The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-03
Cruiser Montgomery and GunbOat
Nashville to Take CargOes of
Food to RecOncentradOs.
NEITHER WILL VISIT HAVANA
THEIR STAY AT THE DISTURBED ISL
AND TO BE VERY BRIEF.
MachinIsts and Firemen Needed by
the Navy Department-One ship
Sent to Venezuela.

WASHINGTON, March 2-The decision
of the Navy Department to send two ships
to Cuba with supplies for the suffering re-
concentrates caused some commotion in
official circles to-day until the real purport
of the visit of the ships came out The
cruiser Montgomery and the gunboat Nash
vile 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 Department 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 noncombat-
ants in Cuba. 1t was represented to the
department that great distress prevails
among the 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 infrequent visits of
merchant ships. On this account and be-
cause of the immediate demand for supplies
at the points indicated, the officers of the
association requested the secretary of the
navy to authorize the use of one or more
of the war ships at Key West in the trans
portation there of food supplies contributed
by the charitable people of the United
States in response to the appeals of Presi-
dent Mckinley and Secretary Sherman. Sec
retary Lcng conferred with the President
on the subject, and it was decided to COM
ply with the request. The Montgomery and
the Nashville were selected as most suit
able for the service, and the necessary or
ders were dispatched to Admiral Sicard.
The Montgomery will go TO MatanZas and
the Nashville to Sagua la Grande, with the
understanding that they win remain in
those ports only long enough to deliver the
supplies to the agents of the association
for distribution where they will do the most
good Although the mission assigned 10
the war ships win 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
10 remove the impression that had got
abroad to the effect that the relations be-
tween the Navy Department and the House
naval committee were not harmonious Sec
retary Long this afternoon gave out d
short statement on the subject 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 everything that can be
done for the navy. In his annual report
the secretary recommended that 800 men
be added to the enlisted force on account
or the increase In the number of ships The
naval committee of which MIR Boutelle is
chairman, has already decided to grant this
increase In the regular naval appropriation
bill. Meantime, Ii there should be any inn
mediate necessity for more men, the same
committee, and Mr.. Boutelle as its chair
man, are ready TO make provision To that
effect at once
MOVEMENTS Or WAR SHIPS.
Captain Chester. commanding the South
Atlantic station, was also heard from, his
eablegram relating 10 the docking of the
gunboat castine, now at Port of France.
The department has sent him the neces-
sary authorization and the ship will go into
the dry dock there. Although the Navy
Department had no reports from Havana
or Key West, a dispatch announcing the
departure OF the cruiser Brooklyn from
Santa Lucia for Laguayra had some indi
rect significance In further removing one of
the larger vessels OF the navy from what
has thus far been the common center of
naval activity. at Key West. The Brooklyn