The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-03
TWO WAR SHIPS TO CUBA
GOVERNMENT VESSELS PICKED OUT
FOR A MISSION OF MERCY
Neither of the Vessels Under Orders
VIII Enter the HarbOr of Havana
Excitement at Washington
Over the Maine Affair Dying Out
With Lapse of Time.

WASHINGTON, March 2-The de-
cision of the navy department to send
two ships to Cuba with supplies for the
suffering reconcentrados caused much
commotion in official circles today.
until the real purport of the visit of
the ships came out. The cruiser Mont
gomery and the gunboat Nashville
were selected for the purpose and or
ders were sent to Admiral Sicard to
put them in shape for the required
service.
1t is explained at the navy depart
ment that this action was taken at the
instance Of the Cuban relief association
organized through the efforts of the
state department for the relief of the
destitute non-combatants in Cuba. II
was represented to the department that
great distress prevails among people
in the vicinity of Sagua la Grande and
MatanZas on the northern coast of the
island, and that considerable difficulty
is experienced in sending supplies there
because Of the infrequeKt visits Of the
merchant ships.
On this account and because of the
Immediate demand for supplies at the
points Indicated, the officers of the as
sociation requested the secretary of the
navy to authorize the use of one or
more Of the warships at Key West in
the transportation there of food sup
plies contributed by the charitable peo-
pie of the United States
Secretary Long conferred with the
president on the subject and 1t was de-
cided to comply with the request The
Montgomery and the Nashville were
ice, and the necessary orders were dis
patched to Admiral Sicard
No Visit to Havana.
The Montgomery will go to Matan-
zas and the Nashville to Sagua la
Grande with the understanding that
they will remain in those ports ONLY
long enough to deliver the supplies to
the agents of the association for dis
tribution where they will do the most
good.
Although the mission assigned to the
warships will take them both within a
short distance Of Havana, estimated at
from two to four hours, it Is stated that
neither vessel will visit the Cuban
capital.
To remove the impression that had
gotten abroad to the effect that the re-
lations between the navy department
and the house naval committee were
not harmonious, Secretary Long today
gave out short statement on the sub
ject. He said:
Congressman Boutelle has been misunder-
stood. The congressman, who is one of the
most patriotic men in the world is always
ready to do every thing that can be done
for the navy
In his annual report, the secretary recon-
mended that 1,5G0 men be added to the en-
listed force on account of the increase in
the number of ships. The naval committee
of which Mr.. Boutelle is chairman has al
ready decided to grant this increase in the
regular naval appropriation bill. Meantime
if there should be any immediate necessity
for more men the same committee and Mr.
Bouteile as its chairman ready to make
provision to that effect at once.
A cablegram came from Gen. Lee
during the day to the state department
but 1t made no reference to the Maine
affair, being devoted to the periodical
statement of the amount of tobacco
that is being shipped from Cuba to
United States ports, thus giving evil
dence Of the actual removal of the ex-
port prohibition decree
Naval News.
Capt. Chester, commanding the
South Atlantic station, was also heard
from, his cablegram relating to the