The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-15

"The town would surrender in 4 short
while"
General Lee said that in all there are
about 100000 Spaniards of the population of
Cuba, which is about / 500 co.,
General Lee said that he had expended
all but about 5000 of the $50 900 appropria-
ton for the relief of American citizens In
Cuba. Senator Morgan asked If it was
actually necessary to feed them, to which
General Lee replied: "They were praetic Al
ly in the condition of the other inhabitants
of the island. They had very little to work
at There were not many sugar planta-
lions in operation nor tobacco plantations,
and they were suffering like everybody
else"
Senator Cullom asked If the Spanish army
got any of the supplies sent by the United
States.
mo, sir" said General Lee. Occasion
ally they might have gotten little here
and there"
Senator Frye asked various questions in
regard to the physical condition of the
Spanish soldiers and the method of pro-
viding for them, to which General Lee re-
piled that the condition of the Spanish
soldiers was very bad. They are badly
clothed and very badly fed, not well organ
lied and not drilled.
Mr.. Trye-"If Spain has really approprl-
ated 900 for the sustenance of the re-
concentrates, as 1t is stated above, would
soldiers be left to starve?"
General Lee-"Oh, no."
General Lee-"They viii divide it up
here and there-a piece taken off here and
a piece off there. I do not believe they
have appropriated anything of the kind"
Relief for Americans
General Lee said there were American cit
liens on the island for which there were
no provisions since he left. He thought
there would have to be active steps for
their relief as they are suffering. He
thought Miss Clara Barton would have re-
manned to take charge of the distribution
of supplies, "but, very much to my, sur
prise, she turned around and came out the
same day we did, bringing every Red
Cross"
Senator Frye asked: "What, in your judg-
ment, Is the possibility of Spain conquering
the insurgents and restoring peace to the
island?"
Consul-General Lee: st do not think there
is the slightest possibility of their doing 1t
at all in any way. The same condition of
things existed when Mr.. Cleveland asked
me to go down there last June year ago.
1 gave him a report three weeks after
got there and told him there was no chance
in my opinion for the Spaniards ever sup
pressing that instruction, nor was there
any chance for the insurrectionists expel-
Skeleton Form of Government
In response to an inquiry from Senator
Lodge of his opinion of the insurgent gov
eminent, General Lee said: Il have never
thought that the insurgents had anything
except the skeleton form of a government
a movable capital. / asked them one day
why they did not have some permanent
capital, and 1 think they gave a very good
reason. They said 1t would require large
otad of
could not afford to mass their men there;
that the capital and government officials
had to move to where they could be
safest"
General Lee said he did not know any of
the officials connected with their civil gov
eminent. The armed force would number
probably 81, 900 or $4,000. The number has
been up probably as high as $4,000 or $1,000
men well armed. The ammunition varies.
The Spanish force was possibly $4,000 or S.
900.
General Lee said that an American army
of occupation could go into the island with
safety tomorrow. The climate nor any
thing else need prevent them from entering
General Lee said that when he left Ha-
yana the Spanish troops had not been paid
for about nine months, nor the spanish
officers for about four months.
Senator Daniel asked: DO you tnlnk
General Blanco was lacking in courtesy to
you on leaving the island?
Refused to See Him
General Lee-I went with the British
consul-general. I saw General Congosto,
the secretary to the general. told Congos-
To that 7 had received instructions to leave
the island and go to the United States, and
1 called to pay my final respects to General
Bianco. He asked me to sit down ana
said he would go and let him know. he
went off and stayed about fifteen minutes
and came back and said the general said to
please excuse him, he was not well and was
living down. 1 told DR.. Congosto to say
goodbye" to him and turned around anu
left.
Mr.. Daniels-Were there any demonstra-
lions of ill will towards you as you left
General Lee-When we were coming out
on the steamer Saturday evening there
was some halooing and cat-calling and
whistling, and some Spanish expressions,
meaning towards, running away, etc. l
think that was confined to the lower or
n nf howeVer