The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-06
His Interesting Subject Was "The
United states and Cuba i'm War
and Peace"
BLOWING UP OF THE MAINE
4 DRAMATIC RECITAL OF THAT
ANTE-wAR TRAGEDY.
Conditions in the Island Before and
After SPANS Brief Tilt with the
United States.

BY one of the most distinguished Amer
leans of the last half century. Gen. Fitz
Hugh Lee, Of Virginia. the dramatic and
soui-stirring events that preceded the fall
Of the Spanish empire in America were
painted in vivid colors last night TO an
audience that filled English's opera House.
The moving incidents through which Cen
eral Lee himself passed during the few
months preceding the destruction Of the
battleship Maine were told with a simple
fervor that stirred hearts with pride in
the Nation n flag. and dampened many
eyes with the tears of pure patriotism
The man who faced Weyler undaunted
and compelled him by an exhibition Of
moral courage unsurpassed in diplomatic
annals to free American citizens from
~ever-haunte cells, who faced the dagger
n bullet of the Spanish bravo a thousand
times in the performance of his duty, who
stood alone and unbacked by battleships
for months amid the s~narling Spaniards Of
Havana as the sole representative of the
United States government in Cuba, and
who finally left with a smile and unterrihed
mien as he strobe through the mob that
Kissed pig dog and beast" described
simply and clearly, as he himself saw them,
the Disappointing scenes that came just
before the hundred days war. The recep-
ton accorded to General Lee was spon-
taneous and sincere. He was cheered many
times during the course Of his address, and
the effort of every one who heard his
speech was to make him realize that In
diana was glad to see him.
Every word of General Lees subject,
The United States and Cuba in Peace and
War; was interesting. but when in the
course Of his talk he came to his own expe-
rience in Cuba people leaned forward and
the house grew a little stiller. The au-
ditors were afraid to miss a word. After
picturing the curse OF the Cuban revolu-
ton up TO the time he went TO Havana,
General Lee said:
A SPIRIT OF RESTLESSNESS.
People in the United States were grow
ing more restless all the time. There was
a stir and hum of discomfort all over the
country. Finally Congress passed a resolu-
ton recognizing the Cuban belllgerents and
it went to President Cleveland. 1t lay on
his table for some time. He was a cautious
man and did not want to plunge the coun-
try into war without a full Investigation.
He sent for me and said:
- want you to go down there and see
just what kind OF people these fellows are
and what kline Of a war they are waging.'
II found that Gomez had stretched his
$1,000 men all over the island and that he
was fighting a waiting ~fight-waiting for
the Intervention of the United States. He
is a good old man, as honest as the day is
long. but he don't know anything about
soldering. l told Mr.. Cleveland that the
war was certain to be prolonged. lie said
TO me: How long do you think a war be-
tween the United States and Spain would
last IL this country declared war; L an
swered that l thought Ii would be no more
than four months. Don't you think there
Is some chance of the Cubans submitting? p
he asked. No, 1 replied, they are waiting
for help from this country and they will
continue to wait Mr.. Cleveland did moth
ing and finally turned the question over to
his successor.
Things were getting more and more bit
ter in Havana. The Spanish officers were
Boosting of what they would do If war
came. Seated around a table in a Havana
cafe one night. a party of Spanish army
lean officers what would follow war. WHY
they said. we would land an army in Flor
ida, we would march straight up the coast,
and would dictate the terms of peace i'm
the steps of your capital. What would you
do then?'
"'oh. don't know said one of the
Americans. Not much of anything if you
did not kick up much OF a fuss and went
along behaving yourself. If you did not
we would likely have you taken up by the
police
Jus at that time" continued General
Lee. II was learning that the only way
10 get along with Weyler, the Spanish gov
ernor general, was TO talk back TO him.
He told other consuls in Havana that |
was the only one of the lot who stood
ground with him and he liked me for IL.
One day l found that a party Of Americans
had been arrested and thrown into prison.
They were put in incommunicado cells of
the foulest nature. | went 10 Weyler and
said; You've got to take those men out
of there He said: Il won't do it, and
there we were for awhile. Finally / had
my way, and the men were released.
AMERICAN WOMEN IN PRISON.
zone day l heard that a party of Amer
lean women had been thrown into prison,
and l went to where they were confined
myself. L saw that the conditions were
horrible at first glance. After l had talked
with them a few minutes 1 noticed standing
over in a corner one OF the prettiest girls
1 ever laid my eyes on. She was beauti-
fully formed. with great lustrous black
eyes. She was listening TO what we had tc
say eagerly. although she did not under
stand a word of il. She engaged my inter
| est, and inquired who she was. l found
that she had been imprisoned as the leader
OF rebels on the Isle OF Pines. 1t seems
that the girl had gone there with her father
and sister and had at once struck the fancy
OF the Spanish commandant. He made
love to her, but she would have none OF
him.. on her behalf the Cubans on the
Isle of Pines organized a little revolution.
She was captured at length anad taken Il
Havana. Well, as l say, l was interested
in her. / determined 70 help her out OF
the scrape If L could. Weyler had gone out
of the city on a chase for Gomez. as he
said, and l went TO the second in command
and told him that the girl ought not be
kept in so foul a hole. He was very polite,
and after an inspection Of the prison had
her taken TO an upper part of the same
building just constructed. Right then and
there some Americans in Havana deter
mined 20 rescue her. They engaged the
house adjoining and took a ladder
into 1t with the fimsy explanation
that they wanted 10 whitewash it
They managed to cut the bars OF
her window and to drag her through il
She was hurried into a cab at the door anC
driven 10 the house of one OF the number
A few days later. dressed as a boy with Z
/ cigar in her mouth. she walked down to tn,
steamship Quay with one CT the rescueTs
After several narrow escapes she was 20
on board a vessel ready TO leave for New
York. The peril was over. l am glad Il
say that she married the young man wine
took her TO the steamer and who had born,
a valiant part in the rescue. Her escap,
i~ncensed Weyler. and l think he had
suspicion that l had something 70 do Will
IL. He became more and more touchv. anC
4 4 If1 not Ernu- hat fhaf 4 V,F-Ls -.