantly patrolling the coast
and on the lookout for filsbusterers.
some idea could be formed of the COM
parative easy with which the United
States authorities could he evaded. With
the comparatively small Cuban coast line
! know only one big expedition. that of
The Three Friends. which has been cap
tured by them. Yet this country has
certainly prevented the starting of at
least half dozen big expeditions for the
island: In view of this, as an object les
son of the difficulty of putting a stop to
filibustering, | contend that the Spanish
ought TO be careful about censuring us"
LIVELY SKIRMISHING IN CUBA.
Havana, Nov. 14.-Col. Segura met ot
Olega. in the province of Pinar del Rio.
the insurgent band of Ducassia. A live,
~ fire resulted and the insurgent forces