Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-24
FITZ LEE.

"A correspondent OF lHt DditiiHOIc sun,
writing from Jacksonville, states that he
has had an informal interview with Fitz.
Lee, and that Lee did mot hesitate TO ex-
press his desire TO enter Habana as soon
as practicable" II seems however, that
Lee is satisfied 1t would not do at all TO
begin a campaign against that place at
this season of the year.
The correspondent quoted says also that
the general impression is that Lees corps
will be retained at Camp Cuba Libre until
the fall, when IT will become part OF the
army of occupation. III Lee feels that he
is being "side-trackod" he is too good
soldier to take the public into his conf
dence.
1t has been understood all along. we be-
lieve, that Lee is TO lead the expedition
against Habana. but the administration
now INDUCES high hopes that Spain can
be made to sue for peace without our at
tacking the Cuban capital. But the Dis
patch does not feel so sure about that.
We fear the appearance Of yellow-fever
in our camps and the sulking and insu-
bordination of Garcia and his fellow-loot-
srs may encourage the Spaniards TO hold
out much longer than they would do
otherwise. 1t may happen. therefore, that
we shall have 10 besiege Habana. In that
case the administration, even IL 1t wished.
would hardly dare to ignore Lee.
or course. we know that section of
the newspaper press OF this country has
been jeering and gliding at what they call
the "side-tracking OF Fitz Lee and Billy
Bryan" but there is sense of fairness
IN the American people which will not
brook any meanness Of that sort. More
over much as we differ with the Presi-
dent as TO policies of government, we
truly believe he would not consent to that
shabby trick. But II he should he would
DO well to remember the fate of Winfield
Scott.
Scott and Tay;or were both generals in
our war with Mexico: Scott was the rank
ing officer. Taylor was winning victories
right along when Scott withdrew from
Taylor large portion of the latter's
force. This brought Taylor to stand
still almost and enabled Scott's army to
close the war triumphantly.
Thereafter Scott and Taylor both were
espirants for the presidency. Taylor was
successful. Scott was not. SCOTS treat
ment OF Taylor contributed largely to the
formers defeat Tens Of thousands Of his
eonntrymen were of the opinion that Scott
was not justified in depicting Taylor's
army to III his own.
Fitz Lee and Billy Bryan, the one a
major-general and the other a colonel of
infantry. are men beloved by millions OF
Americans, and anything smacking of In
Justice 10 them would be resented by the
people
Inasmuch as the Santiago expedition
was made Up of regulars mostly 0he only
troops fully equipped at that time), Fitz
Lee had no great right 70 expect to go
with 81 but ne and his men are now
equipped 10 60 to Porto Rico II they are
not sent there because 1t is the purpose
e our government TO reserve them for
equally honorable service in Cuba, well
and good. Blu, the people want "a square
DEAL" and will not tolerate any double
shutting in this matter.
IL Fitz Lee and Bryan are kept in the
background until the end OF the war.
while Teddy Roosevelt and his fellows are
being showed TO the front upon every
imaginable occasion. time will come
when falr-mInded and frank dealing
public viii want to know the reason why.