The herald., 1898-04-13
MAINE MINE MYSTERY
no BE FULLY EXPLAINED By
GENERAL LEE
THE CONSUL AT THE CAPITAL
His Evidence Will Prove That the
Maine Disaster Resulted From
spain's Official Act


IT Spain's Official Act
Associated Press Special Wire
NEW YORK. April ia dispatch to
The World from washington says:
The sensation Of the week may follow
Consul-General Lees appearance before
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
on Wednesday or Thursday. 1t is be-
lieved that he knows more about the Maine
explosion than any other man. There ia
an extremely interesting but unvsrified
story told In the best informed circles here
that General Lee has been able to trace
the shore and harbor batteries which con-
trolled the 600-pound Submarine mine
planted by the Spanish government under
the Maine. Six keys could have been used
to explode that mine. The knowledge of
these keys and how to use them was nec-
essarily secret of the Spanish govern
ment.
At least three of the keys or switches
must have been used to make the electric
circuit which exploded the mine.l The Of
icers who were in charge Of three of the
keys are said to be known to Consul-Gen-
eral Lee. and their whereabouts on the
night of the explosion has been accounted
for sufficiently to free them from any sus-
picion Of completely in the plot.
The names of the other three Spanish
officers having charge of the keys that
were used are also known to General Lee.
It is said. Detectives employed by the
government know every movement of
those officers during the evening before
and after the Maine was blown up. They
cannot prove an albi This is the report
credited here by high naval officials and
at least one member Of the Cabinet who
has been informed of it. 1t Is this report
which makes General Lees testimony
waited with the keenest interest.
Lee in Virginia
EMPORTA. Va. April 12.-General Lee
arose at O'Clock In time to catch the first
glimpse Of Virginia SOIL He rested we'll
during the night and when he came out
of his room he said:
Il feel like a different man. If only had
a good crowd behind me could turn back
Tor Havana"
There was no demonstration today as
the Leo special train passed through
Southern Virginia. By urgent request a
twenty-minute stop will be made at Rich
mond.
1t Is expected that Consul-Geueral Lee
will be summoned promptly before the
committees of Congress in charge of for
eign affairs. The informa tion he will give
will be of very grave character, especi-
ally In connection with the destruction Of
the Maine.
At Richmond
RICHMOND. April 12.-Consul-G General
Lee arrived here at Ii o'clock today in a
special train over the Atlantic Coast Line.
The train remained at the depot about ten
minutes There were at least 10000 peo-
pie, including the Governor and staff and
the Richmond Light Infantry Blues. The
Governor welcomed the Consu,-General,
who made brief speech. He said the time
for talk was over and the time for action
had come. The Howitzers fired a salute
on the arrival of the train. The widest
enthusiasm prevailed.
General Lee, in his speech to the crowd,
to whom he was introduced by Governor
Tyler, SAID: II cannot talk to you now,
in fact. this is not the time to talk, but
the time for action. (Cheers.) What are
You yelling about? Do you want to fight:"
A protracted outburst followed, signi-
flying Willingness from the wildly gesti-
culat.ug crowd.
The Generals wife. son and daughter
accompany him to Washington.
At the National Capital
WASHINGTON. April 12-Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee arrived in Washington at 2:S0 and was
driven at once up the avenue a hundred or
more bicycles accompanying the carriage.
General Lee was driven at once to the
of tho Secretary's door was jammed With
people. AS General Lee stepped out of the
elevator in front of the Secretary's door,
the crowd gave three rousing
cheers which rang through the building.
General Lee bowed his recognition and was
Immediately ushered into the Secretarys
room. The enthusiasm throughout the
building was tremendous. General Lee re-
malned in the building only few minutes.
quickly departing, accompanied by Secre-
tary Sherman and Assistant Secretary
Day, for the White House. The State De-
partment telephoned the Senate I'd ar
range for Feneral Lees appearance before
the Foreign Relations Committee.
The ovation was repeated as Lee went
over from the State Department to the
White House. A mounted bicycle boy had
prcCeueu tue CdEEldSt carrying d large
Cuban flag. and this served to stimulate
the enthusiasm displayed along the drive
to the White House portico. ~
At the railroad station when General Lee
arrived the crowd was immense and ex-
ceedingly enthusiastic. ~
A Notable Ovation
Consul General Fitzhugh Lee arrived
here from Havana at 2:30 o'clock this after
noon. A large crowd of enthusiastic ad-
mirers had gathered at the Pennsylvania
station and when the general etepped from
the train he was greeted with tremendous
>outburst Of applause. Women waved their
handkerchiefs and men their hats, and
altogether the demonstration was a nota-
bic one. Washington crowds as rule are
not demonstrative, but this occasion was
conspicuous exception.
Long before the hour set for the arrival
Of the train the crowd began to gather. 1t
completely filled the station and Sixth
street, adjacent on the east, and extended
far into Pennsylvania avenue The gen.
eral occupied the last car in his train and
when It was known that 1t had reached the
station there was a tremendous effort to
get look at him. BY the time ne was
ready to alight the crowd was so dense
about the train that, even with the assist
auce Of platoon Of police, 1t was with
difficulty that he reached the platform
Several friends Of the general, among them
many ladies, pressed forward and finally