The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-12
GEN. LEES LETTERS,
Suffering and Starvation Reported
by Consul General.

Gen. Lees correspondence runs over the
period from Nov. II, 1897, to April l. 1898.
Much of the correspondence is Of a confden-
tial nature. and Of some Important communi-
cations excerpts only are given.
The latest dispatch Of Gen. Lee contains
repeating, or rather, modifying Gen. Wey-
ler's order of concentration which has here
tofore been published by the press. This
order was made shortly after Gen Lee re-
turned to Havana from the United States
last fall. Gen. Lee in this communication
also enclosed the proclamation of ]. NJ. Rod
f1guez, major general in charge Of the West
ern department of the Cuban military opera
tions, addressed to the Cuban people and in
forming them of the firm resolution Of the
insurgent army to continue fighting until the
attainment Of absolute independence.
Earlier portions Of the correspondence are
devoted to conditions in Cuba, political discus
sions and the chances of autonomy being
accepted.
Jan. Is Gen. Lee sent cablegram to the
Department with regard to the riotng and
the demonstrations against autonomy. and
Blanco and three newspaper officers. Jan.
Is. he said some Of the rioters threatened to
80 to the United States consulate -
SHIPS, he said are not now needed may
be later If Americans are in danger ships
should move promptly for Havana. Uncer-
talnty and excitement widespread" The
reported all quiet.
On the 18th Gen. Lee sent dispatch mark
lows:
Havana RiOting.
The recent disorders in this oity are to be
primarily attributed to a group of Spanish
officers who were incensed at articles appear-
ing In three of the newspapers of Havana
Ell Reconcentrado, La Discussion and Ell
Diario de la Marina. The first was very pro-
hounced against Gen. Weyler and his
@g5ooas the the w Discussion had been
ton was permitted to be resumed hv
Blanco, and the last had been an ultra -snan,
ism organ. but had been converted by the
present authorities to autonomy. 1t Is prob
able that the Spanish officers were first pro-
voked by the denunciations of Weyler In the
mned to Of so Sne Of int these and deter
ported by the mob turned the demonstration
UTo an ansi-autonomistic affair. =
SEND today an analysis of the autonomis-
tic plan. The intense opposition on the mart
OF the Spanish arises from the fact that the
nrst appointments Of the officers to put into
side OF their party in order to show the
Cubans In arms that autonomy was instituted
Tor their benefit and protection. =
me intelligent Spaniards see
no prosperity in the future, but rather wars
and more confusion in the same old attempts
to make the waters Of commerce flow in I'M
natural channels. The lower Spanish classes
have nothing in mind when autonomy ia
mentioned fher except Cuban local rule. hence
Jan. 81 Gen. Lee transmitted COPY of the
decree which established the autonomous re-
gime on the island of Cuba.
On Jan. 1922, Gen. Lee reported by cable
daily that all was quiet in Havana and that
the recent rioting had caused some delays
but that no difficulty was apprehended as to
the landing OF supplies
Feb. he reports the receipt Of moneys
from various sections Of the United States
for relief purposes, and the manner in which
1t is being distributed.
Feb. 10 he teegraphed the state depart
ment follows:
Captain general returned yesterday; met
with no success of any sort. Spaniards every
where unfriendly; rumors of coming demon
stration against him here. I think him an
excellent man, but in unfortunate posi-
sion; three serious combats reported within
week, in each insurgents victorious.
Awful Suffering.
The same day he sent to the state depart
ment a statement of the condition in the
: towns in the neighborhood of the city Of
kIIavana by a person he had sent to those
places for the purpose of inspecting the num-
Der and condition Of the starving The state
ment covers four towns In the neighborhood
of Havana, and is largely a repetition of the
awful tale of suffering which came from the
old people of the island.
At Melina del Sura the statement says that
It lie impossible for the mayor, owing to the