The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-21
COMPLAINT AGAINST LEE.
Other ConsuIs Think He FhvOrs Re
concentrates at Havana.

HAVANA, Feb. 20-Some friction, 1t is
reported, has occurred between Consul Cen
eral Lee and the other United states con-
suls in the island over the distribution or
funds and supplies sent from the United
States for the reconcentrados. The COM
plant is made that, though food and money
have been coming for several weeks, moth
ing has been distributed outside Havana
province. Consul Barker, of Sagua la
Grande, and Consul Brice, of Matanzas,
who came here to learn the particulars of
the Maine explosion, left, it is said, without
calling on the consul general. The reason
given was that they felt they had not been
treated fairly by the consul general Each
expected aid for his district from the
American supplies but received none. The
statement is made that it is their intention
to appeal directly to the American State
Department, and to ask that food be con-
signed to them instead of to the Havana
consulate.
The incident has caused some comment
among Americans here, who regret it.
Consul Brice says he is sick at the sights
forced on him during the last two years.
He has reported the facts of the case to
Washington, and believes his district en-
titled TO share Immediately in the aid of
ago he found man dead of want in the
market place of Sagua Ia Grande. The
minister took up collection appealing to
all classes, but so great is the general i'm
poverishment that it yielded only $3.50.
Both consuls say that this distress must
grow daily, and that death will keep pace
with it unless relief is afforded.
Consul General Lee, when these matters
were brought to his attention, replied that
there was not the slightest intention to neg
lect the reconcentradOs in the eastern prov
lnces. but he pointed out that Havana, be-
ing the largest city, was consequently more
IN need of succor. He asserted that he
mad written the consuls that everything
possible would be done for sufferers in
their localities as soon as supplies are avail
able, but the relief thus far has been no.
where near commensurate with the neces-
sity. He has deputed much of the work OF
distribution to Miss Clara Barton, who has
the confidence of all parties, and who is al
most constantly at work in conjunction
with the special agent of the consul gem
eral
Senior Jose CongOsto, the secretary gem
eral, is said to have asserted in a private
interview that the government expected
to be able to buy up" several members Of
the New York Junto. it is generally be-
lieved that the statement was made in or
der to quiet discomfort here arising from
the military failures of General BIanco
and General Pando in the East.
Sonora Isabelle Rubio, owner of many to-
bacco estates In tho eastern part of the
island and active insurgent, has been
captured by the Spanish in the province of
Pinar del Rio, and is now in the hospital
At the time of the Maceo incursion she
induced half the province to join the in
surgent cause. She accomplished one of tho
original Maceo expeditions tc Cuba then
left the island and after time returned
with an expedition from Key West.
Rumors have reached here of the landing
of an important expedition near the river
Maraniao, this province but as yet the
name of the vessel and of the leader Of the
party is undisclosed