The San Francisco call., 1898-08-16
LIE SPEAKS OF
 CUBA'S FUTURE Great Resources Will Be
 Developed. REFORMS TO BE ADOPTED CIVIL RULE SOON TO DISPLACE
 THE MILITARY. Former Consul General in Consulta- tion with the President and Secretary Alger Regard
 ing the Island.
CIVIL RULE SOON TO DISPLACE
 THE MILITARY.
Special Dispatch to The can.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.- Major General Fitzhugh Lee, in command of the Seventh Army Corps at Jackson vile. was in conference to-day with the President and the War Department. He came here on special telegraphic summons from Secretary Alger, and it was with the latter that he conferred for an hour with the President It is generally expected that General Lee will head the military commission which will adjust affairs in Cuba, and also he has been strongly urged for the Governorship of that island after the functions of the commission cease. On both of these points, however, General Lee asserts he knows nothing. He ad- mitted, however, that he had been talk ing over matters in Cuba generally. Then he added:
 "The first work which will have to be done in Cuba will be to make ar engagements by which all the munich pal machinery can be put into operation in all the towns, and governmental ma chinery throughout the island. There will have to be military control l sup pose, until such time as the people 1n- terested can organize and put into ope- ration a government which should be stable and strong enough to impartial ly protect the interests of Span1ardS. Americans, Cubans and the people or all other natiOnalitieS now on the 1S- land. or who may hereafter go there.
 "Is there probability of Spanish 1n- terests suffering through the Cubans?"
 "The Spanish property holders, mer- chants and all other classes of span iards naturally would unite with all the rest of the conservative inhI bitants for the preservation of the interests of alt the citizens, and I think they will help the natives and the Americans to ma1n- tain a strong, safe government This would be natural for no class of peo- ple would be more interested than they are in maintaining property and all other rights. The most difficult prob lem to solve is the first organization of a preliminary form of government, as later the island will be very rapidly Americanized, and all such questions will take care of themselves.
 'As to the probability of the Cubans attaining a stable government, l pre- sume that as soon as possible procla- nation will be issued setting apart a date for the holding of a general elec- tion for chief executive of the island and for legislative body to which all matters affecting the future of the isl | and will be referred. This executive body probably will adopt constitution
 
 operation the political form of govern ment.
 AS to the army of occupation which will be necessary to maintain our posi-
 tion with respect to Cuba, 45,OO0 men will be ample to garrison the whole isl- | and Of this number possibly 25,00O would be stationed in and about Hav- ana MatanzaS would be the next inn
 portant point for a garrison. Other points should be regulated by the pos abilities of disorder that might take place there, and the number of troops at the various points will naturally be governed by circumstances.
 Properly directed Cuba will have a great commercial future. It's unbound ed and great resources will be very
 rapidly developed by American push, vigor and capital"
 General Lee says he has no plans
 beyond going back to Jacksonville to resume command of the Seventh Army Corps. He will leave for that point Wednesday.