The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-14
THE CUBAN SITUATION
AFFAIRS ON THE ISLAND REVIEWED
BY CONSUL GENERAL LEE.
Verbal Statement to Secretary Sher-
man-President McKinIey's Note to
the Spanish Government.


Lee had an extended conference at the
State Department to-day with Secretary
Sherman and Judge Day assistant secre-
tary of state, during which the entire
range of Cuban affairs was gone over. The
consul general submitted no written report,
but gave a verbal statement on the numer-
Gus questions which have arisen in connec-
ton with the insurrection. Secretary Sher-
man desired that General Lee should see
the President when he arrived tonight. 1t
was felt, however, that the President would
be fatigued with his journey and would not
care to take up Cuban affairs Immediately
after his arrival. For this reason it was
arranged that General Lee should proceed
to Virginia and visit his family holding
himself in readiness to return on a tele-
graphic order when it was convenient for
the President to see him. He left later in
the day for the Intermount Hotel, at Gov
ington, Va, where Mrs. Lee is spending
the summer
All parties declined positively to say any,
thing as to to-day's conference but it is
learned that it developed new or start
ling phases or the Cuban situation, but was
rather in the nature of a general review of
the entire situation up to the time General
Lee left the island. He was able to pre-
talk than through the medium of official
communications which he has sent from
time to time. The subjects covered in
cluded the condition of the Competitor pris-
oners and other Americans held in Span
ish prisons, the disposition of the fund of
$4,000 appropriated by Congress for the re-
lief of Americans destitute on the island;
the present status of the rebellion, recent
hostilities, etc. One of General Lees staff
visited the Competitor prisoners the Satur-
day before the consul general left for
Washington, and reported that Ona Melton
and others were in fairly good condition.
The prevailing sickness on the island was
touched on. Both yellow fever and small
poX are carrying OFF many victims at Ha-
Vana and through the interior, and the
week before General Lee left there were
thirty deaths from yellow fever at Havana,
of which the far greater number was
among troops.
AS to whether General Lee will return to
Cuba, no definite information could be Sc
cured. 1t is said to depend much ON cir
cumstanceS which have not developed, and
it is probable that neither the consul gen
eral nor the officials are as yet certain con-
corning his future movements. AS the Cab
met meeting will be held tomorrow, it is
thought probable that General Lee will not
be called to Washington until Wednesday
or later.
The New York Herald's correspondent,
speaking of the note which Minister Wood
Cabinet meeting here on Tuesday will de-
eide whether or not the contents of the note
Shall be given to the public Immediately
after it's presentation to the Madrid govern
ment, or whether it shall be held to await
the reply of Spain. Should the communica-
ton appear in a fragmentary way several
of the Presidents advisers favor immediate
publication in case no good reasons appear
for taking a contrary course The note
which Mr.. Woodford is to present to the
Spanish government was prepared by Pres
ident Mckinley and Assistant Secretary of
State Day, and read to the full Cabinet. Its
chief significance is that the United States
asks to be considered party TO the settle
ment of the Cuban question. The long con-
tinuance of the war in Cuba, the destruc-
ton of property, of commerce, the manner
in which the interests of the United States
have suffered, the large number of Ameri-
and expense caused the United States gov
eminent in maintaining its attitude as a
friendly power, and, above all, the distress
inflicted upon hundreds of thousands of
peaceful people, are given reasons why
the United States takes this step. Mention
is made of the large number of claims of
American citizens against Spain and Presi-
dent ClevelandS warning in his last annual
message that unless better conditions were
soon to come in Cuba it would be neces-
sary for the United States to interfere in
behalf of commerce and humanity, is cited
the note expressing the Presidents great
desire to continue the friendly relations be-
tween the two nations and his hope that
Spain will accept the aid of the United
States in bringing the to end.
The President expresses hi willingness to
cooperate with the Spanish government in
every proper way in restoring peace.