Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-07

left New York on one Of the Mallory
Line boats yesterday, and is due at Key
west next W Wednesday. The transfer Will
take a day, and the plan has been to
have the government ship start next
Thursday for Cuba.
The decision of the American Govern
ment TO send supplies TO the reconcen-
tradoes in Cuba was arrived at early in
the week. General Lee had represented
that he had been unable to distribute the
goods that had been received in answer
to the proclamation Of the President to
the American people He reported that
many tons Of these supplies were stored
In Habana, and could not be forwarded
to the eastern end OF the island. The
United States consuls at MatanZas and
Sagua la Grande had come in person TO
Habana TO seek for relief, after repart--
ing to the State Department the terrible
conditions existing in their respective
districts. The State Department imme-
dately instituted inquiries, and learning
that the original decree Of the Spanish
Government, authorizing the free admis-
sion of supplies, applied only to the port
of Habana, secured permission for the
free reception Of these supplies at all
ports The next obstacle met was the
difficulty OF trans-shipping the goods
from Habana eastward, there being only
a semi-weekly service by steamer, and
that subject TO many vexatious local re-
strctions.
When the United States cruiser Mont
gomery returned from her cruise, which
included the Cuban ports of Matanzas
and Santiago, the officers brought har-
rowing tales OF the distress existing
there. Captain Crowninshield, the Chief
of the Navigation Bureau of the Navy
Of hn
discretion and judgment was on the
ship, an accidental passenger. He told
President Mckinley directly what he had
learned.
The result was the immediate decision
Of the Navy Department TO accede to
the request Of the Relief Committee in
New York, to forward their supplies to
the eastern ports of Cuba. One of the
American lines of steamships running to
New York had offered to take the boun-
tiful provision OF the American people
TO Key West, and the government gave
the order for it's carriage to eastern
Cuba by any Of the available ships CT
tho North Atlantic squadron.
SPANISH RESISTANCE.
The announcement by the Associated
Press of the purpose Of the government
to send supplies to Cuba on naval ves-
sells was made last Wednesday. Within
twenty-four hours there were signs OF
resistance on the part of the Spanish
Government. AT first this took the shape
Of a formal query by Spanish charge
d'Affaires Senior Dubosc, as TO the cor
rectness Of the report, the inquiry being
couched in an incredulous tone; and
later, when the Affirmation came. there
was lodged aot a formal protest, but
rather an insinuation that the move
-. l..
acceptable; that it would be construed
into an act of active sympathy on the
part OF the government OF the United
States with the insurgents. But the
President had satisfied himself that the
course he had chosen, that of sending
Of supplies in the naval vessel was the
only one that seemed to promise prompt
and efficient relief. There was no time
for diplomatic usages, as General Lees
report stated that hundreds were dying
daily, and Senior Dubosc was 80 informed.
DUBOSC KNOWS LITTLE.
Senior Dubosc, when seen at the Span
ish legation to-day, could add little to
the fund OK information on the two sub
jects which were attracting so much. off,
cial and public attention. He had re-
ceived no word from his government
concerning General Lee, and he stated
ing General Lees retirement had been
submitted by him TO the State Depart
ment.
AS to the sending OF relief supplies by
the Montgomery and Nashville, Senior
DuBosc said that he felt that merchant
vessels were much better equipped for
such service, and the United States
were not open TO misconstruction by
sending supplies in vessels OF the navy.
EXCITEMENT IN WASHINGTON.
The news concerning General Lee
aroused the deepest interest. and no lit
tie excitement. throughout Washington,
and for the time being the usual quiet or
Sunday evening was put aside. In hotei
corridors. at the clubs. and in all public
places 1t was the absorbing topic, ana
not since the Maine disaster was such
widespread popular interest evinced IN
the Spanish situation.