The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-11
THEY KISSED Al LEE.
The Spapiards on Shore Jeercd Him rs
He Left Havana on the Fern.


He Left Havana on the Fern,
Key West, Fla, April 10.-"Tell the
olFette to get under way at once, Cap
tain CowleS: signal the Bache that the
United States fleet is ready to clear
out Of Havana, and please follow the
Bache out"
These were the words of Consul Gen
eral Lee at 5:1J yesterday afternoon, as
he stood OH the poop of the Fern with
Il group of correspondents around him.
1t was evident to all that General Lee
intended to be the last to leave, and
a murmur of applause went around in
support of his intention. The Evelyn
had already passed Morro Castle when
the 0livctte weighed anchor. The
Bache was close behind, and the Fern
was the last of the line. The wharves
and boats on both sides of the marrow
entrance to the harbor were crowded
with Spaniards, who htssed and jeered
uS each boat passed out.
AS the Fern rounded TO, heading for
the open sea, she PASSED n1.ar the
Maine wreck. The group on deck had
been laughing and talking, expressing
their satisfaction at leaving Havana.
With one accord each man dOffed his
hat in salute to the brave dead, while
silence fell on all for the space of seve-
raj minutes. General Lee being on
board the Fern made that boat target
for redoubled misses, groans, catcallS
and whistles from the crowds on shore.
''Get out, Yankees, swine" were
among the mildcst expressions used.
This seemed to strike every one on
board as ludicrous. Vice Consul Sprin-
ger who had been in the island thirts
years. waved his hand to particularly
abusive group, saying in tones loud
enough for all to hear, wait, wait, my
friends. we shall all be back soon."
There was one pretty incident. On
the CabanaS shore British steame,
was unloading Mt her wharf As the
Fern passed the Union Jack was dipped
while the English crew gave Il hearty
cheer. 1t is needless TO say that thu
leDmpliment was returned with all pOssi-
fble gusto.
HAVANA SEEMED DAIED.
Havana seemed dazed yesterday when
the people found that General Lee was
really going and that all the Americans
were going with him. Not to see the
United States flag fioating from the
staff at Casa Nuevo. struck many resi-
ldents as little less than a calamity. The
correspondents were beseiged with eager
Questions as to the intentions of the
Americans and when the fleet eXpec-
ted a bombardment was likely to com
meace. The government officials seemed
as much at a loss as all the rest. \
Spanish officer of high rank besougm
a correspondent to tell him if he had
any news not made public and affecting
the future Of the city.
The fact th5t Mr.. Gollan, the British
Consul. called with General Lee Oh
| Captain General Blanco. also puzzled
many. some believing that this meant
an English alliance had been settled
TIE truth is that the Havana ncwspa-
pers have been under such cl0gs Surveii-
lance for months. have been made to
publish so many untruths and have
printed so many tales of the United
States backing down at the demand
of Germany. Italy. Austria and Rus
Sia. that the residents take no stock
whatever in anything published. Con
sequently when they saw the Americans
leaving. despite the statements Of the
papers that they had no intention of
going. the people believed II crisis was
ut hand.
Under instructions from General Lee,
who went on board the Fern imme-
diately after his farewell call on Cap.
tain General BancO, the consular peO-
pie and the correspondents went quietly
on board in twos and thrces. No onr
was molested or insulted, but the peo-
ple stared clwiously rs the newspaper
men, to whose presence all had grown
accustomed, rode down to the dock with
their grips, canes and other hand bag
gage. showing their intention to de-
part. In fact, Havana was kinder than
the ocean outside. All arrived at Key
West to-day in II state of wreck. Every
body was sick. Even the naval men did
not escape From the crowded decks
Of the Olivette hearty cheers went up
as the launch from the Fern with the
correspondents and consular agents on
board put ashore. Several hundred per-
sons on the dock added their shouts
to this lusty welcome and for some
hours stayed. gazing at the Fern, on
which General Lee could be seen pacing
the deck. At about II o'clock General
Lee came ashore and received an an
swer from Washington to his request for
orders sent earlier After a brief re-
reptiOn. General Lee went on board the
OIivette. which had been kept waiting.
and sailed for Tampa at noon. He will
90 direct to Washington. Nineteen refu-
gees were landed from the Bache and
100 from the Evelyn.
CLARA BARTON ARRIVES.