Arizona republican., 1897-11-20
Why Consul -General Lee WaSi
 Returned to Havana
CUBANS WARY OF SPAIN
Will Negotiate Only Through
 the United States
Annual Report of the Secretary of Agriculture-What was Paid for the Products of Other Lands Within the Last Year.

president to perform a most delicate mission, scarcely second to that of Gen. WoCdford. When he came to this country on leave few weeks ago he did so with the full expectation of remaining here. He thought, as did many others, that his resignation would be accepted. EX-Congressman Aldrich of Chicago came to Washing ton in the belief that he was to sue ceed Gen. Lee. After several confer ences the president outlined his pol icy and asked Gen. Lee to return to Havana and help him carry it cut. Gen. Lee consented. The next four or five months will constitute a cr.ti- cal period in Cuba It must be deter mined within that time whether the political reforms, the so-called auton- omy, can be carried into effect and the insurrection can be brought to an end. The president was informed by Gen. Lee that there was no prob ability that the insurgents can be conquered, or that force of arms wi bring peace. He is inclined to accept this as the correct view.
 So much being taken for granted, the president believes overtIres must shortly be made by the Spanish gov ernment to the insurgents The lat ter will not trust themselves directly in the power of the Spaniards If they treat at all it will be through third party-the United States. The president looks forward to the time, within few weeks, when this govern ment will be asked to be the medium negotiations will be between Spain and the insurgents. Gen. Lee is believed to be the man to represent the United States i'm such delicate capacity. That is why he was asked to go back to Cuba by the admrnistra ion His firmness has commanded the respect : -of the Spaniards. More than any other American he possesses the con- fidence of the insurgent leaders.
 The policy of dhe admin; stra ion will be to act promptly on any sug- gestfon from either side to open ne gotiations looking to peace Gen. Lees instructions are to encourage the consideration Of autonomy by the insurgent leaders, if there shall appear any indication to end the war on such basis. The United States is to stand ready to help on the ne gotiations ,and Gen. Lee is to repre- sent thiS country as the intermediary with the insurgents if the way opens. With the feeling that he might be of signal service to the Cubans as well as to his own country, Gen. Lee changed his plans and went back MT. Aldrich readily saw that the situation was likely to be such as would de mand the experience and the conf dence which Gen. Lee possessed, and which an entirely new officer of the government could not have. He ap- preciated the wisdom of the admin istradion in retaining Gen Lee as soon as the reasons were explained to him.
 It may be added that when the time comes, if it does come at all, for this country to exercise it's good offices between the Spanish authorities and the insurgents, no attention will bs paid to the junta or any other Cuban organization in this country. The negotiations vii be between Spain and the armed insurgents in Cuba. They will be conducted in Cuba. Gen. Let will be in communication with tn. island
 In his annual report Secretary Will son of the department of agriculture devotes considerable attention to pos sibilities in new industries. Sever tons of imported sugar beet seed were distributed last spring in twen ty-seven states, among 22,O0O farmers through the experiment stations O those states, to ascertain where tn sweetest beets can be produced. Sam pies are now being analysed at tn experiment stations, and where the, are not prepared to do the work tn beets are forwarded to the qaborator- of the department at Washington.
 There is abundant encourage ment, the secretary says, ito lead u to conclude that our country vii within few years, produce what sug ar it requires. The department vii
 collect all the facts regarding tn work of this season and publish thel for general distribution. The pic neer work will be pushed energetic ally during the next year.
 '"The United States paid 1882, ,0O0 900 the last fiscal year for suga
 hides, fruits, wines, animals, rio