The Mena star., 1898-03-16
RELIEVING TIE DESTITUTE.
rhe Noble Work of Americans Being Actively Pushed by the Relief
 Commissioner in Cuba.
SENATOR HALE BELIEVES WAR IMMINENT


 the Maine Disaster-The Cabinet Meet
 ing-Eniisting at New Orleans Court
 of Inquiry.
 HAVANA, March 15.-Up to ten o'clock this morning nothing more had been heard concerning the death of Mrs. Thurston, wife of Senator Thurs ton. of Nebraska, who died yesterday on board the American yacht Anita at Sagua la Grande. The Anita left that place at midnight with the body and she congressional party for Key West Relief Commissioner Klopsch is de. yeloping great activity in pushing the work of relieving the destitute all over the island. For that purpose he is taking steps to establish imme- dIasely relief headquarters at Pinar del Rio, Havana, Matanzas, Cardenas, Sagua la Grande, Cienfuegos, Trini- dad. Manzanillo and Santiago de Cuba, so as to provide for more prompt aid for those who are suf- fering in the small towns in the interior of the island where there is great distress The commis- sioner is also selecting statistics re- rarding the reconcentradoes at each of the towns mentioned, so as to en- able the relief workers to send the quantity of food needed daily. About 465 tons of supplies are expected by the commissioner this week and next week he expects about 5000 tons, which will provide the sufferers with food for about 20 days aud greatly im- prove their general condition.
 It is reported here that the Spanish cruiser Vizcaya, at the request of the Spanish residents of Mexico, will visit Vera Cruz 1t is further reported that the Spaniards at that place have de- cided to present the Spanish govern ment with a warship of the same size as the Vizcaya. Spanish troops to the number of i,400 arrived here to-day from Spain. Senor Raefel Arazosa, a prominent resident of this place, has presented the Spanish government with the coasting steamer Pillar, in order that she may be armed as a war ship
 senator Hale Fears War.
 BALTIMORE, Md, March 15.-Senator Eugene Hale. chairman of the senate committee on naval affairs, is here for few days on private business. To reporter, who is an intimate friend, he said: Fl have been stead fastly refusing to discuss the Spanish situation with newspaper men. l do not want to be questioned about the situation, but yon may say that l do not believe in war War is a great blunder; 1t is great crime. But fear the newspapers may drive us in- to it. believe the best way to avoid war is to he prepared for it.. The senator, in conversation with several friends, said he regarded the situation as serious and thinks the country is in danger of an encounter. He indorses the action of the president in malS ing the most active preparations for war and believes the Maine was de- stroyed by an outside agency.
 Committee Action Postponed.
 WASHINGTON. March i5. The senate committee on naval affairs had under consideration to-day the resolution in strnctng it to make an investigation of the Maine disaster and decided by vote of six to five to postpone action Tor the present This action was pre- eeeded by sharp exchange of words between the advocates of immediate action and those who think the active investigation should be deferred in order to permit the administration full opportunity to press it's own investiga- hon through the naval board of in- qulry. After the decision was reached not to go on with the inquiry to the extent of summoning witnesses, it was suggested that steps should be taken py the committee to secure from the navy department all the information Tn It's possession, and this suggestion was adopted.
 Tn. Cabinet Meeting.
 WASHINGTON, March 15.-Nothing of special importance was developed at to-day's cabinet meeting. A large part of the time was consumed in the general discussion of the measures be- Ing taken to place the navy on proper footing for defense in case of trouble. The question of the purchase or warships where they could be had, ana at what price, was talked over put without coming to any definite conclusion on any new propositions information in possession of the gov ernment is to the effect that up to this 'ime Spain has not consummated the purchase of the Gillian warship OHig- gins. The indications, it is stated, seems to be that this ship also will be