The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-12

ported. Speaking TO me about possible
hostilities. General Lee said:
II believe il is my duty that should
be allowed to lead the first division on,
Havana. If ] do please say for me that
j know how to take the city"
1T was reported here tonight that Gen
era Lee will place before the authori-
ties when he reaches Washington proof
that General Weyler had completed n
system of mines on the bottom of Hava-
M harbor. One paper to be placed in
evidence is said to be original of Il let
ter alleged to have been written by
General Weyler, in which he announces
his willingness and ability to destroy
the first Yankee ship to enter Havana
harhor. There is much crcdence placed
in this letter by naval officers.
One month ago. sitting in his office
at tho consulate in Havana, General
Lee said: There is more in this re,
port" referring to Wcylcr's plan fos
farbor dcfenses by means OF mines
Ethan many suppose. When the right
time comes | will give a story with pa
nerS for proof"
Tonight n gentleman who came from
Havana on the Fern with General Lee
stated that the Consul General had as
sured him that he U4ee) had possession
of the original documents, and would
give TO the Washington authorities in
disputahle evidence that Weyler had
planned to destroy any American war
ship just as the Maine was destroyed.
The General showed a letter from Al
gernon Sartoris, grandson of General u.
s. Grant, in which Sartoris said he wrote
rs grandson Of the great commander on
the northern side to ask one of the lead
ers on the Southern side to permit him.
in case General Lee headed IN invasion
of Cuba to serve on his staff. Mr.. Sar-
toris added that he was 21 years old.
He presented the compliments of his
mother and grandmother.
The consul general was indignant at
the insults heaped upon his head by the
Spanish officials and the popuace. lie
had been snubbed at the palace by Gen
eral Blanco and affronted by DIR. Con
goSto. As the Fern, bearing the consu-
lar representatives. left Havana harbor
there were cries of ''Regone" from thou
sands of threats.
When General Lee went to the palace
yesterday he was accompanied by Brit
ish Consul GOllan. who was to take UNI
willing charge of the American consulate.
Mr.. Gollan is Spanish sympathizer
and refused to take charge until perem-
ptorily ordered to do so from London.
General Ice sent in his compliments to
General Banco. with request for an
audience He was still consul general
and desired to say that he took leave.
pending his return from the United
States. Instead of General Blanco
came Dr. Congosto. with a curt message
that the captain general did not desire
to see General Lee again.
The consul general was dumfounded.
Congosto bowed and withdrew, leaving
General Lee boiling with Indignation.
Consul Gollan, instead of leaving with
General Lee. made an excuse that he
had to see DIR. Congosto ON n personal
errand. and remained behind. AS Gen
eral Lee passed down the crowded stair
case the Spanish subalterns and attaches
made way for him, muttering insults and
saying "Begoner' 1t is the duty of sol
diers at the palace, when consular repre-
sentatiyeS appear, to stand at "atten-
ton As General Lee passed the sol
diers remained lounging about. Soon
afterward General Lee went on board
the Fern.
As the Fern passed the cruiser Al
phonso MI gun was trained on her
by the cruiser. General Lee saw it and
spoke of it. The gun was swung around
after the Fern had passed Covering
the rear OF the feet of refugees. the
Fern swept ont to sea and headed for
Key West.