The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-15
The Hand of Weyicr.

2 y all the testimony relating 10 the
destruction of the Maine, no chap
ter thus far written is so interesting
or So suggestive as the one contributed
by Consul General Lee. That he had
excellent sources for information VIII
be readily admitted, that he is far re-
moved from a weakness for romancing
or for the imitation of yellow" testi-
mony. the country perfectly well
knows. Some time ago n report which
could not be traced to trustworthy au-
thority was circulated. to the effect that.
Indirectly, at least, through correspond
ence that had been betrayed, the re-
sponsibility for the destruction OF the
Maine could be traced back TO people
with whom Weyler was in confidential
relations. Consul General Lee believes
that the Maine was blow up by Span
iards who are familiar with the forts
and harbors at Havana, and he is out
spoken in the expression of his be-
! lief.
Testimony Of this sort is in startling
proof of the fact that the spirit. the in
nuence and the effects of Weylerism
still stalk in the island of Cuba. Wey-
Ter himself demonstrated what a brutal
spirit and influence this Is. Indeed, II
other testimony were lacking, the re-
ports of the c~onsuls, which were made
n part of President McKinley's mes
sage Of last Monday, are in evidence
For instance. one point boldly brought
out in these consular reports is the
failure of the removal of Weyler TO les
sen the terrors Of his decree of eXtermi-
nation.
This fact is pointedly expressed by
the st. Louis Times-Democrat. which
says: The Weyler policy continues
to do its deadly work. Nor is there
any hope that it can be reversed under
Spanish authority. When the rural
populations were expelled from their
homes their houses were burne and
improvements destroyed. II they ven
ture back it is at the risk of their
lives. They are without implements,
shelter or food enough to last a single
day, and their physical condition Is
pitifuI. Their wives and children are
either dead or sick and helpless"
The whole body of reconcentrados
needs food. medicine and nursing. One
consul says 400, 900 have died since jan
nary /. 1897. Another asserts that
those who venture back to their farms
will be killed, for a "butchery of every
one caught outside the lines has COM
menced again." 1t is added that Sc
cret military orders We're given To Kill
all who left the concentration camps 10
.,g., .rn,g Anafhar consul 81 NS the
authorities cannot feed the officials,
and that i'm one Cuban city the police
arc on the relief list.
Doubtless Consul General Lee care
fully measured his words and their
significance when he gave his views to
members of the senate committee. He
laid no blame on Blanco. although he
might be justified in a feeling of re-
sentiment, since Blanco refused to ac-
cord common courtesy to General Lee
when he was about To quit Havana.
But. evidently, in the consul generals
Judgment. the Weylerites are the Of
tenders.
Il am satisfied" General Lee testifics,
that the explosion was from the out
side. | have always believed the
Maine was not blown up by any private
individual. but by some officers who
had charge of the mines and electric
wires and torpedoes in the arsenal, who
thoroughly understood their business.
for it was lone remarkably well. l don't
think Blanco had anything To do with
IT,. I don't think he had any knowledge
Of II. He seemed to regret ii as much
as anybody | saw i'm Havana. | think
il came from some subaltern officers
who had been there under Weyler, and
who were probably anti-Blanco any
how. and who had full knowledge of
the business"