[Inclosure No. 1, with dispatch No. 704.]
[From La Lucha, of Havana, November 15, 1897.]
MR. LEE SPEAKS.
With the arrival of the consul-general of the United States of America in this island, Mr. Fitzhugh Lee, and because of the rumors published by the press of his country regarding the attitude which the said consular representative would assume, as well as because of the report published by some Madrid paper relative to a banquet given by the New York filibusters to Mr. Lee, everything connected with the latter has again obtained a certain importance.
Yesterday, by the American steamer Seguranca, Mr. Lee arrived from the leave of absence granted to him by his Government.
Desirous of greeting Mr. Lee and of learning the position he would adopt in connection with the new policy which the Supreme Government intends to pursue in this island, we commissioned one of our reporters to interview the distinguished consul-general.
At dinner hour, in the hotel Inglaterra, where he stops, we approached his table and met him in company with the esteemed vice-consul, Mr, Joseph A. Springer.
After exchanging courtesies we inquired, in the first place, for his family. He told us that Mrs. and Miss Lee had remained in Virginia, one of his sons in the Military Academy of West Point, and the other one, Fitz, who accompanied him before, had a position with a railroad company.
Regarding the passage from New York to Havana he told us that he had left the former port last Wednesday, and that on Thursday the wind blew so hard that the Seguranca, notwithstanding her excellent conditions, rolled so much that the general fell in his stateroom, causing himself a slight wound on the forehead.
"What instructions have you received from the President?"
"I have received no special instructions of any kind," he answered. "My functions in the future shall be the same as those of the past; namely, to protect the property and lives of the American citizens in this island, and to encourage the development of the commercial interests of both countries. Nothing further."
With respect to the banquet which, according to a cablegram from New York, published by the Lucha on Saturday, had been given to him in New York by the Cuban filibusters, Mr. Lee told us that he had not attended any banquet there, and consequently made no speech; that he only remained in New York two or three days before leaving for this city, during which period he attended lunches offered to him by personal friends, with no political character whatever.
He says such a telegram is untrue, and he does not know the reason which may have inspired the author of same.
We inquired from Mr. Lee regarding the effect which the first measures of General Blanco have produced in the United States, and he told us that they had been received favorably, as would be all tending to make less sensible the horrors of the war. "In my country," he added, "peace is desired. The last words I heard from President McKinley were: ‘My sincere wish is that peace be not disturbed.'"
"Aside from official circles,” we inquired, “how does the American people think in regard to autonomy, about to be established in Cuba?”
"Outside of official circles," he answered, "not much is known about autonomy, and the popular classes rarely speak of it. Besides, until the new régime does not commence to act it can not be judged, and then they will see how it is received by the Cubans."
We did not wish to occupy any longer the attention of the amiable Mr. Lee, and we took leave of him, thanking him for the deferences he has always shown to the Lucha.
Mr. Lee to Mr. Day.
No. 709.]
Havana, November 23, 1897.
Sir: Someone handed me yesterday the inclosed paper, of which I accompany a translation, and which purports to be signed by the insurgent chief in command of the Havana province.
I am, etc.,
Consul-General.
