The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-04-14
LEE DELAYED MESSAGE.
Alarming News From Havana Caused
President to Change His Plan.
MASSACRE OF AMERICANS FEARED

gent Request President Mckinley
Decided to Hold Back His Communi-
cation-The Policy Approved by Lead
ers In Congress-Exodus From Havana.
WASHINGTON, D. c. (SpeciaD Alarming
Lee upset the Presidents plan to send to
Congress his message on the Cuban ques-
ton Wednesday afternoon. General Lee
represented condition OF affairs in Havana
that caused the President grave concern,
and on the direct statement OF the Consul
General that the lives OF many Americans
were In jeopardy and might be sacrificed
by rabid Spanish partisans IL the message
was made public before they left the Cuban
capital, It was determined to withhold the
important communication until definite
Information had been received that all
Americans were out Of the perturbed ISL
and.
According to several dispatches from
General Lee, the Havana volunteers, all un-
compromising supporters Of Weyler and op-
ponents Of the Blanco government, had
taken possession OF the streets and were
attempting to fncite a riot against Ameri-
cans 1.-TWO thousand American refugees
were in Havana. Gener Lee said, waiting
for steamers to take them to the United
States. Others were coming in from in
tsrior towns and the country districts. Gen
erai Lee feared an outbreak. and appealed
to the President not to take any action that
would perhaps cause massacre Of helpless
citizens OF this Government.
The President sent Immediately to the
Capitol for Messrs. Davis, Frye and Lodge,
OF the Senate Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions; Representativ Dingley and Can
non, the Republican leaders Of the House:
Representative Adams, the acting Chair
man Of the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs; Representative Sayers, one OF the
Democratic leaders OF The House; Repre-
sentative Hopkins. the leader OF the House
Republicans who had announced their dis
satisfaction with the delay in taking action
on the Cuban question. and Representa-
tives Berry, Dinsmore and Nswlands. men,
bers Of the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs. All these contingents came Sept
rately and In the order named. To each
the telegram from General Lee, saying he
would not be responsible for the lives ofthe
Americans IL the message was transmitted,
was shown. The President told the dele
cations that he would not forward his mes
sage until General Lee had sent word
that all Americans were safely away
from Cuba. The reference to responsible
ty contained In General Lees dispatch
was cited by the President, who applied it
to Congress. The Executive would not BIZ
responsible for the American citizens In
Cuba. he declared, II Congress insisted on
taking action on the Cuban message at
once. These statements OF the President
had their effect, and the various deleGa-
tions returned to the Capitol after assuring
President Mckinley that nothing would
be done in Congress until General Lee had
sent his assurances that all Americans were
safely out OF the island.
When this understanding for delay was
reached the joint committee hurried back
to the Capitol. Chairman Davis, OF the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
moved an executive session, and the gal-
leries wers cleared Of the tremendous
throng waiting to hear the first blast on
acquainted with the condition OF affairs.
In the House the news from the White
House was impaired. but no mention
was made OF 1t in the proceedings. Criti-
cism aad even suspicion was provoked by
the announcement Of the propos ed delay.
There was 50 much restlessness In Congress
circles over the Cuban complications that
tho Presidents sincerity Of purpose had
to be made plain. On the assurance of
men like Dingley, Adams, Sayers and
Cannon the House agreed to wait. The
Senate accepted with little question the
statements made by Messrs. DAVIS, Aldrich
and Lodge.
After reaching his decision to, postpone
the time OF placing the. Cuban matter be-
fore Congress, President Mckinley tele-
graphed Lee Of his decision and that the
message would be sent to both Honses just
as soon as General Lee telegrapbsd that all
Americans were out OF Cuba. Directions
were also sent to General Lee not to abide
by tho regulations for the Government OF
passenger steamers, but to load every ves-
sci from hold to topmost deck with Ameri-
cans and to expedite their departure from
Havana.
70 hasten the Homecoming OF the Amer
leans in Cuba. the Navy Department ar
ranged that the Mascotte should not finish
her full trip, but return from Key West to
Cuba, and that the Olivette, OF the same
line, now partially disabled and offservice.
should also go across from Key West to
Havana to take on her share OF passengers.
With the Fern, the Bache and the Man
grove also lying in Havana harbor, it was ex-
pected that all the Americans assembled
under General Lees protection would find
themselves speedily under way for Florida.
1t may be added that under orders simi-
lar to those sent to the American repre-
sentatives in Cuba, the working stan OF
the United States Legation ut Madrid
started for Paris, leaving Minister Wood
ford alone at the Spanish capital.