The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-02-25
URGED TO HOLD ON AWHILE.
Secretary Olney's Answer to Gen. Lee
A Cabinet Conference.

New York, Feb 23.-A special to the
World from Washington says:
Consul General Lee has resigned, but
has been requested to retain his post for
Il time. at least. The following has been
received at the state department.:
MY resignation mailed per steamer.
LEE"
Secretary Olncy replied to this almost
Immediately, urging Gen. Lee to hold
his office until something could be done,
and adding that his retirement lat this
time and in this manner would cause
trouble"
Upon sending this dispatch. Secretary
Olney hurried to the White House with
Gen Lees telegram in his pocket and
talked over the situation for over an hour
before the other members of the cabinet
arrived to attend the regular cabinet
/ meeting
The president approved of the secrc'
tary's action in urging Gen. Lee to re-
tain his office for the present.
! IMPORTANT CUBAN MENI
New York, Feb. 23.-The World vii
publish tomorrow under the head of 1.-THE
| Most Important Document on the Cubar
| War" letter written to that paper by
| Salvador Cisneros. president of the pro
visional government OF the Cubans ant
| countersigned by Meximo Gomez. the
| general in chief. The letter was ap
proved nv the so-called cabinet OF tht
provisional government and bears th'
seal of the infant repdblic. 1t is as fol
| lows:
| AT the request Of your correspondent
we have the greatest pleasure in answer
| ing the following questions:
| "'Do you believe that the war can b'
| ended on the basis of Independence OF
| the payment of an indemnity by Cuba Il
| Spain with the United states as arpi
| tratOrE .,
"On the basis of Independence it vii
| be possible to enter into negotiations
| These should provide for the evacuation
| of the island by the Spanish and for th'
| future relations between Spain and tn
new Cuban republic.
1--WE believe there should also be IN
cludcd an indemnity 10 be paid Spain pro
| vdcd the amount is reasonable. I'M
| would be practicable and fair for all.
But if done it should be- done as sool
| as possible. The indemnity should pre-
vent the further loss of blood and o
| money. and il will save the resources o
| the people. who are sworn to complet
| destruction of the island before they vii
submit anew to the rule Of Spain
Each day that passes causes Tres
| hatred and devastati lion. Soon the pre-
ducing capacity of the country will be dc
| stroyed.
Cuba can pay less as time passes. no
| only because each moment she earns less
but il will be increasingly difficult for he
to fulfil the stipulation and agreement
she is now able to make.
"The indemnity to Spain should tax
the form of an acknowledgment an
guarantee by Cuba of part OF the den
already contracted by Spain or the pa!
ment of sum in bonds or in money l
Spain. a,,o 6,
| the United States to act as arbitrator G
semi-ofically as the friends of both side'
providing, always. that the Island
Cuba shall not sacrifice her independel
action.
I'VE are yours in the greatest respec
"SALVATOR CISNEROS,
"MAXIMO GOMEZ,
January q, 1897
This letter was forwarded by Sylvest'
Scovel. the World correspondent now IN
prisoned at Sancti Spiritus. which he ol