The times., 1898-05-12
WOULD FIGHT IN THE RANKS
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee Only Desires
TO Serve His Country.
HAS NOT RECEIVED HIS ORDERS
The President Has Not Yet Intimaf-
ed Where or When Gen. Lee Shall
Eegin Active Seryice-He Is Ready
TO Accept UnquestiOningIy What
ever Orders Come.

The following interview was granted to
The Times yesterday by Major Gen. Lee:
rs there any truth in the story that
you are going to have a desk near that
of Secretary Alger in the War Depart
ment until Cuba is occupied. and that
you are then to be made the dictator or
military governor of the island until such
time as the Insurgents have established
a stable form of government. under the
supervision of the United States?" was
asked.
II have heard nothing of it," was the
reply, spoken slowly and with the en-
phasis which attaches to truthful state
ment Then Gen. Lee added: Il do not
yet know what they are going TO do with
me. Gen. Miles has been ordered to re-
main in Washington, / hear Well. the
President is the commander-in-chief of
the Army and Navy of the United States,
and he knows his business"
You do not know. then. when you will
be sent to the front?"
Il do not-they have told me nothing
about it, / am awaiting orders just the
same IS any soldier in the ranks-where.
by the way, 1 would just as soon fight as
anywhere else My services are at the
tAlstlfSSstl Vi the AItNEIIiEt anu II NeiH
do what il pleases with me
DO you think that we should hold the
PhilipD;nes?'
by an means. They are ours by right
of conquest. and we must hold them.
They are ours by right"
Painful Experience in Cuba.
"Ycu must have seen some trying times
during your stay in Cuba was remarked,
tentatively.
Yes. ] didri There was a world of
sadness in the words. For over two
years I had the daily strain. or whatever
you call il. of knowing that / was among
fiends who would not hesitate to take
my life if they We're not watched care
fully. l saw scenes which viii not leave
my mind try rs / viii TO forget them.
ard | am determined to DO whatever L
can TO rescue those helpless beings from
their plight
DO you think that the Cubans are en-
tireiy capable of governing themselves
That is something l cannot talk aboui.
You will have to pardon me, he said
cOurteously.
Then you do not think that they really
are able TO look after themselves
You must excuse me-.
Il was evtdent-that Gen. Lee would not
commit himself on the subject
But they have some very able men in
their government. as it now exists, have
they not?"
"Oh, yes, Able and vigorous minded
why could they not select only such
men as these 10 take the leading places
in their new republic, after the United
Safes has recognized it?"
II suppose they viii do So was the
cautious reply.
There is a strong sentiment of love
for you in the hearts OF the American
people General suppose you are aware
of it?-'
Yes, I know they believe I did my
duty" was the simple reply. Then he
added: They are very kind"
DO ! understand, then. General that
you would not accept the dictatorship,
practically. of Cuba until a stable form
of government such as referred to by the
President and by the Congress- is es-
tabished?"
Il viii do whatever the President di-
reefs ME TO do
-'One thing more, General-have you re-
ceived definite orders as TO when you are
to proceed to Cuba for active duty at the
'front.'"
No. sir, I have not"