The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12
CONSUL GENERAL LEE.
His Cheering Messages to His Wife
and Son in Richmond.

Richmond Va.) Dispatch, April 6.
General F'itzhugh Lee. Virginias distin-
himself, his native State, and this govern
ment, filled tie responsible position of Con-
slil General to Cuba, cabled his wife yester-
day to feel no alarm concerning his safety.
He advised her that he was enjoying ex-
cellent health, and entertained no fear of
bodily harm at the hands of the Spaniards.
General Lee is not a man to entertain
fears Of any kind so long as his own per-
sonal safety is alone concerned: He feels
amply able to take care of himself, and has
so written his wife repeatedly, but in his
present letters to her he has expressed some
fears concerning the safety of American
tourists and other citizens of this nation
who are now on the war-clouded island.
Mrs. Lee has for some time been exceed
iI.gly anxious concerning her husband, and
the newspaper reports of the danger that
threatens him in event of a declaration of
war with Spain have increased her uneasi-
ness no little. Twice a week she receives
long, CHEEKY letters from General Lee, in
which he gives her every detail of his life
among the Spaniards, and while, as already
stated, he assures her that no danger
threatens him, she feels apprehensive that
Spanish treachery may cause him injury,
and hence it is that the General has begun
cabling her daily.
Mr.. F4tzhugh Lee, jr, General Lees eldest
son, who recently returned from Havana,
whittier he went for the purpose of allay-
ing in a measure his mothers anxiety feels
that his father is amply able to take care
of himself. The young man was seen at the
Jefferson last night by q Dispatch man, who
talked with him concerning the message
his father had sent to Washington express
i've Of 3larm for American citizens If a dec
laration of war is promulgated before Sun
day. Mr. Lee had read the press accounts
of the telegram, and said that he felt as his
father did, that if war was declared against
Spain while Americans were on the Island
of Cuba they would in all likelihood have
trouble with the Spaniards. He alluded to
the vast number of Spanish regulars who
were stationed in and about Havana, and
to their open opposition to Blancos admin
iStration, and said that in his opinion they
would not hesitate for a moment to kill
General Lee or any one else if they became
infamed. He said. though, that they were
controlled by the fact that only such news
from abroad as the censor permitted them
to receive was given them, and this led him
to believe that his father would be safe. In
the event, too. that they did receive news
thought that they would fear too much the
consequences of international law to do
bodily harm to his father.
Being asked If he had received any init
nation from his father as to when he ex-
pected to return to this country, Mr. Lee
said he had not You may rest assured"
said he that father will not leave Havana
until he has safely transported all Ameri-
cans who desire to leave to this country.
He will be the last one to leave the island
usual and fears no trouble, though he con-
Stantly meets SpaniardS on the streets. OF
late however, he has remained more close
ly in his Office but this he explains in his
having ceased 20 visit the island. he has
fewer Interruptions and is able TO devote
almost his entire time to the very eXactng
duties of his responsible and delicate posi-
ton. Father will come home all right when
the time arrives, but until that time does
arrive he will remain closely at his post
attending to the duties that devolve upon
him.