The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-03-16

sent out OF battles are always over
rated, but the suirerings IN the island
have not been overrated by the press.
They are even greater than has been
described. On my way back to Havana
by rail, I was in the first cur. In the
second were twenty yellow fever pa
| TENTS being taken to q hospital near
that city. Many of them were 50 weak
that they had to be carried from the
drain.
GRANDEUR OF THE ISLAND.
II was struck too. with the grandeur
Of the Island. continued DR.. Thomas,
very little Of it Is now under cultiva.
| ton, but 1t can be made to blossom as
the rose. 1t is fertile, immensely
productive, beautiful When the war is
over, thousands OF Americans, Ger
island There viii an infusion Of new
blood, new brains and new capital. It
Will be the place TO make a fortune In. y
BACK TO HAVANA
Dr. Thomas did not remain long in
Juanajny. but returned to Havana by
rail- a rather dangerous trip. as the pa
lriots were In the habit about that time
OF indulging their propensity Of dyna-
mitlns IL train every time they got q
chance. In fact. they passed one train
| on the way which had boon blown
from the track by insurGcnt nitro-gly-
cerine. The Doctor was in Mariel the
night before MucCo was killed, the latter
meeting his death within u half mile OF
the place. lie was in Havana when the
heroic Cofonna mce his death In front OF
Spanish rifles. He had an invitation to
go TO the shooting but preferred to
| stay away.
The Doctor, who, by some queer PROV
idence, is still a single man, appears to
have lost his heart to the Havana beau
lies and tells interesting stories Of their
charms. but declares that they are viz
tually slaves to their husbands.
| THEY WANT FITz
Speaking Of Consul General Lee. Dr..
Thomas says he is or was at the time
Of his visit to Havana looked upon bv
the Sp;Lniards as a man Of wonderful
| tact. and by the Cubans as n man trying
to discharge the difficult and delicate
duties OF his position with honesty and
! integrity. They regard him as the right
man. In the right place, and indeed, he
has found the sentiment general all over
TINS country as we'll. and an earnest de-
sire that tho President retain Genera i
Lee at his post. lie has obtained a
! standing there. The Spanish and the
| Cubans know him, know what kind OF n
| man he is, and what to expect OF him.
y new man could not be expected to
give like satisfaction and would re-
quire at least a year to establish himself
as Lee has done, il he ever could
The Spanish love Cleveland and Oh
ney in particular, but hate Americans in
general. . sslid the Doctor land thew
looked at u.s. when introduced as If they
would like to cut our throats But to O.
cuban, You are an American and the eff
rect Is just the opposite. The Cubaus
| look upon the Americans as their best
friends, and always welcome them cor
daily. #
II would not advise Americans to go
| there just now. What the Cuban army
needs is arms and ammunition It is
well fed and well clothed, but badly off
for equipment ! think the war viii be
brought to Il close soon, but you can't
TELL 1t depends upon what the Spanish
90. II they wont yield 1t may be pro-
tracted for years yet. Even If the insur-
gents had small arms, the most they
could procure cannon and gunboats in
into the big cities. where they would
stay indefinitely unless the Cubans
could procure cannon and gunboats III
someway."
The mass meeting will be held at old
First Baptist church OH Cumberland
street this evening ut S o'clock and to
IL all are requested to come Admission
is Tree and ladies are cordially invited.
Boys will not be admitted Those who
go will be entertained, interested ana
instructed.