Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-04-15
GEN. LEE LEFT HAVANA
On Saturday, Accompanied by
Many Americans.

Captain General Bianco Refused 10 See
Him- -Our Consul Insulted by sp"n-
Ish SoIdIers---Immense crowd Wit
messed the Departure.
"You may tell Gen. Blanco for me that
the Fern is the last ship of the American
navy that will ever 90 out of Havana har-
Dor while the Spanish flag flies over MORO
This was the message that Gen. Lee sent
back to Gen. Blanco as he steamed out OF
Havana harhor Saturday night. Lee was
indignant at the insults heaped upon his
head by the Spanish officials and the popu-
lace.
Gen. Lee went to the Palace Saturday, ac-
companied by the British consul, Mr.. Col
Ian, who was to take unwilling charge Of
the American consulate. Mr.. Gollan is a
Spanish sympathizer, and refused to take
charge until peremptorily ordered to do so
from London.
Gen. Lee sent in his compliments to
Gen. Blanco with a request for an audi
ence. He was still consul general and
desired to say that he took leave pending
his return from the United States.
Instead of Gen. Blanco came DR.. Con-
gosto, with the curt message that the Cap
tain General did not desire to see Gen.
Lee again. Gen. Lee was dumfounded.
Congosto bowed and withdrew, leaving
Gen. Lee boiling with indignation.
Consul Gollan, instead of leaving with
Gen. Lee. made an excuse that he had to
see DR., Congosto on personal matter and
remained behind.
ImsuIted by Spanish Soldiers.
As Gen. Lee passed down the crowded
fatr ha icb
taches made way for him, muttering insults
and crying "Fuera" (meaning "begone"
in Spanish) 1t is the duty of soldiers out
of the palace, when consular representa-
tives appear, to stand at attention. As
Gen. Lee passed, the soldiers remained
lounging about.
SO many threats had been made and so
gross had been the insults that Gen. Lee
decided to remain no longer in Havana
and went on board the Fern.
Everything had been done TO protect
American interests. The steamer James
II. Dudley, which came in, was advised by
Lee not to unload but to depart at once.
The oil steamer Almouth, of Philadelphia,
had disregarded Gen. Lees advice and I'M
loaded, and was lying at the dock with
$50, 600 duty 10 pay Nothing could be
done for her
The Olivette was literally loaded down
with passengers. one hundred went
aboard the Evelyn, tramp steamer. There
were 20 on the Bache, and on the Fern
were Gen. Lee and his staff and American
newspaper correspondents. The Dudley
was the first to sail; then the Olivette left,
then the Evelyn, the Bache and last Of all
the Fern. Each boat wanted to be the
last The Bache's engineers had arranged
to plead breakdown and did ii, and Gen.
Lee had to peremptoriy order the Bache
to proceed.
DerIsiOn In FareweIIs.
The harbor was lined from Machina
wharf 10 Moro Castle on one side, and to
La Punta on the other, with thousands Of
spectators. Everybody whistled The
whistle is a mark of derision, like kissing
in the United States.
As the Fern passed the Alphonso MI
a gun was trained on her and the gun crew
stood ready. Gen. ee saw it, and spoke of
it, The gun was swung around after the
Fern la passed.
Above the whisting came cries of
"Fuera :" "Fuera, :" accompanied by insult
ing epithets. Back went the reply from
Vice Consul Springer, "Esperen volver
nos :" "Wait till we return
Covering the rear Of the fleet of the ref
ugees, the Fern swept out to sea and head
ed for Key West.
Gen. Lee was so indignant at the conduct
of the crowds that he wrote this note to be
sent by the pilot to Gen. Blanco: -
You have broken every promise made
me. We have have been whistled at and
insulted as we 60. We will return, and
your whistle will be that of another
tune
Maine Heroes Toasted.
Gen. Lee tore this note up, however, and
as the pilot was leaving he turned to him
and gave him a verbal message TO Blanco.
Beneath the shadow of Moro Castle some
one brought ont a bottle Of champagne
and glass, and the General gave this toast:
Here is to the officers and men Of the
Maine, which was blown up by Spanish
mine
In responding, Mr.. Ackers, an English
subject, said:
May fifty guns speak for each of the
Maine dead, and may each gun mean fifty
Spanish lives"
Americans Rnd--.Englishmen Fight