Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-13
Consul General Lee Confers With
State Department officials.
CONDITION OF AFFAIRS REVIEWED
No Significance in His Visit at This
Time.
HAS GONE TO VIRGINI

assistant secretary of state, during which
the entire range of Cuban affairs was gone
over The consul general submitted no
written report but made verbal state
ment in regard to the numerous questions
which have arisen in connection with the
insurrection- Secretary Sherman desired
that General Lee should see the President
who is expected back tonight. 1t was felt
however, that the President would be
fatigued with his journey. and would not
care to take up Cuban affairs after his ar
rival tonight. The cabinet meeting was
likely to occupy his attention tomorrow
For these reasons 1t arranged that
General Lee should proceed to Virginia
ami visit his family, holding himself in
readiness to return on a telegraphic order
WREN it was convenient for the President
to see him. General Lee accordingly left
here this afternoon for Covington, Va.
near the Hot Springs. where Mrs. Lee and
daughter and a son are spending the sum
the conference at the State Department
began shortly after 10 o'clock, and lasted
a full hour and a half. General Lee first
called Judge Day, and, accompanied by
him. went to the Secretary's office.
All parties concerned declined afterward
to say anything as to the subjects dis
cussed- 1t is learned. however. that it de-
ve!oped no new or startling phases of the
Cuban situation, but was rather in the
nature of a general review of the entire
situation up to the time Gen. Lee left the
island. He was able to present this mat
ter much better through personal talk
than through the medium of official COM
munications, such as he has sent from time
to time
Subjects Discussed.
The subjects covered included the condi-
tion of the Competitor prisoners and other
Americans held in Spanish prisons; the dis
position of the fund of 10000 appropriated
by Congress for the relief of Americans
destitute on the island; the present status
of the rebellion, recent hostillities etc. One
of Gen. Lees staff visited the Connection
prisoners the Saturday before the consul
general left for Washington, and reported
that Ona Melton and the others were in
fairly good condition; Their case is at
present sub judice.'' a legal condition
which prevents anything being done until
further advance is made.
Aside from these larger questions, the
interrogatories of Secretary Sherman and
Assistant Secretary Day led to general
discussion of all the recent DEVELOPMENTS
on the island The prevailing sickness on
the isl1ni was touched upon. Both yellow
fever and smallpox are carrying off many
soliiers and citizens at Havana and
throughout the interior, and the week be-
fore Gen Lee left there were thirty deaths
from Yellow fever al Havana of which
by far the greater number was among
the troops. This is the wet season in Gu
ba. with alternate periods OF rain and ex-
treme eat, filling the air with miasma
AMI carrying death among those unaccus-
TONED TO the climate.
Gen. Lee. Return to Cuba.
Concerning Gen. Lees return to Cuba
no definite Information could be secured.
1t is said to depend much on circumstances
which have not yet fully developed and
IL IS probable that neither the consul gen
eral or the officials yet certain con-
corning his future movements. AS the cab
net meeting will be held tomorrow it is
thought probable that Gen. Lee Will not be
called hack to Washington before We'd
nesd1y at the earliest.
Assistant Secretary Day says there is no
SPECIAL significance in Gen. Lees presence
IN tins country at this time. He asked for
le9ve Of absence and it was granted him.
He came home of his own volition. and
so Tar as known. not in consequence of any
important Developments in The situation in
Cuba.
Although no one in authority will say so.
the impression is strong that Gen. Lee will
rot return 20 Cuba. and that cx-Represan-
tatlve Aldrich will succeed to his duties at
Havana early in October after the close of
the yellow fever season.
The General In Excellent Spirits.
Gen Lee says he is in excellent health,
and that one of the principal reasons for
his home coming was to his wife and
family. He looks strong and rugged. and
seems to have taken on flesh The ONLY
other noticeable change in his appearance
is due to the removal of the imperial which
was formerly one of his distinguishing
features. He to be in excellent
spirits. ard, although he would not Givulge
any state secrets to the newspaper men
who dogged his footsteps during the day
he treated them all with kindly consid-
Grafton. When closely pressed for informa-
tion on topics he did not care to discuss
he would shrug his broad shoulders and
say. with an engaging smile. No puedo de
cia, remarkins significantly at the same
time that that was Spanish for II am un-
4l.t IL. IL
preston when asked if he was likely to
return to Havana or how he thought the
struggle in Cuba would terminate and
when
Presentation of Minister WoodfOrd.
Omcials at the State Department say that
there is nc reason to expect any important
news from San Sebastian today in conse-
quence of the presentation of Minister
Woodford 10 the queen regent. 1t was ex-
planned that that was a purely formal
function. and that Minister WoodforG
would hardly consider i; the time or place
TO bring up matters of business. The ar
ranSement for the minister's reception by
the queen at San Sebastian in advance OF
the return of the court TO Madrid Is de-
ciarCd 10 be an act of especial courtesy to
the | nited States 1t is said to be the first
time that a foreign minister has been Off,
cially received AT San Sebastian, and sew
erai cases are cited where the diplomatic
representatives of foreign governments
have been denied tha: privilege
In accordance with diplomatic rules AMI
usages. il is expected that Minister Wood
ford will deliver a purely formal address
20 the queen, containing the usual express
sions of friendship and esteem. and will re-
serve all matters of business for future
communication 10 the Duke of Tetuan the
minister of state for foreign affairs.
Minister Woodford is vested with con-
siderable discretion in the execution Of his
instructions. especially the matter of
time, but there is reason for the belief that
there will be no great delay n :he official
communication of the Presidents desire
for the speedy termination of hostilities in
Cuba and the amelioration of the deplorable
conditions the islands.
Although the officials of the State Depart
ment are silent on the subject, il is pretty
well understood in diplomatic circles that
Minister woodford's instructions involve no
important change in the policy OF the
United States In regard to the Cuban ques-
ton and are not likely to cause any sever
ance Of the diplomatic relations between