Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-20
LEE AWAITS ORDERS.
THE GENERAL EXPECTS THEM
SHORT TINE NOW.
CUBA DOESN'T WANT RECOGNITION.
Says the Insuracnt.
Would Prefer to Form Their own
Government-,Iiss Cisneros and Mr.
CarbOnefI mt Jefferson Last Might.

General Fitzhugh Lee was very busy
man yesterday. spending most OF the day
closely confined in his library with
stenographer. The General had an ac-
cumulated correspondence OF some eight
hundred letters to answer. and he went
at the task with a will Immediately after
breakfast. and remained at his desk until
late in the afternoon. Last night he at
tended the reception az sae jefferson. and
divided honors with Mrs. Jefferson Davis.
The General was seen by Dispatch man
after the reception, and said he had prac-
tically no information TO give cut He
said he had received no Information or
orders from Washington, and was simply
awaiting advices nv which his movements
would be governed. Being asked from
whom he expected orders he answered
unhesitatlngly, the State Department. lie
said he was still connected with that de-
Iartment and had not yet been trans
ferred to the War Department. though he
anticipated such transfer when he was
commissioned an officer in the army.
Until that time. however. ho said he was
still Consul-General TO Cuba.
DON'T WANT RECOGNITION.
Tho General expressed himself as being
very well pleased with the resolutions as
finally adopted by Congress. and said
he was glad that the Turpie clause was
stricken out for ho was opposed 70 the
recognition Of the present Government OF
Cuba. This government. the General said.
he did not think would be acceptable to
the grea- mass OF Cubane. They would
much prefer organizing their own gov
erument when the war H. over and tho
resolution as adopted by Congress yester-
day morning left them free 10 do this.
provided Of courEe. Spain Is driven from
the island. The best men in Cuba. as
serted General Lee, are those who are
now fighting the battles against Spain,
and when they come In from the fields
they will want 10 establish government
that is agreeable 10 them.
General Lee said ne hardly knew what
10 expect from Washington now. lie es-
pressed himself AS being confident that
Spain would make no further concessions
90 this government. and that she would
fight before she would evacuate cuba.
He was unwilling to predict the time OF
the issuance by the President OF his pro-
clamaton OF war. but said he thought ir
would come within the nest few DAYS.
As soon as IT was issued. be said a cal
for troops would undoubtedly be made.
and volunteers would be asked for from
every state i'm the Union
LENGTH OF THE WAR.
General Lee was asked the point blank
question If he Thought that a war with
Spain would be- prolonssd 20 ANY great
extent and at first be hesitated to make
reply. lie finally answered. however. that
"a. e
ccrned. n would hardly take moro than
three or four weeks 10 drive tha Spanish
from that island. The naval struggle.
he thought, might be- prolonged indan-
nitely. The General also expressed tna
belief that the hcst blow would boz struck
by the navy. and that the war would De
well under way before the land forces
could expect 10 get into the fracas.
While. of course. any statement that
General Lee now makes concerning his
entrance OF cuba in command OF troops
IS syni-ofiiclal it Is pretty well assured
that he will 20 back there as a general
officer OF the United States. and Il was
semi-ofiicially announced by him yester-
day that ne would appoint Rev. Or. Hart
ley Carmichael as chaplain ON his STAFF.
The General also expects 10 have Vir-
gina troops under his command, and it
Is pretty well settled that the Blues Bat
TALON will be with him should they DC
ordered 20 the front.
THE CUBAN HERO.
Among those who attracted most at
tenti0n at the Jefferson last night were
Miss Evangelina Cisneros. the pretty
Cuban heroine. and MIR. g. i. Carooneh,
the handsome young Cuban banker. who
so gallantly assisted IN her rescue from
a Spanish prison.
Mr.. Carbonen is most inteDsstins
gentleman and a charming cOnyersa.
tiOnallst Since his brief stay AT the JEFF
ferson he has met quite a. number of
Richmond gentlemen, and has grown
popular.
He talks Interestingly Of the Cuban
situation, and i'm such manner that one
feels that ne has visited Habana. The
f0rtihcatlOns and forts defending tho
Cuban city are graphically described by
Mr.. Carbonell.
II IS like reading an exciting story 10
listen 10 his account Of the rescue OF tho
beautiful Cuban girl. After she mad been
released from prison. and he had big
hand i'm that act, the young lady was
taken In a carriage by him and driven 20
his home. where apartments had been
set aside There she stayed three days.
and. assisted by Mr.. Carbonclls servants,
worked on her disguise.
SHOES TOO SMALL.
Everything was perfect except the
shoes. and they were too small. so "a.
larger pair were secured Tor her. Then
the trip was made 10 the wharf. and the
young lady was soon aboard ana safe.
She held "A cigar between her teeth. but
did not light it. as has been reported.
Mr. CarbOneu. as soon as tna boat got
away. called UP Karl Decker and in
formed him that the young lady had got
ten safely away.
The cuban gentleman laughed heartily
when ne told how the General OF Police
had told him that he would cat his own
throat II the escaped prisoner had gone
out OF Habana harbor.
Mr.. Carbonell tells other interesting
stories about exciting times In Cuba, but
they were not told for publication. He
will go to Washington with General Leo,
and will make an effort 70 enlist for
the war I'm the navy.
il has been generally understood hero
that Miss Cisneross father was killed by
Spaniards, but Mr.. Carboneli says the
old gentleman IS In Jacksonville. Fla
II h probable that the young Cuban
banker viii return 10 Richmond after
his visit 20 Washington and before going
to the front.
The ladies' who have consented TO as
sist I'm the Blues Bazaar are requested
10 meet at the Masonic Temple this MORN
ing at half-past 10 o'clock.
by THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGE
MENTS