The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-02-27
Jingos Get 4 Preliminary
Snnb from One of Nc
Kinley's Official
Family.
NEW AMERICAN VICTIM
Says His Plantation Buildings
We're Burned ARRESTED for
Reyiling Spain.


preparatory to moving into the residence
occupied by his predecessor, Secretary
Lamont, as soon as he shall evacuate it
in an interview published this morning
says
SO far as the Cuban question is con-
cerned, which now seems to be occupy
gress, I could only express my private
opinion. Just at this time such ar
opinion, for the reasons I have given
might do harm; it could certainly do ne
good. I am willing, however, to be quot
ed as saying that in my judgment the
United States does not want war with
Spain or anybody else. We not only dc
not want war, but we want peace. By
that i mean We would be better off II
there were less of these sensational
heard a good deal lately. They only tend
to disturb business, and of all things that
Is what we wish to avoid.
Il can hardly foresee any condition
which should embroil our government in
war continued the General, "unless
some of our citizens should be wilfully
and wantonly wronged by some other
government, and then 1 should be in
favor of seeking prompt and sufficient re-
dress If it took every fighting man we
could raise to do it,
Turning from the Cuban question to
the threatening situation between Greece
and Turkey, he said:-'I was in Greece
about two years ago and spent censid-
cradle time there. I made a great many
inquiries about the country, the people
and their government. From all I could
learn Greece is about on her last legs
financially. also saw King George who
appeared to be a very manly matter-of-
fact, plain, every day sort of man. He
is just the sort of man and at the head
of the sort of government to go in for
a fight on slight provocation. He has
much to gain and little to lose by such
course
The Washington POST this morning
says
Mr.. Henry W. Mcdonnell, planter of
Point Clear. Ala. who owns a large
islauta ton In Cuba, fifteen miles from
Havana, arrived in Washington yesterday
morning direct from Cuba. where he says
he was subjected to a series of degrade
tions SO insulting to his republican man
hood and American citizenship that he
has come post haste to lay his case be-
fore the authorities of the State Depart
ment and demand immediate justice
Mr.. Mcdonnell is stopping at the Ma
tional Hotel. He called at the State
Department twice yesterday but was un-
able to see Secretary Olney, and he will
accordingly file written statement of
the outrage to which he was subjected.
He called last night upon his representa-
tive in Congress, Mr.. Jesse F. Stallings,
and laid his case before him, and with
his cooperation he Will make every eff
fort to have the wrongs inflicted on him
while in Cuba investigated
Mr.. Mcdonnell several months ago re-
ceived information at his home at Point
Clear that his plantation in Cuba was
being rayaged by the Spanish soldiers,
and that unless it was cultivated by
4 spring 1t would be confiscated by the
& Grown. He had left. the management of
Cuba, who since the revolution have been
unable to cultivate 1T. He accordingly
sailed for Cuba on February 2 from Key
landing in the shadow of Morro Castle.
On the steamer he made the
Hopkins, who was representing the New
Orleans Times-Democrat He did not
know at the time that Hopkins was a
newspaper man, or the stories he had
porfers IN Cuba would have served as a
barrier to further intercourse. However,
ne became very intimate with Hopkins
and upon landing the two spent the first
/ day together in Havana.
Mr. Mcdonnell had his passport from
the State Department, duly signed by
Richard Olney, and numbered Is, ,528 SO
that he deemed himself perfectly safe.
On the first day of his arrival, accom-
panied by Hopkins. he rode fifteen miles
INTO the country, to his plantation.
remained standing all of the expensive
machinery had been mufilated or carted
away and not soul was to be seen any
says he refused an offer of $4,000 for the
plantation. Now he says he could not
get 300 for the property, and he does
not expect to get ascent out Of 1t for the
next ten years
On his return to Havana, after wit
Messing the destruction caused by the
spanish soldiers, he Indulged in some un-
+ complimentary remarks about the Span
ish Government, These remarks were
uttered publicly, with characteristic
American frankness and came to the
hours Mcdonnell says, he was arrested
and brought before the General charged
with nothing In particular. Hopkins was
brought before Weyler until later. when
island.
Mr. Mcdonnell demanded at onca that
Consul General Lee be sent for. and
Weyler finally consented. General Lee
appeared, after Mcdonnell had been held
a prisoner for several hours and de-
manded McDonnelPs release In reply 10
McDonnelFs claim that he was an Amer
lean citizen in Cuba to look after his
property. Weyler retofted that ii would
be to his interest to attend strictly to his
private affairs without regard to Spain.
and that he had better be careful wnat
sentiments he uttered.
Mr.. Mcdonnell says he then exhibited
his passport and demanded instant re-
lease. As he describes 1t, Weyler took
E the paper gingerly, looked over it an in
stant, and in the presence of Consul Cen
contempt and exclaimed that it was ef
no Importance and had no bearing in
the case. General Lee protested and de-
manded an apology, which Weyler re-
fused Mr.. Mcdonnell rescued his pass
port and again demanded his release,
saying that it was an insult to the Unit
ed States to have her seal flung under
foot in that manner. Weyler made sew
era1 insulting remarks to the effect that
all Americans had better remain at home
and finally consented to set Mr. McDon-
nell at liberty, but added that he would
be constantly watched while in Havana
On FEBRUARY l6 Mr.. Mcdonnell left
f7sained there he WAS constantly under
4uafd Of Spanish soldier who fol-
16Wed him everywhere. In every way he
Was made to understand that he had
hoter return home. GA the streets be