The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-17
Fitzbugh Lee on
Cuba's Future.
Confers With President and
Department Officials.

Washington, August Is Maj. Gen.
Fitzhugh Lee, in command Of the
Seventh army corps al Jacksonville,
Fla, vas 10 conference to-day with the
President and the war department au-
thorities. He came here on special
telegraphic srmmons from Secretary
Alger and it was with the latter he
conferred for an hour with the Pfesl-
dent. Gen Lees experience ss consul
general at Habana has given him an
intimate knowledge of Cuban copdi
tions which will be a7ailed of by the
administration.
It is generally expected that he will
head the military commission which
will adjust the affairs in Cuba, and ne
has also been strongly urged for the
goveruorship of shas island after the
functions of that committee cease. On
both of these points. however, Gen.
Lee asserts be knows nothing. He
would not speak of the subjects dis
cussed as the result of his hasty trip
here beyond saying he has been talking
over matters in Cuba generally.
Then ne added 1.-The first work
which will have to be done 10 Cuba
will be to make arrangements by
which the municipal machinery can be
put into operations ia all the towns,
and governmental machinery through
out the island for each district There
will have to be a military coosrol, |
suppose. until such time as the peo-
Pile interested can organize and put
into operation government, "blch
should be stable aud strong enough TO
impsrtially protect the interests OF the
Spaniards. Americans, Cubans and the
people of all other nationali.les pow
on the island, or who may hereafter
60 there
els there a probability Of Spanish
interests suffering through the Gu
bans p
"The Spanish property holders. mer.
chants aud ali other classes of Span.
iards, naturally, would unite with ell
the rest Of the conservative inhabl-
tants for tie preservation of the in
oterests of all the citizsns, and | think
they will help the natives and the
Americans to maintai strong, safe
government. This would be natural,
because DO class of people would be
more interested thao they are in main
tanning property and all other rights.
The most difficult problem to solve is
the first organization of a preliminary
form of government, as later the isl-
aud will be very rapidly American.
lied, and all suon questions will take
care of themselves. AZ to the prob
abilities of the Cubans attaining ia
BILE government, | presume that as soon
as possible proclamation will be is
sued setting a date for the holding
of general election for chief exc
cutive of the island, and for a legis-
lative body to which all matters af-
feetiag the future of the island will
be referred This Legislative body
probably will adopt constitution and
make proper laws to put iuto operation
the political form of government.
"As to the army of occupation which
will be necessary TO maintain our posi-
too With respect to Cuba, $4,000 men
will be ample to garrison the whole ISL
and Of this nun Der, possibly %, 900
would be stationed 10 and about Ha-
bana. Ma;a0zas would be toe next
most important point for garrison.
Other points should be regulated BY
the probabilities of disorder that light
take place there, and the number Of
troops at the various points will natu-
rally be governed By circumstances.
Properly directed, Cuba will have a
great omnercial future Its un bound
ed and great resources will be very rap
idly developed by American push, v1gor
aud capital
Gen Lee says he has no plans be-
yond goiog back to Jacksonville to re.
sumo command of the Seventh army
corps He will leave for that poius
Wednesday.