The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-28

Ii was stated this morning by a pronli-
nent Democratic Senator who IS member
Of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. that
Cen Fitzhugh Lee unwarsIy told the truth
when he stated in st. Louis several days
ago that the American flag was in Cuba
to stay.
The general has. it is said, been severely
scored by Administration officials for his
.indiscretion ami since the cat has escaped
from the bag, the War Department ofa-s
cials have been working overtime denying
a story which the President declares re-
quires no denial and tie Administration
organs have endeavored to explain away
the matter BY a statenent that General
Lee did net mean what he said
According to this Senator, the Admin
istration has never had any idea of letting
Cuba 60 and the constitutional convention
no9 IN session in Havana is said to be
nothing more than shar1, the sole end in
view being te have majority Of the dele-
gates elected TO that body declare in favor
OF annexation to the United States after
month or two OF tinkering on strange
form Of government
Several forces are behind this plan, 1t
is said, which was prepared in Septem-
Der as q peaceable method of securing
the territory which Mr.. Mckinley lad
pledged himself 10 free and place Upon
q stable government basis.
The leading factor is said to be the Gle
1nent in this country which fayors annex
alton. 1t is argued that the island, Being
geographically next door to the United
States. should become part and parcel OF
the American possessions. AEother ar
gument for the sclzsme is the alleged con-
slant danger of European Powers forcibly
picking quarrel with the natives. in the
event of the withdrawal Of American pro-
teetion-with the possibility OF war in
defence of the Mcnroe Doctrine. Finally.
it is stated by the Senator, a powerful
New Philadelphia Syndicate OF in
aneiers holds claims amounting to mil
lions against the island as the bulk OF the
loan issued before war was declared and
Cuba free from Spain was paid These
Ananeiers, It IS said, aided materially IN
the reelection OF Mr.. Mckinley, that the
scheme might be put through. and were
practically assured that the debt would
patG viii AstLCa'SSt F4-S-A S-NSe[ sS~~----~
portion of the United States.
The idea Of holding a constitutional
convention IN which few delegates could
decide she fate of the island, was con-
celved by Americans, it is stated. and the
Administration named number Of the
delegates. according to the Senator, Senior
Gonzales de Quesada, then the United
States Commissioner to Cuba, was chosen
to engineer the plan. Senor Quesada vas
elected a delegate to the convention and
has attended every session He. it is said.
made the motion for secret sessions,
whic., was adopted by a majority OF one
vote.
Il is now stated that by March 4. OF
within a few days afterward, the decision
Of the convention viii be announced The
Administration adherents. it is reported,
are certain OF majority and those who
dare oppose annexa tion after the decision
viii be denounced as nationalists and
friends Of Spain.
Tie party led by Senor Quesads. and
which proposes 20 turn Cuba over TO the
United States, is composed of both Con-
servatives and Radicals, and only a final
vote viii show its strength, since it IS
wen organized and is working quietly.
There is a fair and foul side to this
scheme" said tie Senator. 7 a-a in IA
ror of annexing Cuba 20 the Uaited
States, and I believe millions OF others
think likewise. Cuba is really as much
a portion OF this country as is Key West
ana we should own the island. But am
opposed to taking Cuba without the con-
sent of the Cubans and I favor no under
hand scheme such as this. suppose the
Administration men viii cry for proofs
I have no proofs save what has come to
me as a Senator and the knowledge that
this so-calIed convention will declare for
annexation
Z repeat that General Lee knew
whereof he spoke when he said. The fag
is going to stay there As Consul Gen
erdl and Military Commander in Cuba.
he knows which Eay the wind is going
to blow. He has been a prominent fig
ure in reconstruction in Cuba and his
mistake in making public the scheme OF
the Administration may yet cost him val
liable favors-
His tndiscretion will lead to an inves-
tigation which VIII show many things
which would not be dreamt of had this
convention come out simply fer alnexa-
ton and had the decision been submitted
20 Congress. I predict season of scan
dal when it does come up, but Cuba will
be annexed as surely as New York is a
portion Of the Union"
THE HEALTH OF PADEREwsKI.