The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1898-04-15
GENERAL LEE
LEAVES HAVANA.
Indignant at Insults Heap
ed Upon Him.
KISSES AND JEERS BY sPANIARDs
As the Boats Bearing the Americans
Leave Havana HarbOr-Lee Wants to
Lead the First Division on Havana.

KEY WEST, FLA, Sunday, April 10.
you may tell Gen. Blanco for me
that the Fern is the last ship of the
American navy that will ever go
out of Havana harbor while the |
Spanish flag flies over Moro"
This was the message that Gen. |
Lee sent back to Gen. Blanco as he
steamed out of Havana barbor last
night. Lee was indignant at the |
insults heaped upon his head by the |
Spanish officials and the populace. |
He had been snubbed at the palace
by Gen. Blanco and affronted by
DR.. CougOsto.
AS the Fern, hearing our consular
representative left the harbor there
were cries of "Fuerar' cBegone!")
from thousands of throats, and Vice
Consul Springer made gesture in
reply which meant, 1--WE will come
again" and cried "Esperen volver-
nos!' await our return.D
When Gen. Lee went to the palace
yesterday he was accompanied by
the British consul, Mr.. Colon, who
was to take unwilling charge of the
American consulate. Mr.. Colon is a
Spanish sympathizer, and refused
to take charge until peremptorily
ordered to DO so from London.
Gen. Lee sent in his compliments
to Gen. Blanco, with request for
an audience. He was still consul
general. and desired to say that he
took leave pending his return from
the United States.
Instead of Gen. Blanco came nr.
COngosto, with the curt message
that the captain-general did not
desire to see Gen. Lee again.
Gen. Lee was dumfounded.
Congosto bowed and withdrew,
leaving Gen. Lee boiling with in
dignation.
AS Gen. Lee passed down the
crowded staircase the Spanish sub
alterns and attaches made way
for him, muttering insults and cry
ing, "Fuera!' ~ 1t is the duty of SOL
diers out of the palace, when con-
, sular representatives. appear, to
stand at attention. AS Gen. Lee
passed the soldiers remained loung-
= ing about. So many threats had
been made, and so gross had been
the insults, that Gen. Lee had de-
cided to remain no longer in Ha-
vana, and went on board the Fern.
Everything had been done to pro-
/ tect American interests. All con-
, suls and vice consuls were gathered
in Cuba. All persons desiring the
protection OF the United States were
given passage in ships.
The Olivette was literally loaded
! down with passengers. One hun
dled went aboard the Evelyn, a
tramp steamer. There were twenty
J six on the Bache, and on the Fern
were Gen. Lee, his staff and Ameri-
can newspaper correspondents.
The Dudley was the first to sail.
/ Then the Olivette left, then the
Evelyn, the Bache, and, last of all,
the Fern.
Trained a Gun on Lees Boat.
AS the Fern passed the Alphons G
XII, gun was trained on her an d
the gun crew stood ready. Gen.
Lee saw it and spoke of it. The gur
was swung around after the Fern
had passed. Above the whistling
Y came cries of "Fuera," "Fuera,
e accompanied by insulting epithets.
Back went the reply from Vice
Consul Springer "Esperen Vol
= vernos."
v Covering the rear of the fleet Of
f: the refugees the Fern swept out to
sea and headed for Key West.
Beneath the shadow of Moro Cas-
: tie some one brought out bottle OF
: champaign and glasses, and Gen
Lee gave this toast:
"Here is to the officers and mer
:. of the Maine, which was blown uY
by spanish mine.n
In responding, Mr.. Ackers, an
/ English subject, said:
t. "May fifty guns speak for each OF
q the Names dead, and may each
! gun mean fifty Spanish lives"
Gen. Lee was asked if his toast
was significant. He replied: ~ il
o significant only as 1 speak from the
= heart, not from the head"
: "Is it true,' it was asked him
!: "that you have evidence showing
J, Spanish implication in the blowing
up of the Maine?"
II have a report to make on the
Maine" he answered, (which will
" be in the presidents hands on Tues
5 day, but have no evidence"
d Gen. Lee again denied in Key
J, West that he had any positiv,
evidence to add to what the court o.
inquiry had reported.
Speaking about possible hostili
ties, Gen. Lee said:
q II believe it is my due that
n should be allowed to lead the frs
division on Havana. If do, please
say for me that 1 know how to tax
!, the city"
IS III Years Old.