Omaha daily bee., 1898-02-14
EFFORT TO GET LEE IN TROUBLE.
Autonomists Want to Rctaliate for
ila. De Lnme EinscO.

the De LONE FinscO.
Copyright, 1898, by Press Publishing Company
HAVANA, Feb. 1S.-(New York World Ca
begram-Special Telegram.)-There Is a
rumor that the palace authorities have a
letter wcitten by Consul General Lee, the
contents of which are as interesting, even
exciting, for Spain, as De Lome's letter 10
Canalejas was for the United States An
other rumor was set afioat that General Lee
had resigned. strCng effort is being made
to get General Lee into the same boat with
De LONE. The membeCs Of the autonomst
cabinet don't like him. He did not visit
them officially as the real head OF the gov
ernment in Cuba, so they thought to eecure
some private letter written by General Lee
which would give robust views OF the Cuban
question. 1t was thought that General Lees
fraukness in conversation Insured the eX-
istenCe of such missives, and the opinion
was openly expressed that General Lee
would have to go too. But as has been
cabled already General Lee has written
nothing about Cuba except in his official re-
ports to the State department. Even II
some seemingly compromising letter from
General Lee got into the possession OF the
palace people it is unlikely that General
Blanco would push the affair. He admires
General Lee.
De Lome's resignation is really considered
hece as u severe blow to Spain. The Cuhans
are jubilant. They say Spain has no other
diplomat with equal brains. Industry, pTt-
vate fortune and brilliant. diplomatic wife.
They think there will be fewer Senators
from Spain" in congress now. The text of
DE Lome's letter printed here today caused
a great stir. His candid opinion OF Mckin-
ley was mildly translated in the English
version circulated in the United States.
General Blanco's hasco in eastern Cuba
the postponing OF the elections, De Lome's
retirement and the recent activity Of the
in ma 10 black
tonomy and for Spain. The failure of the
scheme OF election would be proof to all
nations that autonomy is dead and the gov
ernment Is naturally delaying the evil hour.
The liberal party members are either rebels
or are dead or dying of hunger, while the
conservative party says 1t will not go to the
polls General Blanco had very cool re-
ception upon returning to Havana. He ap-
pears dsheartened. 1t is expected that
those persons who deceive him about the in
surgents being willing to surrender will be
punished. 1t is said at the palace that Gem
eral Blanco will take the field In eastern
Cuba.
Miss Clara Barton, the head OF the Red
Cross society in the United States Is
touched by the universal misery here. She
and her assistant. Mr.. Elwell, are working
hard. They are absolutely unsupported by
the local Red Cross, which, although a
member of the international society, has
never extended succor to anybody but Span
ish soldiers, who need 1t badly enough, Miss
Barton does not care. She expects to ac-
complish the mission unaided. Hotel In
gleterra was beseged yesterday by recon-
centrados, who had heard that Miss Barton
was there with food, They were sent to the
American food dspensary. Miss Barton SUI
perintended the distribution yesterday of
provisions from America at Cerro, a suburb
of Havana. She had her private secretary
take note OF the hospital cases, Mr.. Elwell
Is a capable. common sense business man,
who viii stop all possible leaks in the dis
trbutlon OF American charity. He knows
Cuba. SYLVESTER SCOVEL.