The age-herald., 1897-12-25
AN APPEAL FOR SUPPLIES
The Government Desires Contri- buttons For Cuban Sufferers. WILL BE ADMITTED FREE All Provisions, Medicines Etc., Will Be Sent Direct to Consul General Lee and
 Disposed of By Him.

Washington, Dec. 24-The following ap- peal to the American people. signed by John Sherman, was today issued from the state department:
 By direction of the president, the pub lie is informed that in defference to the earnest desire of the government to con tribute by effective action toward the re- lief of the suffering people in the island of Cuba, arrangements have been perfected by which charitable contributions, in money or in kind, can be sent to the island by the benevolently disposed people of the United States.
 Money, provisions, clothing, medicines and the like articles of prime necessity can be forwarded to Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, the consul general of the United States at Havana and all articles, now dutiable by law so consigned will be admitted into Cuba free of duty. The consul of Cuba has been instructed to receive the same and cooperate with the local authorities and the charitable boards for distribution of such relief among the destitute and needy people of Cuba.
 "The president is confident that the peo- pie of the United States, who have on many occasions in the past responded most generously to the cry for bread from peo- pie stricken by famine or sore calamity, and who have beheld no less generous ac- tion on the part of foreign communities when their own countrymen have suffered from fire and flood, will heed the appeal for aid that comes from the destitute at their own threshold, and especially at this season of good will and rejoicing, give their abundance to this human end.
 De Lome Calls
 The appeal was issued after eonsulta- tion with Minister Dupuy De Lome The Spanish minister called at the state de- partnent about noon today and conferred with Judge Day concerning the relief Of the re-concentrados on the island He made it clear that the Spanish government would cooperate in any relief measures, and there was entire willingness that the supplies go direct to Consul General Lee, instead of through the Spanish relief channels.
 The negotiations have been proceeding for some time. The first active step In this direction was taken by the president on Dec 1, and was in the form of request that the minister learn from his govern ment whether the regular tariff duties would be remtted on relief supplies sent to Cuba. Minister De Lome soon after wards answered that Spain had consented to grant even more than had been request ed. and that the duties had been remitted not only on articles which the president had referred to, but also on all medicines, soap. salt and similar articles of prime necessity which might enter into the plan of relief.
 Bishop Chairman
 The only condition attached was that the supplies go through the regular relef committee established at Havana, of which the Rishop of Havana is the chairman. If was arranged also that supplies sent to inc spanish minister hc:, would be for warded to the authorities at Havana Since then there have been cricisms of the system adopted and reports have come from Ha- vana. ,hat .s .cc lcentradoes were starv- ing as n result of obstacles in the way of transmitting relief. The Spanish authori- ties state, however, that there has been no delay on their part and that since the arrane ems mt was mad no off, of supplies, IT edi, ines, etc. has been made There h IS been a general desire, however, 10 adopt system by which the supplies would go direct to General Lee and as result of the spanlsh minister's call today this will be the plan to be adopted in executing the relief measures under the call now issued.