His words have proved absolutely true. Not a single witness who had any important testimony to give appeared before the Committee.
The jailers and people around the prison who had had the care of Dr. Ruiz came forward and made statements as to the extremely kind treatment the doctor had received from them, and of the many privileges he had been given.
These accounts General Lee declared to be entirely false. He said he had several witnesses who could have proved the truth of his assertion; but he did not call them for fear of turning the anger of the Government against them.
The result of the inquiry was to have been in a written report, signed by both the American and Spanish Commissioners. The two parties, however, do not seem to be able to agree as to the facts to be stated in this paper. Each objects to signing the report prepared by the other. It is therefore supposed that two reports will be made; one by General Lee to the United States, and one by the Spaniards to the Government in Madrid.
Of course these reports will not agree with each other, and the two governments will, after they get
them, be no wiser than before the Commission began its work.
It is stated that, under General Lee's guidance, Mr. Calhoun has seen a great deal of the sufferings of the people, especially of the unfortunates who have been driven into the towns.
The Cubans in Havana say that he has been much affected by the misery he has seen, and that his report to the President is likely to urge the necessity for immediate action.
The news that the United States is going to send relief to the starving people has got abroad in Cuba. The poor Cubans think that the help will be given to them as well as to the Americans, and they are crowding the doors of the United States consulates, begging for food.
Poor souls, it seems impossible to make them understand that the Consuls are bound to send them away empty-handed, in order to avoid trouble between this country and Spain.