The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-03

dental expenses, and General Lee mad to
go back to the hotel. where he was ten
dered reception. He took the incident
good c-humoredly, but his friends here are
much incensed.
In an interview to-day General Lee
stated with emphasis that he was in pol
itiCs to stay. but when asked If he would
oe a candidate for United States Sena-
tor from Virginia. he said that. matter
would develop itself and he would cross
the bridge when he came to it.
He added he had not vet opened any
campaign.
CUBAN SITUATION.
Referring to Cuba and the movement to
reduce the sugar tax. he said he agreed
heartily with General Wood S recommend
atoms, and added:
'To put the matter in nutshell, the
Cuban must he employed or he will breed
irsurection like his cousin in the Latin
American Republics. Some of the Cuban
sugar estates are OF vast proportions and
employ hundreds of men when in full op-
Grafton.
The sugar growing industry is largely
II The hands of Americans. While the Brit
lsh and Germans dominate the railway
and commercial interests.
"A reduction Of tAe tariff will encour-
age the planters to cultivate their fields
very large number of laborers
Il vii! go further and say I think
the Uuited States owes it to Cuba, to
promote her prosperity in every posi-
BILE manner that is consistent with sound
policy
WARD OF UNITED STATES.
Cuba will be a ward of the United
States for years to come. The incorpora-
tion of lne Platt amendments in her
Constitution means nothing less than
this: it might be said these amend
ments We're cramn1ed down the Cubans'
throats. The capacity Of the Cubans for
self-government Is a grave problem
and every factor possible should be
eliminated from it. If the Island is pros
porous, lif labor is steadily employed, Gu
ba may work cut her salvation.
But if depression and discomfort come,
the United States will be forced to send
an army of occupation over there again
to protect not only the interests of
Americans. but those Of the English and
the Germans which this government has
guaranteed, shall be preserved. So
am of the opinion that a reduction of
tariff duties is in all respects the wise
thing to do It will save the expendi-
ture of vast sums of money and of
much blGodshed."
Referring to the Philippines situation,
General Lee said:
The people Of America should not
make up their verdict until they hear
both Sides
WAR A CRUEL THING.
WAR at its best is a cruel thing. Re-
member how Sheridan and Sherman de-
wasted the South And we burned Cham
bersburg in our invasion of Pennsylva-
MIA
IN time of war conditions arise and
must be dealt with on theSspur of the
rlcment before excitement has had time
to subside I will give you an in
stance in which I issued what might be
called a bartoaric order and vet 1
hope I am a human man. / descended
upon a portion of Sheridans force which
had occupied Ashland. a beautiful town
near Richmond. where many of the peo-
pie of that city had susnmeT houses.
Each of the enemy.s troopers had a
wiso of burning hay with which he was
erdeavoring to fire a house. In my in
dignation I issued m order that if one
of these houses became wrapped in
flames. the man who set it ablaze. should
be thrown into it. Subsequently. I coun-
termanded the order. but at the moment
I felt it was just4Aab.e.
General Lee laughed at the suggestion
that his name would be put before the
National Democratic Convention as a
candidate for Nice-President. He left
to-day for Indianapolis.