The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-16
He Has Been Strongly Urged for that
Position.
SHOULD BE STABLE AND STRONG
The Government Established on the
Island Should Protect the Interests
of ill-Cuba Has a Great Conn
mcrciai Future in store.
The General Goes Back
To-Norrow.

WASHINGTON Aug. .-Maior-Gene-
raj Fiizhugh Lee in command of the
Seventh Army Corps at Jacksonville.
Fla, was in conference to-day with the
President and the War Department an-
thorltios. He came here on a special
telegraph.c summons from Secretary
Aiser and It was with the latter he con-
ferred for an hour with the President.
General Lees experience as consul-gcne-
raj at Havana has givon him an init
mate knowledge of cuban conditions
which will be availod OF by the admin
istraton.
URGED FOR GOVERNOR.
IL Is generally expected that he will
mead the military commission which will
ADJUST tho Affairs I'm Cuba and also no
mas been strongly urged for the COVER
nor5hip OF that island after the functions
oil that con mission cease. ON both OF
these points. however. General Lee as
serls he knows nothing. lie would not
speak of the subjects discussed as IA,
result Of his hasty trip here beyond say.
ing he has hoen talking over matters "
IuDa generally Then he added.
TO BE DONE FIRST.
"Tho first work which will have to bs
done In cuba viii be % make arrange.
ments by which all the municipal ma.
chinery can be put IN operation in aD
the towns and government machinor,
throughout the island for each district.
Ihere VIII have 10 be military control
/ suppose until such "a time as the people
Interested can organize and put into ope-
ration government. which should be
st"pie ana strong enough 10 impartally
protect the interests Of Spaniards. Amer
icans Cub1ns and the people of an 9TH
er nationalitos now on the island or
VINO may hereafter 80 there"
us there a probability OF Spanish in
terests suffering through the Cubans?"
WILL COOPERATE.
"The Spanish property holders mer-
chants and all D,her classes OF sDaniords
naturally would unite with an the rest
OF the conservative inhabitants for the
preservation Of the interests OF all the
rest or the citizens and think they Will
help the natives and the Americans TO
maintain strong safe government.
rms would be- natural because no class
OF people would Dee more Interested than
they are IN maintaining property and an
oiher rights. The most difficult prob
lem 10 solve IS the first organization OF
"a preliminary form OF government as lat
err the island viii be very RAPIDLY Amer
lcanzed and an such questions win take
care Of themselves.
THE PROGRAMME.
AS 10 the probabilities OF the Cubans
attaining a stable government. presume
that as soon as possible a proclamation
VIII be issued setting a date for tho
H'idlns OF general election for "a CHIEF
executive of the island and for a leris
.@llFr Dody 10 which all matters affect
ing me future OF the island VIII be re-
ietred. This legislative body probably
VIII ADOPT "a Constitution and make the
proper laws 20 put into operation the DO
hucal form OF government As 10 tho
army OF occupation which will be neoos-
sary To maintain our position with re-
spect 10 Cuba. 5000 men will be ample
10 garrison the whole island. or this
number possibly 1900 would be station
| ed In and about Havana Matanzas
| would be the next most important point
Tor a garrison. Other points should be
regulated by the probabilities Of dis
| order that might take place there. and
| the number Of troops at various points
Wil naturally De governed by circum-
stances.
GREAT FUTURE
Properly directed. Cuba VIII lave 4
| great commercial future. It's unbounded
! and great resources will De very rapidly
| developed by American push, vigOr and
! capital"
General Lee says he has no plans be-
yond going back TO Jacksonville 10 re-
sumo command OF tho Seventh Army
| Corps. he will leave for that point
! Wednesday.