Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-01-11
The Present Pro-Spanish Policy Of
the Administration.
WHAT GEN. lee TOLD TIE PRESIDENT
Facts in His Report Were Kept
From the Public.
MR.. OLNEY ESTLESS s

The statement by Representative Money
| in his letter on the Cuban question that
Gen. Lee told Secretary Olney that he did
| not believe the Cuban rebellion could be
put down by the Spanish is supported by
| information here There appears to be no
| room for doubt that the message sent to
Congress by the President was not at all
consistent with the report made by Gen.
Lee on his visit to Washington for the
purpose of conference with the President
and Secretary of State. The President ap-
pears to have accepted only such of Gen.
Lees representation which suited his pol
| icy and to have ignored the more import
ant points. 1t was stated on excellent au-
thority soon after Gen. Lees arrival in
this country that his report would show
a state Of affairs in Cuba which would ex-
cite the Indignation of the people of the
United States. This was not verified, for
the very simple reason that the facts set
forth in the report were kept from the pub
| lie by Mr.. Cleveland.
What Lee Told the President.
1t is learned today from a very high
source, remote from any association with
Mr.. Moneys statement that Gen. Lee
while here expressed the opinion to Mr..
Olney and to the President that the re-
telion could not be put down. 1t is fur
ther stated that Mr.. Olney wanted to adopt
very different policy from that adhered
to by Mr.. Cleveland, and that if he could
have his way now the policy would be in
stantly changed to one of the utmost vigor
ard firmness. The present pro-Spanish
policy is spoken of by friends of Mr.. Olney
as MIR. Cleveland's own"
The most interesting statement made is
that General Lee was hurried back to Cuba
to prevent his being called before the Sen
MI too IN fnrn nfcry, v.o1oY
asserted that MIR. Cleveland had reasons
| to believe the committee intended to sum-
mon General Lee before them, and that
he thereupon hastened his departure for
Cuba. This prevented some very interest
ing information from passing into the pos
session Of the committee on foreign rela-
TORS.
Cleveland and Olney.
Whether there is any chance of Mr. Cleve-
land changing his attitude before the close
Of his term no one can tell. Mr.. Olney is
represented as being restless under the
prest mt conditions, and it is possible that
lack of frankness and responsiveness on
the part of Spain to Mr.. ClevelaEd's friend
ly 1ntercession in their behalf might lead
Mr.. Cleveland to relax the restraint on his
secretary Of State: This may account for
the letter said to have just been delivered
through Minister Taylor at Madrid ex-
pressing dissatisfaction with the reform
propositions made by Spain
Ihe matter has got into such shape in
Congress that the friends of Cuba do not
nope to accomplish anything there unless
some startling happening arouses the rank
and fle OF both houses to rise against all
opposition The friends of the Cameron
resolutions have been warned that the at
tempt to force its passage through the
Ser ate will jeopardZe the appropriation
bills, and that then it would not amount to
anything II the resolutions were adopted
there, since there is no possible chance of
vote in the House.