Evening journal., 1903-11-28
GENERAL Lee
TALKS ON CUBA
Interesting Description of
His Experiences There
During Trying Times
COMPLIMENT TO JUDGE GRAY

Gays FoOPlo 10 Noh nave 10 20 Out-
side of Wilmington to Find a Man
Capable of Steering the Ship of
State.
At the Opera House last night General
Fitzhugh Lee entertained a small audi
ence for two hours with his "reminiscences,
and a delightful two hours 1t was.
The audience was small and qhe house
was cold. but there was a warmth OF
greeting and a response to the sallles of
wit and the dramatic recital Of events in
which General Lee had participated that
demonstrated the character Of the audi
ence.
General Lee in manner Is most charm
ing end democratic. His wide experience
in great affairs. Ms participation in many
a trying situation added to the drcum-
stances Of his biuth and training have
lprodued a man OF charming personality.
He is not an orator and throughout his
address there was no striving for effect:
IN manner and IN language he was as sim
pie as one who IN conversation relates his
experiences. And they were stirring ex-
periences too. and 1t IS a wonder that the
building was not packed TO the doors. 1t
was ar occasion OF great interest; on the
platform was a man who Is descended
from one OF the greatest families OF this
country. He had been an important fig
ure in 1.-THE civil war. He was present at
Appomattox at tine surrender and there
mad tasted the dregs OF defeat.
At later period he had represented
this country in Cuba az the time that Is
land was endeavorng to throw OF the
yoke of Spain. From the window of his
hotel he saw the smoke and fire that fol-
lowed the destruction Of the Maine, and
he iSnew Weyler and Blanco. His picture
Of those tsirring times was graphic and
intensely simple and dramatic. He des-
crfbed rhe release OF Miss Clsneros from
her prison by American newspaper men,
her escape TO New York. and referred TO
the suspicion OF Weyler that he himself
had a hand in It. At this point On the
narrative Judge Gray. who sat on the
lplatofrm smilngly inquired whether Wey-
Ter was right, and General lee smilingly
refused TO satisfy his curiosity.
He decribed the reconccntrado camp.
and told Of the most horrible scenes az
lhad Witnessed; OF men and women dyunl
s5, -thoueands; OF ohiidfcn, |l>lIll.ll.r .-.ss
their lives in their mothers AIMS because
lof starvation. He denied that the Maine
had been sent at mis- request. and said
the official correspondence IN Washing
ton would bear out the statement
He gave a vivid picture Of the situation
in Havana before and after blowing up
the Maine. His safety was menaced every
moment. One day as he was sitting in a
room alone with his back to the wall and
his hand on his revolver a man dirty
and begrlmed wearing an old linen dusler
entered. giancing furtively around. and
Inquired II that was General Lee When
told that it was, he declared that he was
an American citizen and wanted ito get
back TO the States. He had been with the
linsurgent army and had been badly in
/ iured by falling from his horse. General
Lee gave orders TO have him cleaned up
and sent through 10 the UniteJ States by
underground railroad. But before leaving
the irsurgent came TO thank him, and
said, General, I am from Kansas. and
my name is Fuderic Funston" Thus, g"
said General Lee. Il am Indirectly respon-
sible for the capture OF AgInaldo."
General Lee exhonorated the Spanish
officials from any responsibility for bdow-
ing up the Maine. but 49, evident his
belief that the minor officers dn the works
on shore just abrest Of the ship had sunk
an Internal machine under her bow. His
recital Of the occurrences at his depart
ure from the island was dramatic, when
he asked the officers on the ship TO look
at the flag of Spain floating so proudly
as they would never see it on the Island
again.
There were many pleasing accidents OF
the evening. The speaker was introduced
/ by General Wilson who had been at Wesl
Point when Lee was there. He told OF his
first visit to Virginia during the war
when he was looking for Lee and of his
reception, and General Lee replied in a
similar strain.
Near the close OF the lecture the speak.
er referred to our splendid republic and
described the character Of the man who
ought ITO be at its head. turning to Judps
Gray who occupied a seat on the stage
he remarked: And you don't have TO ye
loutside of your own city to get such \
man." This elected generous applause
during which the subject OF st sat with
face as impassive as a marble statue.
on the stage were seated as distinguish.
led a company as one is accustomed to see,
Judge Gray. General Wilson. Anthony
Higgins, Chancellor Nicholson and Cen.
leral Hayes OF the army. After the Sec.
lture an impromptu reception was held.