The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-09
PRICE TWO CENTS.
LEE TALKS ON CUBA'S WAR.
CONSUL-G ENERIL Ar HATANA IA rs
THE ISLAND rs DESOLATE.

Tho War Has Ruined Hcr Commerce. ana
nuslncss Is Restricted to DcnlinEs in Arti.
ciea or Absolute NcrcSsity - Condition or
Americans In Spanish Jnils-Ino'a Plans.
Fitzhugh Loo, Consul oncral OF tho United
States Mt Havana, arrived yesterday with his
son. Ttzhugh Leo, Jr., on Tho Ward line stoam-
ship scgurnnca. IIr said that he preferred 10
say nothing about Cuban affairs until no had
made his report to the President. lie Ind boon
suffering with biliousacss. but the soa voyage
improved his condition and he looked in robust
health. llc said that Evangclinn Cisnoros, who
Is In prison In Havana, had two clean rooms,
was well treated, and that he believed sho would
soon be pnrdoncd.
There was much suffering In Cuba, he said.
but the Americans, OF whom thorc arc about
1.40o. wcro being cared for out OF tho fund of
$4,000 appropriated for TINT purpose by Con-
gress. They received relief daily, Gen. Leo said,
but they were not importunatc, and up to tho
time the General left Havana only $4,000 Of
tho fund had been expended. Gen. Leo wns
seen last evening at tho Marlborough Hotel by
THE SCS reporter. The reporter asked him
about the condition of affairs in Cuba.
Affairs are In pretty bad shape" he an
swcred. Il will not discuss tho situation
nor give my personal impressions OF tho system
OF warfare which Is carried on by both parties,
but l can say this inuch--tiG result obtained SO
far has been the complete destruction of
the valuable commercial facilities Of the
onco fertile island, aud, as q conse-
qucnCc, tho business Of the country 10
paralyzcd. Transactions are limited now to
such articles as arc absolutely necessary for tho
maintenance of life. Then, too. the destruc-
tton OF property on tho alleged principle Of de
priying the enemy OF nil resources naturally
brings its sequel OF misery and dcsolation. and
the sufferers are the helpless victims OF this ter
rible state OF affairs"
rs there any truth In the report which has
been circulating here that you have come here
on a special mission from the Cubans In tho
field to make proposals OF peace. basel on tho
purchase of their independence. or to accept for
them q liberal autonomy with the guarantee Of
the United States T. he was asked.
There Is not n word Of truth In all those
stories" he replied. II nm here simply on o
leave OF absence for a month, which ! have OBJ
tanned from the State Department after repeated
requests, on account OF my health. We have
had II severe summer this year in
Cuba. and the exceedingly warm weather
and frequent rains have affected my health
to some extent. required a change of climate
and rest. cannot say definitely whether / will
return to Havana or not Mt the expiration Of my
term of absence. 1t oil depends on the circum-
stances which may present themselves and
Gen. Lee was questioned about the condition
OF the American citizens who are kept prisoners
in Cuba by the Spanish.
with tho exception OF the Competitor pris-
other prisons on the island. and Luis Someillan
in the Havana Jail. all the others out Of tho
scventy.fve cases I have had TO handle have
been released" said Gen. Ice. bat In tho ma
iority OF cases the parties have been ordered to
leave the island with absolute prohibition 10 re.
The Someiilan case is a very peculiar one. /
cannot understand how It has been delayed 90
much. Ihaye repeatedly called the attention
OF the State Department to the matter. urging
that prompt action be taken with the Spanish
home Government to get for Someillan q fair
would be ordered released. I, do not hes
itate to affirm. that in my opinion someillan
is innocent Of the charge mado against him as
was shown In the examination TO which he was
subjected. The accusation stands on the trihing
charge whether he was the person 10 whom was
Of a certain 'Ms,ilde., test which
It really had any connection with Ger.
tain Instructions for the landing of q
Cuban flibustcrtng expedition. and. although
l am sure that the State Department mover
abandoned the case, and has repeatedly In
strpctcd Minister Taylor to press the matter
nevertheless certain that Somcillan Is still suf'
ferinK the, rigors OF his Imprisonment and Is
still lingering in the Havana Jail, where he has
been for over n year and a half"
Gen. Lee will start to-day for est Point "a
visit his son, who is a cadet IN the Military
lcayr for Washington. where. it Is reported. he
will have a conference with high officials OF the
Administrations previous 10 his departure fol
his home in Virginia.