The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-04-15
GEN. Lee Leaves Havana.


of the final leave:
"Tell the Olivette to get under
way at once, Capt. Cowles, and sig
nal the Bache that the United States
feet is ready to clear out of Havana,
and please follow the Bache out"
Such were the words of Consul, Gen
eral Lee at 5 :l5 yesterday afternoon,
as he stood on the poop of the Fern,
with a group Of correspondents around
him.
1t was evident to all that Gen.
Lee intended to be the last to leave,
and murmur of applause went
around in support of his intention.
The Evelyn had already passed Nor
TO Castle, when the Olivette weighed
anchor. The Bache was close be-
hind, and the Fern was the last of
the line. The wharves and boats on
both sides of the narrow entrance to
the harbor were crowded with Span
iards, who Missed and jeered as each
boat passed out.
AS the Fern rounded to, heading
for the open sea, she passed near the
Maine wreck. The group on deck
had been laughing and talking. ex-
pressing their satisfaction at leaving
Havana. With one accord, each man
dotted his hat IN salute to the brave
dead, while silence fell on all for the
space of several minutes. Gen. Lee,
being on board the Fern, made that
boat target for redouhed Kisses,
groans, catcalls and whistles from the
crowds on shore.
sect out Yankees, swiue," was
among the mldest expressions used.
This really seemed ~ strike every
one on board as ludcrous. Vice
Consul Springer, who had been in
the island 30 Seals, waved his hand
to particularly abusive group, say
ing, in tones loud enough for all to
hear: "Wait, wait, my friends, we
will all be back soon"
There was one pretty incident. On
the Cabanas shore British steamer
was unloading at her wharf. AS the
Fern passed, the union jack was dip.
ped, while the English crew gave a
hearty cheer. 1t is needless to say
that the compliment was returned
with all possible gusto.
Havana seemed dazed yesterday
when the people found that. Gen. Lee
was really going, and that all the
Americans we're going with him.
Not to see the United States flag
floating from the staff at Casa Nuevo
struck many residents as little less
than calamity. The correspondents
were besieged with eager questions as
to the intentions of the Americans,
and when the fleet expected bonn
bardment was likely to commence.
The government officials seemed as
much at loss as all the rest. A
Spanish officer Of high rank bcsought
Il spondent to tell him if he had
any news not made public and affect
ing the future of the city.
The fact that Mr.. Gollan, the
British consul, called with Gen. Lee
on Capt. Gen. Banco also puzzled
many, some believing that this meant
an English alliance had been settled.
The truth is that the Havana news
papers have been under such close
surveillance for months, have been
made to publish SO many untruths,
and printed SO many tales of the
United States backing down at the
demand of Germany, Italy, Austria
and Russia, that the residents take
no stock whatever in anything pub
lished. Consequently, when they
saw the Americans leaving, despite
the the statements Of the papers that
they had no intention of going, the
people believed q crisis at hand.
Under instructions from Gen Lee,
who went on board the Fern imme-
diatelv after his farewell cali on Capt.
Gen. Blanco, the consular people and
the correspondents went quietly on
board in twos and lhrees No one
was molested or insulted, but the peo
pie stared culiously as The newspaper
men, TO whose presence all had grown
accustomed, rode down to the dock
with their grips, canes and other hand
baggage, showing their intention TO
depart.
In fact, Havana was kinder than
the ocean outside. All arrived al
Key West today in state of wreck
Everybody was sick, some more so
than Others. Even the naval men
did not escape.
A significant occurrence took place
yesterday when the Fern, with Con
sui General Lee and other Ameli-
cans, was passing Moro Castle. In
reply TO the Spanish rabble on the
wharves, who hooted, death to tile
Yankee swine," the correspondent of
the London Times, who was ON the
Fern. responded loudly: "May
every Yankee shell kill so of those