The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-26

General Lees experience in Havana
must have been anything but pleasant
and his Southern blood must have been
made to Jingle on many occasions in wit
Messing Spanish cruelty towards the Gu
bans and Spanish indgnity towards
American citizens. General Lee is
soldier. cool-heaGed and courageous. We
believe that he went to Cuba unprejudiced
even if his sympathics were perhaps
with those who were seeking their lib
crty But throughout the trying ordeal
he has acted impartially and has deserved
the respect and admiration Of both side.
II it had been only a quarrel between
Spain and her coionists in which Ameri-
can citizens were not involved. we have
no doubt that General Lee would have
stood off and shifted the battle from afar.
as an impartial observer attending strict
ly TO the duties Of his office ana have
steered clear Of ontanelemcnts with cith-
or side lie is discreet In his actions and
utteranccs and IS as well qualified per-
/ haps. as any man I'm the United States 10
/ I'm position Of such responsibilities and
dclicacv. But when the Spaniards i'm
suited the American flag and brutaly
/ treated american men and women Fitz
/ Lee was not the man TO hold his peace.
The New York Herald's Havana cores
/ pendent, Mr. Stephen Bousal reviewed
/ the situation at length in yesterdays is
/ sue of that paper and paid high tri-
| butte to General Lee. lie SAYS that for
many months General Lee has satisfied
/ himself that the treaty rights of Amcri-
cans in Cuba were constantly violated by
/ the Spanish authorities. and that Lee has
placed the overwhelming proof before tho
/ State Department az Washington. That
/ General Lee because OF his loyalty 10
/ Mr.. Cleveland who appointed him. would
! have submitted in dignihcd silence TO the
situation so little to his liking and would
have served out his term without further
ado had IL not been for recent events. of
"a character so outrageous that silence
was 40 longer possible to a man of his
/ disposition.
IN the case Of Or. Ruiz. he notified the
Department that Ruiz was unlawfuly
detained and took the same steps in the
case of Scott hat no answer was received
from Washington. Then Ruiz was brut-
! ally murdered. and asan General Lee
made report 10 Washington. For three
days ne received no reply, and then Mrs
Scott called upon him and with tears en-
hes eyes told him Of the sufcrings and
torture TO which her husband was ex-
posed because Of the false accusations
against him. General Lee then decided
to act ior himself and demanded the
release Of Scott from Illegal restraint
lie Informed the Department Of The Gee
| mand he had made ana explained the
gravity OF the situation He asked thu
Department that warships be sent 20
Havana 10 sustain his lust demand. and
concluded by saving Il will not and can.
not have another Ruiz murder.
The correspondent adds that Genera.
Lee then placed his resignation in the
hands of the Department in Washington
and asked that it be accepted.
lie then concludes. "G.n. Lee has not
sprung an issue upon the Department.
lie has adopted the only course an honor
able man could take under the circum-
stances. lie has informed the people OF
the United States what is being done and