The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-08
! HAS GLOOMY VIEW
OF CU5A'S FUTURE
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee Talks of the
Queen Of the Antilles.
ANARCHY AND ANNEXATION
One or the Other Of These VIII Prevail
He Thinks. and in Any Event Amer
lean Flag Will Return There
and "Stay Put"

WASHINGTON. D. c.. July Per
nars without exception there is no
American better qualified to speak of the
existing conditions and the future OF
Cuba than General Fitzhugh Lee.
General Lee for two years was United
States Consul-General at Havana, and
remained at that post of duty up to the
declaration of war against Spain. when
he entered the volunteer service of the
United States and served in Cuba two
years during the military occupancy OF
the island. Since his return to THIS
country he has been in constant touch
with leading Cubans and Americans III
the island through correspondence, ana
therefore has a general knowledge OF
what is now taxing place III 'iie u"
Cuban republic.
General Lee was here to-day on pri-
vats business. He stopped at the New
Willard.
In discussing Cuba General Lee paint
ed a very gloomy picture for the future
of the Cuban republic-indeed. he coulo
see nothing but hard knocks for the
Cuban government win ire W. -,
internal trouble, which would mean IN
tcrference by the United States, the
hosting of the American flag, which
would stay put.
ANARCHY AND ANNEXATION.
.JTn1ess confidence can soon be estab-
ished in the stability of the Cuban gov
erument," he said. and relief affordeo
bv the United States in the matter OF
the sale of Cuban products. there VIII
no nothing ahead but anarchy and annex
alton.
and anarchy added General Lee,
"means the interference of the United
States. and the hosting Of our tag to
remain over the island
.rhere is no direct taxation in the
island" said General Lee All the
revenues. he added, ARE derived from
customs receipts During the occupancy
of the island by the American forces inc
revenue receipts were very large out
since the withdrawal of American au-
thority the customs receipts have OWN
died perceptibly. American merchants
it seems, have little, If any, confidence
in the new republic They are afraid to
shin goods into Cuban ports, and it IS
this as much as anything else. General
Lee said. that makes the future OF the
Cuban government look so black
TROUBLE PROBABLE
Our merchants are not Wiling 20 llSh
sending goods to Cuban merchants" SAID
canar.l lee when domestic troubles
NAV break out at any moment ana the
goods De seized by a mob. Ihere Is
17,urr11r Of discomfort among the negroes
in the island The negroes perhaps ne
added, 'have some justification tor thls
complaint against the new fepuplc'
They claim not to have been treated lair
bv those in authority in the dlstrlou-
ton of the spoils. Maceo. the negro.
was one of the very best OF the CUBAN
generals and rendered effective service
j., the war for Cuban independence, ana
according to all accounts Maceo and ms
followers have been ignored by the Gu
har government.
list how soon trouble would break out
General Lee was not prepared 20 say
hit il might occur at any moment.
.Is the Cuban Government. General
Lee said. could ever establish confidence
il, its stability and demonstrate that HE
and property were safe, there would be
no end to American capital that would
seek investment in the island.
mo country in the world can exceed
Cus a in the production of sugar and to-
tacco," he rauarked. Cuba is not want
ing In natural resources. and only needs
capital for its development.
AS to- the question of annexation. Cen
eral Lee did not care to commit himself
bevcnd saying that it would be better
if the proposition were advocated by the
Cuban Government.