The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-12

I
districts, but General Lee reports quite
fully upon the DEGREES of the government
with regard to autonomy, and other po-
| litical phases Of the situation. In pre-
pairing the correspondence for transmits
sion to congress, considerable portions Of
the important communications, espe-
cially those marked confidential, are
omitted. The resolution to which they are
the response in each instance asked only
! for such correspondence as it was deem
! ed not incompatible with the public in
! terest 20 make public.
! FlTZHUGH LEES REPORT
General Lees correspondence runs over
the period from November II, 1897, to
April l, 1898 Much of the correspondence
is of a confidential nature and from some
of the important communications eX-
cerpts only are given.
The period of the correspondence after
the blowing up of the Maine contains no
reference to that event, such commune
cations probably being deemed irrelevant
to the purpose of the resolution calling for
the consular correspondence in the possess
sion of the government as to the condi-
ton of affairs in Cuba.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
The first dispatch of General Lee con-
tains General Blanco's order under date
of November 13, repeating, or rather mod
flying, General Weylers order of con-
centration, which has hithertofore been
published by the press. This order was
made shortly after General Lee returned
TO Havana from the United States last
fall.
General Lee, in this communication, also
encloses the proclamation of J. NJ. Rodri-
guez, major general in charge of the west
ern department of the Cuban military OPP
erations, addressed TO the Cuban people
and informing them of the firm resolu-
ton" of the insurgent army to continue
fighting until the attainment of absolute
independence.
HONEST BUT HELPLESS.
It was on November % that Consul
Gene a Lee made his first report to the
department of state on the condition of
affairs in Cuba. It is as follows:
United States Consulate-General,
Havana, Nov %, 1897.
"Sir:-I have the honor to briefly sub
nit a statement of what appears to be
the present condition of affairs in this is
land.
'First-The insurgents will not accept
autonomy.
"Second-A large majority of the Span
ish subjects, who have commercial and |
business interests here and own proper
ty, will not accept autonomy, but prefer |
annexation to the United States rather |
than an independent republic or genuine |
autonomy, under the Spanish flag.
'Third-The Spanish authorities are sin |
cere in doing all in their power to en-
courage. protect and promote the grind |
ing of sugar. The grinding season COM |
mences in December.
''Fourth-The insurgent leaders have |
given instructions TO prevent grinding |
wherever it can be done, because by di- |
minishing the export of sugar, the Span
ish revenues are decreased. 1t will be |
very difficult for the Spanish authorities
to prevent cane burning, because one man
at night can start a fire which will burn
hundreds of acres, just as a single indi-
vidual could light prairie by throwing a
match into the dry grass.
Fifth am confident that General
Blanco and Pando, his chief of staff. as
well as Dr.. Congosto. the secretary-gen-
eral, with all Of whom l have had con-
versations. are perfectly conscientious in
their desire to relieve the distress OF those
suffering from the effects of Weyler's re-
concentration order, but. unfortunately.
they have not the means TO carry out such
purposes.
In this city matters are assuming bet
ter shape under charitable committees,
etc. large numbers are now cared for and
fed by private subscriptions
Il witnessed many terrible scenes and
saw some die while I was present. I an,
told that General Blanco VIII give $lo0.-
OoO TO the relief fund.
HORRORS OF LOS FOSOS"
November = General Lee sent to the
state department the communications Of
two gentlemen whose names he says he
suppressed for obvious reasons. but whom
be knows personally as standing high in
the community, concerning the condition
in Los Fosos ithe djtches) in Havana.
The communication says. among other
things:
-Four hundred and sixty women and
children thrown on the ground heape6
peii neil as animals some in a dying con-
1luoD. others sick. others dead without
the slightest cleanliness or the least help.
not able 10 give water 20 The thirsty.
without religious or social help. each one
dying wherever chance laid him
The communication goes on 10 state that
the death among these reconcentradoes
averages forty OF fifty daily. that on an
average there were but ten days Of life
for each person. Il says ihat these an
happy creatures receive food only after
having been eight days n the Fosos dur
Ing which time they were Obliged 10 sub
sist upon the bad food which he dying ;
had refu sAd-
HORRIBLE INSTANCES
Some horrible Instances OF the distress
witnessed are given
Among the many deaths We saw" says :
the communication, there Vas seen one ;
npossibie 20 forget. There is SIN alive
the only witness, a young SIR. OF eight
ern. whom We found seemingly Ife.sss ~ {
the ground. On her riga. side was the ;
body Of young mother sold and rigid. !
out with her young child sun alive,