The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-13
Cuban Government Too Unstable
for Recognition.
SPANIARD BLEW Up MAINE
BIanCO Not a Party to the Das-
tardIy Plot.

Washington. April 12.-Gen. Fitzhugh
Lees appearance before the committee on
foreign relations had a good effect upon
the committee, and his personal experience
and observation in Havana united the
committee in favor of prompt Intervention
of a mandatory nature.
He told the committee in graphic style
the story of his career in Havana during
the past few years, and in his description
of the destruction of the Maine, while it
contained nothing outside of the official
report, he gave his impression of the dis
aster and the report and gossip of Havana,
which the court of inquiry could not re-
gard as admissible testimony.
Gen. Lee brought out one very important
feature in his statement before the COM
mittee, and that was the instability of the
present Cuban republic. He is not in favor
of recognizing the independence of the ex-
isting Cuban government, but he believes
if the United States intervenes by force
and drives the Spaniards from the island
a satisfactory government can be estab-
lished and maintained. On this point, Gen.
Lee was very emphatic, and his statement
made a profound impression upon the
members of the committee. In view of his
advice on the subject of Independence the
committee will not provide for the recog-
milton OF the Cuban republic in its report TO
be submitted tomorrow.
Gen. Lee did not throw any additional
light upon the Maine disaster, although
some of the circumstances he related Gre
ated a strong sentiment in favor of inn
mediate action against the perpetrators
OF that dastardly crime.
He said that IN his opinion there was
no room to doubt that the destruction of
the vessel was due to Spanish agencies.
do yop mean that Spanish authorities
in Cuba?" he was asked by member Of
the committee
Il mean the Spanish officials he re-
plied, "but not Gen. Blanco l think some
of the officials were cognizant of the plans
to destroy the vessel, but l do not believe
that the captain general was
Gen. Lee informed the committee Of the
weakness of the Spanish defense In Cuba,
and intimated that Havana would fall
easy prey to an attack from the American
feet. He said that the entrance to Ha-
CefN@N-~t
with torpedoes which can be fired from
either shore. but beyond the entrance to
the harbor the defenses are weak. He
said he is anxious to return TO Havana, not
as consul general, but as an officer I'm the
limited states army This patriotic utter
ance caused considerable enthusiasm
among the members of the usually digni-
fled group of senators, and the committee
unanimously agreed that Gen. Lee should
arr1fc a major general
and ordered to duty in Cuba in the event Of
war.
Cen. Lee was asked if there was any
foundation for the report that he had
stated that a diver discovered mine under
the limited States steamer Montgomery
when the latter vessel was sent to Havana
TO relieve the Fern. He denied having made
any such statement, but informed the
committee how easy It was to hear all
kinds of sensational reports in Havana
during the past six weeks.
II was 3 O'clock when Gen. Lee arrived
al The Senate wing of the capitol. He
reached the Senate from his hotel in good
old Democratic STYLE taking a fve-cen,
ride in street car,
Several hundred people were assembled
in the corridor outside of the room of the
committee on foreign relations when he
arrived. He was greeted with a burst OF
aDDlduSes NtiiCi Alc SAeA|Apu9iy hthiOWl-
edged by raising his hat and bowling to
right and left number of enthusiasts
rushed forward and grasped his hand ana
shouted, "Whats the matter with Fitz
Lee?' He's all right"
Gen. Lee was not averse to the demon.
stration, and he fingered outside the COM
mittee room door receiving the ovation,
while the members OF the committee could
be seen through the door standing ready
to welcome him.