Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-11
A TALE OF HORROR
Correspondence Of ColSllS in
Cuba.
SCENES OF Distribution
Graphic Statements by Gen. Lee and
Others in Official Reports.
AUTONOMY 4 DEAD ISSUE
Bitter Feeling Of Hostility Against
Americans.
AUTONOMY 4 DEAD ISSUE
RELIEF TO RECONCENTRADOS

The consular correspondence with regard
to the situation in Cubs. which was trans
resolutions of inquiry adopted by the House
and Senate. The correspondence was pre-
pared for transmission to Congress just
before the blowing up Of the Maine, and,
having been held up since. now includes
communications up to April l. 1t covers
the communications of Consul General Lee
at Havana. Consul McGarr at Cienfuegos.
Consul Brice at Matanzas, Consul Hyatt
at Santiago de Cuba and Consul Barker at
Sagua Ia Grande. The communications
make about coco words. They deal large
ly with the distress and suffering which
exists in all the districts; but Gen. Lee
reports quite fully upon the DEGREES of the
government with regard to autonomy ana
other political phases of the situation. In
preparing the correspondence for transmits
SION to Congress considerable portions of
the important communications, and especi-
ally those marked confidential, are omitted
The resolutions to which they are the re-
Spouse in each Instance asked only for such
correspondence as 1t was not deemed in
compatible with the public interest to make
public.
Gen. Lees Correspondence.
Gen. Lees correspondence runs over the
period from November II. 1897, to April 1,
1888 Much of the correspondence is of a
confidential nature. and of some of the i'm
portant communications excerpts only are
given The period OF the correspondence
after the blowing up of the Maine contains
no reference to that event, such commune
cations prO6abfv betne
the purpose of the resolution calling for the
consular correspondence in the possession
CT the government to the situation of
affairs IN Cuba The first dispatch of Gen,
Lee contains Gen Blancos order under
date OF November ID, repeating, or rather
mcclfying, Gen Weylers order of concen-
tratfon. which has heretofore been publish
ed by the press. This order was made
shortly after Gen. Lee returned to Ha-
vana from the United States last fall Gen.
Lee in this communication also inc.osed the
proclamation of ]. II. Rodriguez, ma jor
general in charge Of the western depart
ment of the Cuban military operations, ad-
dressed to the Cuban people, and inform
ing them of the firm resolution Of the
insurgent army to continue fighting until
the attainment of absolute independence
1t was on November % that Consul Cen
e-ad Lee made his first report to the De
partment of State on the condition of af-
fairs in Cuba 1t is as follows:
United States Consulate General,
Habana, November 23. 1897.
Sir: 1 have the honor to briefly submit a
statement of what appears TO be the pres
ont condition of affairs in this island
1st- The insurgents will not accept auton-
omy.
ID A large majority of the Spanish SUBJ
1ects, who have commercial and business
interests and own property here will not
accept autonomy, but prefer annexation to
the United States rather than an independ-
ent republic or genuine autonomy under
the Spanish flag.
3D. The Spanish authorities are sincere in
doing all in their power to encourage. pro-
tect and promote the grinding of sugar
The grinding season commences In Decem.
ber
fth- The insurgent leaders have given in
structfons to prevent grinding. whenever
It can be done. because by diminishing the
export of sugar the Spanish government,
revenues are decreased 1t will he verv
difficult for the Spanish authorities to pre.
vent cane burning. because one might a,
night start fire which will burn hundreds
OF acres. Just as single Individual could
ignite prairie by throwing a match into
the dry grass.
5th- i am confident that General Blanco
and Pando, his chief Of stan. az well as
Dr. Congosto, the secretary general with
all Of whom 1 have had conversations ara
perfectly conscientious in their desire n
relieve the distress of those suffering from
the effects Of Weyler's Recommendation or.
der, but. unfortunately, they have not the
means to carry out such benevolent DUR.
poses. In this city matters are assumins
better shape under charitable Committees
ETC.. large numbers are now cared for and
fed by private subscriptions 1 witnessed
many terrible scenes and saw Some "a.
while / was present. am told t;en.ro
Blanco will give 500. 600 to the RELIEF fund
In the bitches of Havana.
November "a Gen. Lee sent tn the A..
Iartment the communication of two pan.
tlemen whose names, he says. are SIM,
pressed for obvious reasons. but whom
he knows personally as standing high n
the community. concerning the condition
In Los Fosos (the ditches) in Havana
The communication says. among otbe,
things: -Four hundred and sixty vomer
ard children thrown on the ground heaueS
pell-nell - animals, some In a dying con
dition. othsEs siek. others dead, withou,