The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-30
PROTEAN MIR, FI5HBACE,
How Many Horses Is He Riding on His mis-.
sion TO Cubni

Contradictory reports have been circulated
about Mr.. George W. Fishback and his latest
trip TO Cuba. He is the person who went TO that
island as the secretary OF Mr.. Calhoun when
that gentleman investigated the death OF tho
American citizen. Or. Ruiz. Now Fishback 10
in Cuba again. shroudcd in mystery.
Two weeks ego n newspaper despatch from
Havana said that Consul.tieneral Lee was going
10 visit all tho American consulates In Cuba,
taking Mr.. Ftahback with him as secretary.
The despatch WA regarded as plausible by
many persons hero. Before Fishback left New
York lmore or less mysteriously. for his name
was not on the steamers passenger list) he
hin'ed to some persons and declared outright
to others that a very important and secret mis-
sion had been intrusted to him by the Washing.
ton authorities.
Then came q further report from Havana to
the eject that Mr.. Fishback's presence thero
was obnoxious 10 the thick and thin Spaniard s.
Close on tho heels OF this discovery came
further tidings from Havana OF a nature to de-
tract from Mr.. Fishback's Importance.
Copies Of La Lurha were received here which
asserted that Fshback was merely a CORE
spondent OF an American newspaper. This news
was sad. II true. for not a few Cuban sympa.
thizers had pinned their faith to Fishback, and
thought that his secret mission " was going to
result in great thing, for Cuba.
- - - IcppTlrI NlIc lhsl evening on oenOr
who lives at l+6 wes,, slxty-fourth street. ~
am emaZsd," he said. TO read in La Lucha
that Mr.. Fishback is back in Cuba In no official
capacity. Why, heard myself. from Mr.. Fish
back y own lips. that he WAS going to Cuba for
the American Government to inspect the Amcri-
can Consulntcs there, and he expected by this
means to learn the real situation in the six
provinces and report what he learned to tho
President"
Another E"ntlemen. who for twelve years held
in Havana one OF the most prominent business
IDSltlDnS. Pnln' - AN THullN nHtnnlSlRl and |
do not bcliey9 what La Lncha says. Why; I
which he left. His mysterious air. his solemn
assurances that nobody in New York knew Of
name on the passenger list, and the Trustworthy
source from which | learned that he was going
to Cubs upon a most important political mis-.
declaration that he is there as n reporter"
Another queer despatch from Haynna was
printed yesterday. Consul General Lee. ii is
pany him to inspect tho American Consulates,
because he has NOT. exhibited amy credentials
from Washington. How could Fishback be 80
carelessi Tn" despatch goes on to say that the
Havana newspa pers severely comment upon the
fact that Mr.. Fishback, though only a newspaper
reporter. has a desk In the office of the American
alacrity by n clerk whose SALARY is paid by the
American GoVcrnment. All these contradictory
reports VIII tend 10 muddlc still further the cX-
cellent Cnbrn gentlemen IN New York who were
ready to bet their bottom dollar on Fishbn1k.
The despatch aforesaid then proceeds TO In
yolve the situation IN further doubt by dcclar,
ing that Mr.. Ftshback Is seeking n concession ia
exploit some mines in Cuba AZ the representa-
tiye Of a mining syndicate. lie Is seeking for a
IL anybody is able to unravel these compiled,
tions and define tho real quality OF Mr.; Fish
back, now IL his opportunity. ~ he . diplomat
2 o special Ct len Go ESr N KIon sFSH'' h 1nE pTiV or s s nSws.
functions at oncei who is FishbAck, anyway