The sun., 1897-05-26
TO TAX RELIEF SUPPLIES f!
SPAIN WANTS DUTIES ON FOOD FOR
AMERICANS IN CUBA.

The spanish Authorities Say They Can't Remit
for Fear or n Row In tho Cortes-The Army
Con,missnry Department Will Control the
Distribution OF suppiles-A ship Secured.
WASHINGTON, May 25-After discussing with
the members of his official family at several
Cabinet meetings the matter Of devislng means
for distributing relief to the suffering Ameri-
cans in Cuba the President took positive action
this afternoon by turning the whole matter over
to the Commissary Department Of the army.
under direction of the Secretary of War. 1t was
the general opinion expressed at to-day's
Cabinet meeting that the 1000 appropriation
would not be sufficient to meet the demands for
any length of time, as there are 200 Americans
In need Of immediate relief, and 1t Is likely that
unless something is done quickly to bring about
peace between Spain and her rebelious subjects,
the President will have TO ask for more money.
A Ameeting of American Consular officers will be
held in Havana tomorrow to consider means for
making an effective campaign Of relief, and the
result of this exchange of views will be tele-
graphcd the State Department by Consul.Gen-
eral Lee. The Treasury Department to-day placed
the appropriation Of $4,000 at the disposal Of
Disbursing officer Branagan of the State Do
partment, and Gen. Lee will be authorized to
draw on It when the relief plan has been ar
ranged definitely. Commissary General Sulli-
van had talk with Secretary Alger and Assist
ant Secretary Day in the afternoon about pur-
chasing food and other necessities. and will set
TO work at once to carry out the wishes Of the
President.
An unexpected and gratifying solution of part
of the problem came this afternoon. II. A. c.
Smith ana Col. John J. McCook of New York
called at the State Department and rendered to
the Government the use of one of tho Ward line
vessels in transporting food and provisions to
the starving Americans in Cuba. Assistant
Secretary Day, with whom Mr.. Smith and Col.
McCook talked, accepted the offer at once and
agreed to let Mr.. Smith know when the goods
were ready for transportation. The ship will
carry food, clothing, and medicines, and will be
used to convey destitute Americans who de-
sire to leave Cuba across the Gulf. Judge
Day thanked Mr.. Smith, who is one of the Ward
line directors, for his offer, and assured him
that the State Department appreciated 1t. The
money that would have been used In charterinR
fund. Mr.. Smith informed Judge Day that the
vessel might be considered at the disposal Of
the State Department. TO bo used at any time
the Government was ready to transport supplies.
Citizens Of the unted States resdnE IN
Cuba were in distress and that something should
be done for their benefit, It sounded the Spanish
was assured that Spain would gladly cooperate
In distributing supplies. and would throW no
the question came up about the assessment assess 'oi Of
duties on the relief supplies, but the depart
he the
ment meant that no duties would be levied on
the food, medicines, and clothing 1t intended to
citizens.
It has been discovered, however, that the de-
really meant was that Spanish officials would
help the Consular officers of the United States
% dnes 9
Spanish Government, whose idea was that the
supplies would he purchased In Cuba. and not In
General Leo at Havana and Consul Hyatt at
confidence but other Consular officers were sus-
Pected OF sympathy and even collusion with the
tiles did not want them to have hand in giving
out tho supplies. They were afraid that these
pro-Cuban Consuls would furnish aid and com:
fort to the enemy at the expense of the United
The main difficulty in the way of securing
view, is the critical political situation in Ma
drid. The remittance can be secured only by a
afraid to resort to either Of these o methods. To
bring up the subject in the Cortes might prccip-
itate fiery discussion Of the Cuban question
ish authorities that royal decree would surely
result in an Interpolation of the Government
in the Cortes and bring about similar state of
affairs.
Ihis new complication may cause further
delay in the relief measures. 1t comes at a time
when tho President believed every arrangement
had been practically effected for carrying ont
can citizens. Owing TO the scarcity OF suitable
provisions in Cuba and the high prices asked for
them the Government will not abandon its pur.
pose 70 purchase supplies in this country and
Commissary General sullivan will set his Off.
GERS to work without delay: The provisionsw will
York. 1t has not been decided whether officers
OF the commissary department shall accompany
the relief ship TO Havana and assist in tho dis
tribution.
Secretary Porter said to-day that Commits
sioner Calhoun. now in Havana, would probably
would make n verbal report to the President of
his findings in the Ruiz case. When Mr.. Cal
houn left Washington it was his intention to
remain in Cuba until he had secured all the evi-
dence possible touching on the death of pr.
interior Of the island. but expected to secure all
the facts in Havana.