The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1896-12-05
Is THIS GEN. LEES VIEW!
A Virginia Editor and Friend, After
Talking with the United States Con
sul-General to Havana, Writes an
Open Letter to President Cleveland.

RICHMOND, Nov. 30.-An open let
ter TO President Cleveland, which
appeared as an editorial in the Fred
ericksbufg Star, has attracted con
siderable attention because it is sup
posed that something Consul Gener-
al Lee said while in fredericksburg
inspired it. The letter says:
.'You know that the trade, bust
ness and commerce of the island
have been wiped out; that robbery,
arson, murder, rapine and every form
Of cruelty prevail there, that the
prisons contain numbers of Ameri-
can citizens who can get no justice.
s.All these facts have been official
~ and authoritatively laid before
you.
"You further know that political
ly, geographically and commercially
Cuba should belong to this country,
or at least, be free under an Ameri-
can protectorate.
"You have been advised that on
the slightest move on the part of
this country looking to the recogni
tion of the Cubans, Spain will de-
clare war.
"You have been officially advised
by competent authority that such a
war will scarcely produce a ripple in
this country; that Weyler has not
more than ten days provisions sent
him at any time for bis army; that
your fleet is amply able to blockade
the island of Cuba; that were such a
blockade established, in ten days the
insurgent army would double in
size; that Weyler, cut off by sea from
outside communication, with the Gu
ban army in his front, would be
forced to surrender in ten days and
that it would hardly be necessary to
to fire shot to bring about this re-
suit.
These matters have all been
pressed upon your attention. You
say that Olney favors prompt action.
You know that Congress does, for it
has said so. You know that the
American people are at your back
far more strongly than they were in
the Venezuelan incident.
Humanity, watching these brave
men draw perilous breath in this
struggle for their liberty, cries out to
you to act. The logic of events de-
mands that you act. American in
terest calls for some movement.
Nothing, as you well know, but a
regard for so-called business inter
est, and the fear you will by any
move in favor of Cuba disturb the
alleged returning prosperity, is hold
ing you back.
"You have had it pointed out to
you by men you have confidence in
that you can settle this Cuban mat
ter before March A. Will you do so?
"Will you send, as you have been
advised to do, message to Congress
recommending that in the event the
Spanish Government does not end
the war by Jan. | this Government
should interfere? You are consider
ing that course. Don't you hesitate
to adopt it. No man in America
will cavil. 1t will be applauded to
the echo by the whole American peo-
pie, and 100000 freemen will
shout in one diapason of liberty,
swell done, good and faithful SER
vant!''
"You want to send in such mes
sage. Let nothing deter you.
"Mr. President, Cuba must be
free by the action of Grover Cleve-
land or William Mckinley. In nine
ty days the ides of March will be up
ON you. Will you wait in supreme
indifference till then?
"We think not, Mr.. President, and
we await with confidence your mes
sage to Congress ON Cuba"